SUMMIT CHURCH BOISE episodes:

• April 22, 2018"The Grave" - Mark 15:40-47

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Who is Joseph of Arimathea? 
  2. Why is it that Joseph had to gather his courage to go to Pilate and ask for Jesus body? 
  3. What does it mean that Joseph was "waiting for the kingdom of God"?  
  4. In what way do you think Joseph thought Jesus was a part of that kingdoms coming? In what way do you think Jesus death impacted Joseph concerning that expectation? 
  5. Why do you think it was so important to Joseph to be given Jesus body? 
  6. What was Pilates concern with Joseph's request?  How did he resolve that concern?  Check out the details in John 19: 31 – 42. 
  7. How does what Joseph ministry to Jesus body in verse 46 reflect the burial customs of the Jews?  See John 19:40 Why do you think they prepare a body for burial this way? 
  8. In what way did Joseph's ministry to Jesus reflect his care and willingness to openly identify with Jesus?  What do you think caused him to take this bold step? 
  9. In what way does Jesus death speak into our own mortality and its reality? 
  10. Why was it important that Jesus be killed and then buried for three days?  Consider 1 Corinthians 15: 3,4 as you develop your answer. 
  11. In what way did Jesus death and burial forever change the way we view death?  Our own burial? 
  12. Why do you think we tend to move from Jesus death on the cross to His resurrection without really considering the importance of His burial?  In what way does this same dynamic hold true about our thinking of our own deaths? 
  13. What have you learned from this passage and how are you going to apply it? 

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• April 15, 2018"The Cross" - Mark 15:22-39

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. In what ways does Jesus crucifixion fulfill what Isaiah wrote of Messiah in Isaiah 53? What specific things were fulfilled?
  2. How does Psalm 22: 1, 6-18 help us understand the full magnitude of what Jesus suffered and was willing to suffer for our sins?
  3. In what way does Psalm 22 accurately describe a form of execution (crucifixion) that had yet to be invented and was totally unknown to David?
  4. Read the crucifixion accounts in Matthew 27: 33 – 54; Luke 23: 33-49: John 19: 17 – 37. Why do you think Mark left certain details out that are contained in each of the other Gospels?
  5. In what way does the full testimony of scripture including the Gospel accounts and the prophetic accounts in Isaiah and Psalms help us more fully understand the dread Jesus felt in the garden in Mark 14: 32 – 36? How does the Cross help us understand the "cup"?
  6. In what way does Jesus death on the Cross help you understand how much God love you? Romans 5:8
  7. How does Jesus death on the Cross guarantee what Paul says in Romans 8: 31, 32? How does the cross help us fully trust the reality that God is for us?
  8. How does Jesus crucifixion help us more fully appreciate John 3:16 and Philippians 2: 1-11?
  9. What did Jesus mean when He cried out what He did in verse 34? Had God really forsaken Him? Why would God do that? Consider 2 Cor. 5:21.
  10. What does it mean that the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (vs. 38)? What does this signify and why is it important for you and me?
  11. What did the Centurion testify of Jesus and how do you think he came to that conclusion? Consider John 14:11
  12. What have you personally come to understand about Jesus death on the Cross? Concerning His love for you? The fact that He is for you? The fact that because of His death on the Cross salvation and forgiveness of sin is available to all?
  13. How are you going to apply what you now know?

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• April 08, 2018"Silence" - Mark 15:1-21

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you think the whole Council held a consultation before delivering Jesus to the court of Pilate?
  2. What was the basis of their charge against Jesus before Pilate?  Check out John 19:12 and Luke 23: 2,5,13.
  3. How did this charge differ from the one they found Jesus guilty of before the Council (Sanhedrin)? Why? Review Mark 14: 53 – 65; John 19: 7.
  4. Why do you think Jesus answered Pilate's question the way He did in verse 2?
  5. Why was Pilate amazed in verse 5?  What was it about Jesus that amazed Him?
  6. What did Pilate know about the religious leaders and the reason for the charges they had brought against Jesus?  What was Pilate's assessment concerning their charges?
  7. Why did Pilate finally agree to sentence Jesus to death even though he did not believe he was guilty of the charges?  What does this tell you about Pilate?
  8. How does the account here agree with, and help us more fully appreciate what Isaiah prophesied about Messiah and He would do for us (Isaiah 53)?
  9. Why do you think the soldiers treated Jesus with such great cruelty and brutality?  Again, compare this scene with what we find in Isaiah 53.
     1. In my sermon I pointed out four things I believe Jesus silence proclaimed.  Please discuss for yourselves in what way Jesus "silence" demonstrated not only His submission to the will of the Father, but also the fact that:
        • There was nothing left to be said.  Was there something Jesus left unsaid?
        • There was nothing left to do.  What was still to be done but not in this courtroom?
        • Did Jesus leave anything undone?  To be completed by others? (Matt. 28:18 – 20)
        • There was nothing left to prove.  What would the final proof be?
        • There was nothing left to improve.  Why is this important to each of us?  Eph. 2:8,9
  10. What have you learned from this passage and in what way are you going to take what you have learned and apply it to your life?

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• April 01, 2018"He has Risen" - Mark 16:1-9

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Why are the woman going to Jesus grave so early in the morning?  What do they expect to find?
  2. Why do you think Jesus promised resurrection does not seem to be on their minds?
  3. What is their concern as they travel toward the tomb?  Why do you think they did not have a plan to address that concern?
  4. Why were the woman amazed upon entering the tomb Jesus had been placed in?
  5. Who do you think the young man is?  Why do you think he is there?
  6. Why do you think he tells them not to be amazed?   Amazed at what?  Why not be amazed?
  7. Noticed how Mark's account in verse 6 has the young man being very concise and specific about what he says to the woman who have entered the tomb.  What does he tell them and why do you think he conveys it the way he does?  Why is this important?
  8. Why do you think the young man instructs the women to go and tell His disciples and Peter that they should follow Jesus instructions?  What were those instructions?
  9. Why do you think the young man specifically told the women to go and tell Peter?  Why is this significant at the very least for Peter?
  10. Why do you think the women were experiencing the pronounced reactions they were in verse 8?  Why do you think the fled from the tomb?
  11. What does it mean that they were gripped with trembling and astonishment? 
  12. Why do you think Mark chose to present Jesus resurrection so simply and without some of the detail we find in the other gospel accounts? Check out Matthew 28; Luke 24; John 20.
  13. What is it about Mark's account that makes us appreciate the simplicity and "matter of fact-ness" that "He has risen"?  How does Mark's account speak to what Paul later says in 1 Corinthians 15: 1 – 19?
  14. What have you learned from this passage and what are you going to do with what you have learned?

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• March 25, 2018"A Revealing Failure" - Mark 14:66-72

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Reread verses 53- 52, 66. Why do you think Peter followed Jesus as He was being taken away? Why at a distance (consider vs. 51 – 52)?
  2. How is Peter's actions different from the other disciples and what does his following even at a distance tell us about Peter?
  3. Please read Luke 22: 31-32. In what way does Peter's experience around the fire in the Chief Priest's courtyard constitute a "sifting"? What does it mean to be "sifted like wheat"? What and through whom was Satan's planned sifting carried out?
  4. Clearly according to Luke 22:31 Satan knew something about Peter that he determined made Peter vulnerable? What does the courtyard scene and dialogue seen to indicate that vulnerability was?
  5. Clearly what Satan knew was not a surprise to Jesus. Why do you think Jesus had not addressed this vulnerability with Peter before? If Jesus had dealt with this before, when, and what was the outcome?
  6. What did Jesus pray for Peter? What did Jesus not pray for Peter? How does Jesus prayer help us understand the goal of Satan when he wants to orchestrate a sifting of our lives?
  7. What does Jesus mean by His prayer statement "your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32)? In what way does Peter's denial constitute or not constitute a faith failure? Did Peter's faith fail?
  8. How do you think Jesus prays for us today? What do you think the Holy Spirit prays for us today? (Romans 8:26 – 27)
  9. What does it mean in Luke 22:32 when Jesus says to Peter "when once you have turned again"? What is this turning and where in Mark's account does this turning take place?
  10. In what way do you think this "sifting" experience by Peter will better enable him to fulfill Jesus command to "strengthen your brothers"?
  11. How does sifting work for good in our live? (Romans 8:28) What do you think Jesus wanted Peter to learn from this profound experience of failure? Check out 1 Peter 5: 9-10.
  12. In what way does this account of Peter's failure and denial help us understand that our relationship with Jesus is not based upon our performance but Jesus performance on our behalf? How can understanding this profound truth encourage you in your walk with Jesus?
  13. Discuss how our "faith failures" can lead us to believe that we have let Jesus down and our relationship with Him is finished. Consider how that is exactly the conclusion Satan would have us come to. Consider Luke 15: 11 – 24; 1 PJohn 1:9
  14. Why is it significant that when Peter heard the cock crow that he remembered and began to weep (bitterly)? How is Peter's response different than Judas? Matt. 27:3-5
  15. What have you learned from this passage and what are you going to do with it?

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• March 18, 2018Sunday March 19, 2018

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• March 11, 2018Sunday March 11, 2018

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• March 04, 2018"Alone" - Mark 14:27-31

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you think Jesus told His disciples that they were going to all "fall away"?
  2.  
  3. Jesus gives a reason for their "falling away". What is that reason?
  4.  
  5. What does it mean to "fall away" and how does falling away fit with the image of the sheep being scattered?
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  7. What is Peter's response to what Jesus has just shared with all of them? Why do you think Peter takes it so personally?
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  9. What were both Peter and the disciples insistently saying to Jesus? Why do you think they were so insistent?
  10.  
  11. Why do you think Jesus confronts Peters assertion the way He does in verse 30? Compare this with John 13: 36 – 38; Luke 22: 31 – 34.
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  13. Discuss what it must have felt like for Jesus to have His earthly support stripped away as He moves toward the cross? How does this help us more fully appreciate Jesus love and willingness to pay the price for our sin? Check out Phil. 2: 6- 8.
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  15. It seems in their zeal to defend themselves they missed the greatest encouragement through a promise Jesus could possibly give them. What was the promise? Why is this promise important considering the coming terrible realities of Jesus sacrifice?
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  17. How does Jesus resurrection re-establish His role as Shepherd? What kind of Shepherd in resurrection can Jesus now be to the disciples and each of us that He could not be before? Check out Psalm 23.
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  19. How does Psalm 23 fit with Matthew 28: 20 when it comes to Jesus assuring us we are never alone?
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  21. What have you learned from this passage and in what way(s) are you going to apply what you have learned?

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• February 25, 2018"Fully Committed" - Mark 14:12-26

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Why do you think Mark included the details involved in securing a place to eat the Passover lamb right after he revealed Judas entering into an agreement to betray Jesus?
  2. In what way is this account like/unlike the provision of the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem? Mark 11: 1-6; 14: 12-16. 
  3. What can we learn from these passages about Jesus and the working out of the plan of God?  Man's involvement?
  4. Why is it significant that the disciples found it "just as He had told them"?  In what way does this still apply today?
  5. Why do you think Jesus made it known to His disciples that He was to be betrayed by one of them?  What do you think He was trying to do/not do by sharing this truth?
  6. Why do you think the disciples began to be grieved when they heard of the coming betrayal?  If the reality of betrayal caused a grieving of the disciples how do you think the reality of betrayal affected Jesus emotionally?
  7. How did the disciples respond and why was the way they responded significant?  What does it reveal about the disciples?  How do you think you would have responded? Why?
  8. In verse 21 what does it mean "For the Son of Man is to go just as it is written of Him"?
  9. Why is it better for the man who betrays The Son of Man to have never been born? 
  10. Is it fair to hold a person responsible for their part in fulfilling the prophecy of God?  Why or why not? What does this tell us about our responsibility and accountability for our actions/decisions?
  11. In what way does Jesus use bread and wine as symbols?  Symbols of what?  What are we to do with these symbols and why?
  12. What does Jesus mean when He said "This is My blood of the covenant which is poured out for many"?
  13. In what way does the bread and the wine indicate Jesus full commitment to fulfilling the plan of salvation for each one of us?
  14. In what way is verse 25 a promise of reunion and hope?  How can this truth encourage and strengthen us today?
  15. What have you learned from this passage and how are you going to live out what you learned this coming week? 

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• February 18, 2018"What She Could" - Mark 14:1-11

  STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Why where the Chief Priests and the Scribes trying to seize Jesus by stealth?
  2. What was Jesus offense that they had determined it warrant death? In what way does that same determination extend to us today? Consider Mark 13: 9-12.
  3. Why do you think Mark choose not to tell us who this woman was? Check out John 12: 1- 8. Is this the same account why or why not?
  4. What does Jesus say this woman has done for Him by anointing Him with the perfume?
  5. Why does He say this is an appropriate act on her part?
  6. What is the reaction of those who witnessed this woman breaking the vial and anointing Jesus? What is their problem with her act? Do they have grounds to be upset? Why?
  7. Why do you think Mark does not include the fact revealed by other gospel authors that Judas was the one who initiated the objection to this woman's act?
  8. Why do you think Jesus tells them to let her alone? Why does she need the freedom to act the way she did? Why was this not a waste of the oil?
  9. Why does Jesus ask those upset over this woman's act "why" they were bothering her when they already had stated very plainly why they were bothered? What else was going on here in the guise of being concerned for the poor? In what ways is this still true today?
  10. What does it mean when Jesus says that she has done a good deed to Me? What is the deed and why is it good? How can we today do a good deed to Jesus? Check out Matt. 25: 34 – 40.
  11. What does it mean when Jesus says in verse eight - "She has done what she could..."? What does this tell us about the woman and the quality, or heart of her action? Compare this woman with the woman we found in Mark 12: 41 – 44.
  12. Why is her action, her good deed, such a big thing in Jesus eyes that it would warrant being remembered wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world both then and now? What is it about her act that transcends time and culture and speaks to each of us today?
  13. What does it mean it will be spoken in memory of her? What would you like to be remembered for in your service to Jesus?
  14. Why do you think Mark includes the scene of Judas going and making plans to betray Jesus in this powerful scene of extravagant sacrifice and love? What does Mark want to convey by such a pronounced contrast?
  15. How has this passage spoken to you? What is it about this woman's service to Jesus that challenges you in your service to Jesus?
  16. What is it that you want to be remembered for? In light of that desire what is God calling you to do right now?

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