1. Why do you think Jesus uses a parable to confront the religious leaders concerning their attitude and conduct?
2. In what way does the parable of the vine-growers speak to the issue of the authority?  The authority of the religious leaders?  The authority of Jesus?
3. In what way does the parable describe the long history of Israel's resistance to the will of God?  What does the owner's patience reveal about God?
4. In what way is Israel a vineyard created by God?
5. What was the fruit or return God had a right to expect from Israel?
6. Given that the owner is God Himself, what through this parable can we learn about His sovereignty, authority, grace, love, righteousness, and judgment?
7. How does this parable answer the assertion that God is love so He would never judge?
8. Who do the vine-growers represent?  The Owner's slaves?  The Owner's Son?
9. What would make the owner think that his son would be treated any differently than the servants that had been sent before him?
10. Why did the vine-growers think that if they killed the heir the vineyard would be theirs?  What is an heir?
11. What does it mean that they "took him, and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard"? 
12. What does the owner do to the vine-growers and why is his actions thoroughly justified and absolutely righteous?
13. Why does the owner give the vineyard over to new tenants (vine growers)?  Who are these new vine-growers?  What does He expect from them?
14. Explain how this parable speaks to the Scripture Jesus refers to in verse 10 and 11?
15. Who is the stone that was rejected?  What is a cornerstone?  Why is it important?
16. What does it mean that this stone that was rejected by the builders became the chief cornerstone?  Who are the builders?
17. Why is all of this "marvelous in our eyes"?  Who is the "our" in this verse?
18. What did the religious leaders understand about the parable and what action did they want to take because of it?  Why did they not act?
19. What is the message of this parable for today?
20. What have you learned from this passage and what are you going to do with what you now know?

Cross References:

• Isaiah 5:1-7
• 1 Peter 2:4-10
• 2 Peter 3:9
• Psalm 145:8
• Matthew 21:43
• John 15:8, 16
• Matthew 28:18–20

1. Who are the Chief Priests, Scribes and Elders Mark records this account around and why do you think the issue of authority is so important to them? Where did they derive their authority?
2. What is the question they have of Jesus and why do you think they are asking this question now?
3. What are the things Jesus is doing and why does He need authority to do them?
4. What does it mean to have authority as it is used in this context?
5. What is the question Jesus asks the religious leaders, and why do you think Jesus requires an answer before He submits and responds to their question?
6. Why is the question so important regarding the nature of John the Baptist's ministry?  How does the answer to the question of John's ministry relate to Jesus and His ministry?
7. What are the two options Jesus give when it comes to the source of authority?  How are these two options still present and practiced today?
8. Why were the religious leaders reluctant to answer Jesus question?  Why did they need to reason together for an answer?  What does this reveal about the source of their authority?
9. In what way does their reasoning together demonstrate their lack of having an absolute authority by which to make a judgment? What is Jesus absolute authority when it comes to His making a judgement? (see Mark 11: 17)
10. What was the religious leaders answer to Jesus question and how is their answer still used today to avoid the authority question?  What would the religious leaders sound like today?
11. In what way did Jesus exercise His authority when He insisted they answer His question (vs. 29)?  When He set the conditions for His answer (vs. 29)?  When He refused to answer (vs. 30)?
12. Why did Jesus refuse to answer their question?  What did He already know?
13. What have you learned about Jesus' authority and how is what you now know going to impact your life this coming week?

1. Verse 21 says Peter was reminded.  Reminded of what?  Why do you think Mark includes this in this account?
2. What does it mean in verse 14 "and His disciples were listening"?  Why do you think they were listening and what do you think they were listening for?
3. Why do you think Jesus does not explain about the fig tree but rather uses this opportunity to challenge them to "have faith in God"?  Why?
4. What does it mean to have faith in God?
5. What is Jesus trying to communicate about having faith in God when He clearly connects it with the power to move mountains?
6. Is Jesus really inviting us to go about rearranging the landscape or is it an invitation to do something else?  What?
7. What is Jesus trying to emphasize when he says "Truly I say to you" in verse 23?  Why do you think He felt the need to emphasize what He is about to say about prayer?  About faith in God?
8. Is the difference between prayer and asking?  What?
9. What does verse 24 mean, and specifically does "all things" really cover all things?  In what way does this promise connect with "having faith in God"?
10. What are the two conditions or two characteristics of prayer that Jesus says will be answered?  What do these characteristics indicate about our faith in God?
11. What does "does not doubt in his heart" mean?  What is doubting in your heart and how does this connect with "having faith in God"?
12. How can we have the confidence to believe what we have yet to receive (verse 24)?
13. Why do you think Jesus moves from praying for "all things" to when you pray forgive those that you may have anything against someone?  How is prayer and forgiveness connected"
14. How or in what way does forgiveness of others connect with having faith in God and exercising believing prayer?
15. In what way do these verses in Mark eleven challenge us to establish our faith and confidence in God?
16. In what way does our faith in God inform the things we pray for and believe God for?
17. What have you learned from this passage about faith and prayer and how are you going to apply what you have learned?

1. What was it that made Jesus angry here in Mark 11?  Had Jesus ever been angry before this scene in Mark?  Where and what made Him angry in those situations?  Check out Mark 3:5; Mark 10:14... others?
2. Ephesians 4:26 instructs us to be angry and yet do not sin. In what way does Jesus help us understand how one does that?  Why was Jesus anger not sin?
3. Why do you think that Jesus held both the sellers and the buyers responsible in distorting the purpose of the Temple?
4. Why do you think Jesus took physical action against the offenders rather than teaching and exhorting them to change their conduct?
5. What do we learn about Jesus when it says in verse 16 "He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the Temple"?  What were they doing and why did Jesus take issue with it?
6. In verse 17 we find Jesus first taking action and then teaching.  Why do you think Jesus started by saying "Is it not written" and then partially quoting Isa 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11?  Why these two Old Testament passages?
7. What does "My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all the Nations"?
8. In what ways did the Chief Priest and the Scribes violate God's express purpose for His Temple?  Why would they do that?!
9. In what ways is it possible today to intentionally or unintentionally distort, change, alter the focus of God's purposes and plans?  Consider things like the Church, marriage, family, life itself...etc.
10. What made the Chief Priests and Scribes angry?  What does their anger reveal about them?
11. How was their anger significantly different than Jesus'?  In what ways?
12. What did the religious leaders decide to do with Jesus?  Discuss their decision in relation to Ephesians 4:26 and James 1:18,19.
13. Why do you think the Chief Priests and Scribes were afraid of Jesus?  What were they afraid of?
14. What does it mean that the crowd was astonished at Jesus teaching?  Why were they astonished?
15. What makes you angry?  How or in what way(s) is your anger like Jesus and not like Jesus?
16. In what way can we fall into the trap of becoming angry like the Chief Priests and the Scribes?
17. What have you learned from this passage and how are you going to apply what you have learned?

1. Take a few moments and see how many observations you can make from the first seven verses of Mark eleven.  Where are they?  In what way is this place significant?  Have they been here before? What do the first seven verses tell you about Jesus?  What do they tell you about His disciples? Etc.
2. Why do you think Jesus sent two disciples to get the colt rather than simply going Himself?
3. What does Jesus instruct the two disciples to do if they are challenged while taking the colt?  Why do you think the "the Lord has need of it" was sufficient enough reason for the bystander to give them permission to take the colt?
4. In what way does this passage speak to you about being ready to respond to Jesus request "the Lord has need of it"? What kinds of things may the Lord have need of today that we may supply?  Why would He desire for us to supply what He needs rather than simply supplying it Himself?
5. Why do you think the disciples placed their coats on the back of the colt for Jesus to sit on?  Why is this significant, or is it significant?  What is the value of a coat in Jesus time?
6. Why do you think "the many" spread their coats in the road so Jesus could ride over them?  Why did others spread leafy branches? What were they trying to express through these actions and gestures?
7. Those who went out in front and those who followed behind where shouting something. What were they shouting and why is this important at this moment?  What does this "display of Jesus" on the back of a colt with the multitude shouting praise declare about Jesus?
8. Why do you think Mark did not include some of the details of this event that are included in the other Gospel accounts (Matthew 21: 1-11, Luke 19: 28 – 40, John12: 12- 19)?  What was Mark's focus?  What did he want us to get from the information he shared?
9. Once again Mark seems to minimize the events that transpired upon Jesus entering Jerusalem.  Notice verse 11.  What was He looking at?
10. What is significant about Jesus interaction with the fig tree?  What does this interchange tell us about Jesus?  Why do you think Mark waits until later to tell us the fig tree had withered?
11. What have you learned from this passage and how are you going to act upon that which you now know?

1. Why do you think those following Jesus to Jerusalem were both amazed and fearful?
2. Why do you think Jesus felt the need to once again share with His disciples exactly why He was going to Jerusalem?
3. In what way does what Jesus shares in verses 33 – 34 address the amazement and fear of those that are following Him?
4. What do you think James and John were thinking that would lead them to make the request they made in verse 37?  What was the request?
5. What does it mean to sit on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus in His glory? What were they really asking for?
6. In what way did Jesus respond to their request?  Think about the possible ways in which Jesus could have responded.  Given the number of possible responses available, why do you think Jesus responded the way He did?
7. What does Jesus response "You do not know what you are asking" reveal about these two disciples?  What did they think they knew and what is it they did not know?
8. In what ways does your answer to the questions in #7 apply to your own personal relationship with Jesus as you follow Him?  As you petition the Lord in prayer?
9. What is the cup and the baptism Jesus is referring to in verses 38 and 39?
10.  What does the disciples answer to Jesus question in verse 38 "are you able" reveal about the level of their understanding of Jesus ministry and mission?
11. What does it mean when Jesus says to James and John that they will drink of the cup and be baptized with the baptism?  Whatis the cup and what is the baptism??
12.  What reason did Jesus give in not granting their request?  In what way does Jesus response speak of the will of the Father and demonstrate His submission to that will?
13.  What does it mean in verse 40 where Jesus says that these positions are for those whom it has been prepared?  Why do you think Jesus does not further elaborate on who that might be?
14.  Why were the other ten disciples indignant with James and John?   What does their response reveal about the ten?
15.  In what way does Jesus reflection upon how the world operates in verse 42 help His disciples understand that He is calling them to a different way?  What is that different way?
16.  How does verse 45 characterize the gospel and the love of God that is revealed in verses such as John 3:16 and Phil. 2: 1 –11?  What is the foundation of this kind of service?
17.  What does verse 45 reveal about who Jesus is, why He came, and how He would have us "follow His lead" in living out our lives?
18.  What does it mean that Jesus came to give His life a ransom for many?  Who are the many?
19.  What have you discovered in this passage that challenges you to live in a way that follows Jesus lead?  What is that "way" for you?  What specific things are you going to do in light of what you now know from this passage?

1. What do you think Jesus saw as He looked around that prompted the remark He makes in verse 23?

2. What did Jesus say in verse23 that amazed the disciples?  Why do you think they were amazed?
3. What is it about riches that makes it hard for a person to enter into the kingdom of God?
4. In what way does Jesus remark in verse 24 - "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God" - go beyond just it’s application for the rich?
5. In what ways is it hard for all of us to enter the kingdom of God?  What have you already learned from Mark 9: 42 – Mark 10: 22 that can help you answer this question?   Checkout the following passages to more fully understand our disadvantages when it comes to entering the kingdom of God.  What are our disadvantages? Jeremiah 17:9; Isa. 64:6; Matt. 7:13-14; Mark 10: 18 (no one is good but God alone); Romans 3:23...
6. What does Jesus mean when in verse 25 He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?  Most scholars believe that Jesus is using hyperbole, which is an obvious and intentional exaggeration to more effectively make a point.  What is the point Jesus is making?
7. What do you think Jesus disciples heard Him say that explains their question in verse 26?
8. What was Jesus answer to the question -"Then who can be saved"?
9. What does Jesus answer reveal about how much our salvation depends upon God?  How does it help us understand more fully what it means when scripture says our salvation depends upon the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8,9) and that "God is for us" (working on our behalf)? See Romans 8: 26 – 34.
10. What does it mean that all things are possible with God?  Within the context of these verses what do you think this means?
11. Why do you think Peter said what he did in 28? What do you think his concern was?
12. How did Jesus address Peter's concern?  What does Jesus answer reveal about God's knowledge of our lives and His care for us?
13. How does the truth Jesus shared in verses 29-30 encourage each of us to trust Jesus and follow Him?
14. Why do you think Jesus ends His answer to Peter with verse 31?  What does He want the disciples to remember as they give up everything to follow Him?
15. In what ways does Jesus teaching in this passage apply to you?
16. In what way are you going to apply what you have learned?

1. Who is this man and what do we know about him from the account here and in the two other accounts contained in Matthew 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30?
2. Why do you think Mark included in his account that the man came and knelt before Jesus?  What does Mark want us to know about this man?
3. In what way does this man address Jesus and in what way did Jesus respond?  Why do you think Jesus responded the way he did?
4. What was question this man wanted Jesus to answer?  Why do you think he would ask such a question of Jesus?
5. How does Jesus initially answer the question in verse 19?  Why do you think Jesus answered in the way that He did?
6. In what way did the man respond to Jesus answer referring him to the commandments of God?  What commandments did Jesus refer him to and why do you think it was the portion of the commandments that deal with relationships with others?
7. What does it mean that in response to the man's answer (vs.20) Jesus looked at him and felt a love for him?  Why?
8. What is the "one thing" the man lacks and why is it a loving answer by Jesus to a sincere question?
9. What three things did Jesus tell the man to do and how do these three things resonate with what Jesus instructed in Mark 8:34-37?
10. What does Jesus teach us in this passage about the value of treasure in heaven and the value of treasure on earth?
11. In what way do you think treasure in heaven is related to inheriting eternal life (the man's original question)?  Or Not?
12. What was the "price point" the man was unwilling to pay to achieve eternal life?
13. Why do you think the man, as sincere as he was about wanting to know what he could do to achieve eternal life would in the end, value that which is temporal over that which is eternal?  In what way is this still true today?
14. The text tells us that upon hearing Jesus answer the man was saddened and went away grieving.  Why do you think he was sad and what was he grieving?
15. Why do you think Jesus did not pursue or at least attempt to continue a conversation with this young man about his decision?
16. In what way does this story help us see the sincere love that Jesus had for this young man? 
17. What is it that Mark wanted each of us to know about Jesus and understand about His love for each of us?  In what ways is this story about each of us?
18. What have you learned from this "rich young ruler" that you can apply to your life this coming week?

1. In Mark 10:13 who do you think the "they" are, and why do you think they were bringing the Children to Jesus?
2. What do the disciples do to those bringing the children and what is Jesus reaction?
3. Why do you think Jesus responded to the disciples the way He did?  In what way is this similar to Jesus response in Mark 9:38 - 40?
4. What does it mean to "permit" the children to come to Jesus?  In what ways do we do this today?
5. Jesus tells the disciples to not hinder the children from coming to Him.  What reason does He give for this?  How might we hinder the children today through age related requirements or assumptions?  (I.e. not old enough to understand etc.)
6. What does Jesus mean when He say the kingdom of God belongs to such as these?
7. What is the kingdom of God Jesus is talking about?
8. What is Jesus saying about the ability of even little children to be a part of the kingdom of God?
9. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child?  Why is it necessary to do so?
10.  In light of this fact, what is Jesus saying about little children's ability to be a part of the kingdom of God.
11. What is it about a child that characterizes what is needed to enter the kingdom of God? What is needed?  (Eph.2:8,9; John 1:12; etc.)
12. What do we learn from verse 16 about Jesus and His relationship to those who come to Him?  In what way does this apply to you and me today?
13. What have you learned from this passage and in what way are you going to apply what you have learned today?