#24 Mark 12:18-44 "Debating the Bible"

Questions are powerful, questions open up new possibilities and questions show us new realities. In Mark 12:18-44, Jesus answers and asks several key questions. Is there life after death? What is the meaning of life? Who is God? How should I live my life? Opening Questions Jesus asked 307 questions throughout the Gospels. Why did Jesus ask so many questions of those who followed him? How do questions open us up to new realities? Jesus was asked 183 questions throughout the Gospels. Why did people have so many questions to ask Jesus? What role do questions play in the Christian life? Is There Life After Death? (12:18-27) Why do you think belief in the life after death is the majority opinion? How do Christians defend this opinion with facts and evidence? Have you met anyone who seems to have a standard "trick question" ready for a Christian? What was the question? Have you prepared a good answer in case you hear that question again? How did the law of levitate marriage address issues important to the ancient Near Eastern Culture? How should your culture address issues of widowhood and inheritance? What are some mistaken ideas about what heaven is going to be like? Why do people project such ideas onto the Biblical teachings about heaven? Some people are indifferent about heaven because they think it will be boring. How would you respond to that attitude? When Jesus debated the Sadducees, He used evidence from one of the five books of Moses. Why? How should His example impact the way we address those who disagree with biblical teaching? Which Biblical description of heaven is most often overlooked, ignored, or mistaken? What biblical description of heaven is the most encouraging for you and why? What’s the Meaning of Life? (12:28-34) How do many of the people you are connected to answer the question about what is the meaning of life? How would you try to summarize the teaching of the whole bible in a sentence or two? Books and movies often tell us that love is the supreme virtue. How does their definition of love often fall short of the Bible's emphasis? In what way is the command to love God completely more difficult than the Ten Commandments? What do "heart, soul, mind, and strength" represent individually and collectively? How would you respond to the person who says, "Jesus is telling us we need to learn how to love ourselves first then to love others?" How is obedience to to these two great commands different from observance of religious ritual? How do you explain that God commanded Israel to observe the sacrificial rituals? Who is God? (12:35-37) What is the value of publicly debating theological questions? IS there value even if none of the participation change their views? Why is the teaching method Jesus uses here-asking a question-often effective? What is the theological significance that Jesus is the Son of Mary and a descendant of King David? How would you respond to those who argue that none of the Psalms were actually written by David but were only written in his honor or in his style? Explain the conundrum in Psalm 110:1 in your own words. What is the meaning of the first "LORD" in small capital letters? What is the meaning of the second "Lord"? What part does the authorship and inspiration of the Psalms play in Jesus' argument? Have you heard Christians joke about spiritual matters or treat God lightly? How did you feel or respond? Can familiarity with spiritual matters bring about disrespect? How can we avoid this reality? How can a pastor or other leader receive the respect and honor he or she deserves without "pulling rank"? Why do spiritual leaders face "stricter judgement" (James 3:1) Is this fair? How you respond to someone who says, "I believe Jesus was a great moral teacher, but that's all"? How Should I Live My Life? (12:38-44) What does the Bible have a lot to say about money and our attitude towards it? What is the significance that the focus of Jesus' attention was a poor widow? What is the purpose of giving an offering? Who are the various parties that benefit? Does your pastor's salary each week have any connection to the amount of the offering? What is the danger in focusing on what benefit you can receive by giving an offering? What is the counterfeit benefit, and what is the true benefit? How would you respond to a preacher or teacher who told you there as a certain percentage that you should give in order to receive a blessing from God? How can knowing God's purposes for money help us to avoid loving money? Does sacrificial giving obligate God to bless us? Does faithfulness? Which is the first priority: Providing for oneself and one's family, or supporting God's work? In what scenario might these things come into conflict? How might a person who gives 10% every week fail to please God? What part does faith play in giving and in the blessing received? What part does gratitude play?