Why the disciples were arguing about gold medals while Jesus was talking about the Cross—and what it means for us today.

Our text in this study is: Mark 9:30-37

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In this verse-by-verse Bible study of Mark 9:30-37, we look at the “Great Exhortations” of Jesus as He begins His final journey toward Jerusalem. While traveling through Galilee, Jesus privately instructs His disciples about His impending betrayal, death, and resurrection. However, the disciples—much like us today—frequently miss the point of His mission because they are too preoccupied with their own status.

This Calvary Chapel teaching dives into the humor and the heartbreak of the disciples arguing over who among them was the “greatest” while standing in the shadow of the cross. From a conservative, evangelical perspective, we explore how human nature is hardwired for competition and ranking. Whether it’s the “Housekeeping Olympics” or the ancient Essenes obsessing over seating charts, we all have a tendency to want the gold medal in the Kingdom. But Jesus sits the Twelve down for a radical lesson: “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.”

We discuss the vital difference between a mentality of service and a life of forced asceticism. Jesus isn’t calling us to seek out suffering for its own sake, but to adopt the heart of a servant. Using a child as a living object lesson, Jesus shows us that true greatness is found in how we welcome the weak, the vulnerable, and the “unimportant.” If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to be “victorious” in God’s eyes, this study suggests it might look less like winning a trophy and more like pushing a broom or stacking a chair with a heart of worship.

Our target audience includes those who want to study the Bible deeply, seekers interested in the life of Jesus, and anyone looking for practical Christian living advice. We believe that intellectual growth is never enough; we need the indwelling Holy Spirit to open our eyes to these “hard sayings” of Scripture. Join us as we learn to trade our “great expectations” of worldly power for the humble, joyful service of our Savior.

Study Highlights:

The Betrayal: Understanding the weight of being handed over by a friend.

Kingdom Rank: Why the “first” in this world are often “last” in the next.

The Child in His Arms: What it means to be humble, dependent, and receptive to God.

Service vs. Meniality: Developing a heart that represents Christ in every situation.