Small Group Notes for 16th March 2025
N.B. Sermon can be heard via our website and YouTube channel and the Paper Service version is on our website.
Read and Reflect: Isaiah 29:13-16 & Mark 12:28-44
Context:
Jesus continues to be tested and answering well. And, with one of his most famous statements – which is in fact, quotes from the Old Testament – his questioners are silenced. And so, as if to drive home his authority he offers his own question (Mark 12:35-37) which finally silences his critics. There then follows a comment and a story, the two instances seemingly unrelated to the discussions and each other. However, these bring us to the key question and back to answer about the commandments, that is, what is the orientation and motivation of our heart?
Questions:
- Notice how quick Jesus is to notice and affirm the genuine seeking heart of this Teacher of the Law (Mark 12:34). What encouragement can we take for ourselves and for others with this God who looks to catch us in, not catch us out?
- Jesus comments contrast the Teachers of the Law (Mark 12:38-40) and the widow (Mark 12:41-44).
- What orientation and motivation of the heart do we think lies behind the different behaviours?
- How does their behaviour relate to the most and next most important commandments (Mark 12:29-31)?
- How do we assess ourselves (especially in the context of Lent as a period of reflection, assessment, and preparation) in the light of the commands and the behaviours of the Teachers of the Law and the widow?
- How can we develop a great love for God?
- How can we develop a greater love for our neighbour?
- The story of the widow is challenging to us. Giving in God’s economy appears to be judged not by what we have given, but by what we have left. How then, does this challenge us?
Small Group Notes for 9th March 2025
N.B. Sermon can be heard via our website and YouTube channel and the Paper Service version is on our website.
Read and Reflect: Isaiah 40:12-17 & Mark 12:13-27
Questions:
- Read Romans 13:1-10.
- What in the light of Jesus’ comments and Romans 13, do we think about taxes and other obligations to authorities?
- What then is our full obligation to God and what does this look like in our daily living? (See Mark 12:17)
- Jesus speaks confidently about eternal life, and challenges the Sadducees, saying, ‘You are badly mistaken.’
- How confident are we about eternal life?
- What can we be confident about, and what should we hold more lightly in regard to eternity?
- How can we help those with unbiblical ideas about life after death – speaking the truth gently and in love – to understand the beauty of God’s eternal gift?
- Jesus shows extraordinary wisdom. See 1 Corinthians 12:8 and James 1:5-8 & 3:13-18.
- What do we need wisdom for in our relationships and perspectives today?
- Ask God for wisdom now.