Mark-Lesson 13...Continued from page 3

DAY FOUR:  Pride and Unity

Please carefully read Mark 9:33-41 and answer the following questions.

1. They next reached Capernaum, and Jesus knew some whisperings had been going on between His disciples on the way.  What did He ask them, and what had they been doing (v. 33, 34)?

2.  Many in Jesus’ day were concerned about their individual rank within the community.  Pride and ambition are temptations in every age, especially today. Mark correctly analyzed that the disciples’ attitude was at the heart of the problem.[xi]  How did Jesus redirect and humble their self-seeking attitude (v. 35-37)?

3.  What did John tell Jesus that they had done, and how did He redirect them in view of it (v. 38-41)?

4.  Nothing will undermine the unity and effectiveness of a church or group of believers like such self-seeking attitudes and exclusiveness.  The Greek has verse 34, “But they kept on being quiet.” Kenneth Wuest related:

No wonder. Our Lord was facing a cruel death, and they were nursing their ambitions. They were ashamed. Swete says that the dispute as to who should be greatest, was probably suggested by the selection of the Three for the mysterious ascent of Hermon, and the prominence of Peter among the three.[xii]

What are some of the things are necessary for believers to walk and serve in unity with each other according to Ephesians 4:1-7?

Scripture Memory:  Try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below, by memory if at all possible, and then review the passage several times today.

Salt is ____________, but if the salt _________________ its _____________________, how will you ______________________ it? Have ________________ in yourselves, and have _____________________ with _____________ another. Mark 9:50 (nkjv)