Mark · Lesson 7
Mystery of the Kingdom of God
Setting
The narrative takes a rare break from its fast-paced action. Here we reflect on four parables about our faith and the kingdom of God. The meaning of these parables was hidden from the people in general, and revealed only when Jesus was alone with His own disciples.
Did you know?
1. Parable (): Derived from the Greek word parabole, which means, “placing next to something”—a comparison. In the New Testament, it referred to the stories Jesus drew from nature and human life. 1
2. Sower (): A farmer scattered his seeds over the entire ground, which caused some seeds to land on the wayside, on stony ground, or among the thorns. 2
3. Stony ground (): Not ground covered with small stones, but shallow soil on top of solid rock. 3
4. Lamp (): In Jesus’ day, people used small clay lamps that burned olive oil drawn up by a wick. 4
5. Mustard seed (): The smallest of the garden seeds known to farmers at that time. Though its seed is so small, a mustard plant grows to a great height 12-15 feet (5-6 m) in one season, and is a nesting place for the birds of the air. 5
Outline
- Jesus Teaches in Galilee
- Parable of the sower
- Seeds sowed on four types of soil
- Parable of the sower explained
- Parable of the Lamp
- Parable of the Measure
- Parable of the Growing Seed
- Parable of the Mustard Seed
- Jesus Explains the Parables Only to His Own Disciples
Questions
On the whole lesson
In this passage, what common things did Jesus mention in His teaching? Elsewhere in the Bible, what other common things did He mention?
Even though Jesus was brought up in a carpenter’s house, He was observant of life outside His circle (evidenced by His familiarity with fishing, farming, shepherding, etc). How can your secular knowledge help you preach the gospel?
Why did Jesus speak in parables? Why did He explain everything only to His disciples (34)?
If Jesus explained everything to His disciples, why are we given the explanation to only one parable?
How can we discern between correct and incorrect interpretations of the Bible?
What is the kingdom of God like to you? How would you describe the kingdom of God?
How much is the seed able to grow and produce in each of the following places? a. Wayside/along the path; b. On stony ground; c. Among thorns; d. On good ground
What does each of the following represent? a. Sower; b. Seed; c. Wayside/path; d. Bird; e. Stony ground; f. Sun; g. Thorns; h. Good ground; i. Crop
List examples of “the cares of this world,” “the deceitfulness of riches,” and “the desires for other things” (19).
What are needed for a seed to produce a crop? (cf. )
How much has the word of God taken root in you? What crops have you produced?
Explain 11-12. Does it mean God does not want everyone to be saved? (cf. ).
Who is “he who has ears to hear” (9,23)? (cf. Rev 2-3).
· Parable of the Lamp
What does the lamp on a stand represent? (cf. ; ; , ; ).
Explain . What does it have to do with the parable of the lamp? (cf. ; ; ; ; Rev 2-3).
· Parable of the Measure
What is the parable of the measure teaching us?
How do the parables of the lamp and the measure help explain why Jesus used parables?
· Parable of the Growing Seed
What is the main point of this parable?
What does the harvest represent?
· Parable of the Mustard Seed
How is the kingdom of God like the growth of a mustard seed?
What is the meaning of birds perching in the shade of the mustard plant?
Sources
- Kenneth Barker. The NIV Study Bible–10th Anniversary Edition, ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995, pp. 1457.
- The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 8, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. Grand Rapids: The Zondervan Corporation, 1981, pp. 648.
- Kenneth Barker. The NIV Study Bible–10th Anniversary Edition, ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995, pp. 1457.
- Kenneth Barker. The NIV Study Bible–10th Anniversary Edition, ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995, pp. 1445.
- Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament. United States of America: SP Publication, Inc., 1985, pp. 51.