The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 11
You can listen to Mark 11 with us below. You can also read the passage in the New Living Translation here.
“When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”
When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city.
The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”
Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.””
Thank you for joining us in listening to Mark 11! You can also find a written copy of Mark 11 in the NLT here.
Below are some questions that made us think. Feel free to journal your answers to one or all of them!
Discussion Questions
1. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the people laid cloaks and branches on the ground for Him while they yelled words of praise and joy. The words they yelled also showed that they thought Jesus was going to help or save them.
- How do you praise Jesus? What are some physical ways of praising Jesus and showing Him honor?
-What has Jesus saved you from? What do you want Jesus to save you from?
2. After Jesus entered Jerusalem He saw what was going on in the temple courts, but because it was late in the day He went to Bethany with His disciples. The next day they returned to the temple and Jesus began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He turned over the tables of the people changing money and the benches of those selling doves. He began to teach and explained why he was doing this. He said, "'The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves'” (verse 17).
-What does this passage show you about Jesus' character?
-What do you think about the fact that Jesus saw what was going on at the temple the night before?
-Have you ever been cheated by religious people? If so, what was that like? How do you think Jesus feels about what happened to you?
-How do you fight greed in your life?
-Would you call your church a house of prayer? Why or why not? Why is prayer important?
3. When some of the religious leaders heard what Jesus said, they began to look for a way to kill Him. In the span of two days, Jesus was intensely worshiped and intensely hated.
- How do you feel about Jesus?
-When has following Jesus caused people to not like you or even hate you?
-How do other peoples' opinions about you influence the way you live?
