As we focus on the crucifixion as described by Mark, Jesus was utterly abandoned by everyone on the cross, including His Father... so we will never be!

Psalm 22
Isaiah 53,59:2
Mark 15:16-41
Philippians 2:6-8
Matthew 16:53
Deuteronomy 21:23
Galatians 3:13
Revelation 22:14-15,22:17
Amos 8:9-10

• Death by crucifixion was one of the cruelest and most degrading forms of punishment ever conceived by human perversity, even in the eyes of the pagan world.46 Josephus described it as "the most wretched of all ways of dying", and the shudder caused by the cross as an instrument of execution is still reflected in the English word "excruciating". Yet in the Roman provinces crucifixion was one of the customary means of preserving public order, and the history of turbulent Judea is punctuated by accounts of men being crucified.
  46

  • J.Blinzler cites Cicero... "Even the mere word, cross, must remain far not only from the lips of the citizens of Rome, but also from their thoughts, their eyes, their ears." Elsewhere Cicero calls crucifixion the grossest, cruelest, or most hideous manner of execution.

  
  William Lane The Gospel According to Mark

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What was it like for Jesus before He came to earth?

• Who were all the groups or individuals who abandoned or rejected Jesus?

• Why was He utterly abandoned?

• What are the implications of this for us?

As we continue in our study of Mark, it is shocking and thrilling to come to the realization: "I am Barabbas"!

Mark 15:1-15,11:1-14:11
Acts 2:36-41
Isaiah 53:7-8

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How did Jesus suffer during this scene?

• What impact does that have on you?

• Why can we say "I am Barabbas!"?

• How does his experience highlight our experience of Christ's love and sacrifice?

• How can I nurture joy, awe and thankfulness everyday based on my Barabbas like experience of Christ?

• How should this affect how I serve the cause of Christ in the world?

The Son of God condemned to death... an innocent man executed... and how this should deeply impact us at multiple levels. Mark exposes this chilling and emotional scene.

Mark 15:1-15
John 18:28-19:6
Matthew 27:19
Acts 7:55-56
Romans 8:31-32

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why should we be shocked at a passage like this given Jesus' dignity as the Son of God?

• Why should He be more deeply endeared to us as we meditate on these scenes?

• How should this impact our relationship with God and our view of who we are?

Jesus suffered for us in so many ways even before the actual cross, as Mark describes this final week our hearts are moved at the love of such a willing and determined Savior.

Mark 14:43-72
Philippians 2:3-11
Galatians 2:20

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• In what ways did Jesus suffer in the passage today?

• Why are these events made more dramatic because of who He is as the Son of God?

• How does knowing about Jesus' suffering for us supposed to impact our lives?

• How does it affect how we approach Him now with these problems in our lives?

Sadly the prevailing worldview of our culture today has no answer to the problem of insignificance... but thankfully Christianity does, and in a glorious manner!

Psalm 8
Isaiah 40
John 14:1-3,17:24

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• In what ways are we insignificant?

• In what ways are we Beloved?

• In what ways does God's love make us significant?

• Why do secular people have no answers to the problem of insignificance?

• How does Christianity provide the answer?

The Ancient Jews had a physical temple that was the center of their hope and worship. That building was destroyed and rebuilt several times and now only a remnant of the ruins remains. Our hope is in the permanent temple living in the body of Jesus Christ.

Acts 7:44-50
John 2:16-22
Haggai 1-2
Amos 4:12-13
Hebrews 12:25-28
Revelation 21:22-27

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Why was it important for the Jews to rebuild the temple?

• Where is the temple now?

• Will there be a temple when we get to Heaven?

Concluding our discussion of the Gethsemane scene from Mark, Jesus commands the disciples to watch and pray... then He models it for them as a wonderful High Priest.

Mark 14:27-32,13:33-37,13:50
Romans 8:31-39
Hebrews 7:24-25
1 Corinthians 16:13
1 Thessalonians 5:6
1 Peter 5:8-9
Colossians 4:2
Psalm 103:8,103:14

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What did Jesus encourage His disciples to do in light of the coming trial they would face?

• How did He model this for them?

• What do we learn about Him as our High Priest?

In order to say "Not My will but Yours" in this emotional passage from Mark, Jesus had to act in a radical obedience and trust. In this we should be moved to love Him and to imitate Him.

Mark 14:32-42
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
John 6:38,4:34,10:17-18
Philippians 2:8
Job 1:20-22,2:9-10
1 John 4:9-10
Romans 8:31-32

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• What does this text show us about Jesus' obedience?

• What can we learn from His example?

• What does it show about His trust?

• What can we learn from His example in this, as well?

• Have you ever been faced with trusting God when you didn't understand what He was doing?

As we continue in Mark, Jesus shows His humanity and His supreme love to His Father as He wrestles in Gethsemane.

Mark 14:32-42
2 Corinthians 5:21
Matthew 20:28
John 15:13
Luke 12:4-5
Galatians 2:20

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• How does the scene in Gethsemane highlight Jesus' humanity?

• Why was He so upset when others have faced death so bravely?

• What does it mean to face the wrath of God?

• Why was it so important for us, that He submitted to God's will?

Judas betrays, all the disciples will deny and forsake... Jesus' amazing response: I'll give my body and blood!!! Mark describes this amazing scene.

Mark 14:10-31,14:1-2
Genesis 3:1-5
Romans 3:10-12,1:21

Sermon discussion topics for parents to use with their children:

• Who were the losers in this text?

• Why were they losers?

• What does their example teach us about ourselves?

• What is our response to losers?

• What was Jesus' response?

• How should we respond to God's call to us by sending His Son?