Sabbath School Lesson for August 17-23, 2024
Overview of Lesson 8, Teaching Disciples: Part 2
Memory Text: ” ‘For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’ ” Mark 10:45 NKJV
Jesus continued to use His interactions with various individuals and groups to teach the disciples what it means to serve God. This middle section of the book of Mark holds many principles that all of God’s followers must understand if they would enter into His eternal kingdom.
Foremost for the disciples was the need to conquer their pride and feelings of jealousy toward each other. Only then would they possess the humility, faith, and compassion needed to unite and serve God effectively. Only then would they be able to fully understand their mission, which may include suffering and death, just as Jesus predicted for Himself.
Chapter 10 of Mark includes many opportunities the disciples had to learn practical ways they were to live their lives of service. They must learn how to relate to their spouses, their children, and even their possessions.
God must be their priority, their source of wisdom and comfort, no matter what kind of persecution they may have to suffer. The cost of discipleship is always great. But the rewards are even greater.
The stories in Mark 10 include…
- Sunday: God’s Plan for Marriage–Pharisees asked Jesus about divorce, but Jesus reminded them of God’s ideal marriage.
- Monday: Jesus and Children–The disciples wanted children to go away, but Jesus insisted on blessing them.
- Tuesday: The Best Investment–A rich, young ruler asked Jesus how to have eternal life, and Jesus told him what he was lacking.
- Wednesday: Can You Drink My Cup?–James and John expressed a desire to be close to Jesus in His glory, but Jesus told them more fully what that would mean for them.
- Thursday: “What Do You Want Me to Do for You?”–A blind man, named Bartimaeus, begged Jesus for eyesight, and Jesus recognized his faith and healed him.
Sunday: God’s Plan for Marriage (Mark 10:1-12)
The Pharisees were constantly looking for ways to get Jesus in trouble. Their simple question of whether it was lawful for a man to divorce his wife was designed to get Jesus to say something that would anger Herod Antipas. He was the ruler who had beheaded John the Baptist for his rebuke of Herod’s unlawful marriage to his brother’s wife.
They wanted Jesus to clarify the grounds for divorce, a question which no one seemed to have a coherent answer. But Jesus saw through their sinful plot. So instead of going into details, Jesus reminded them of what God intended for marriage at the beginning. God desired a marriage that would make them one flesh, never to be separated.
He also pointed out that Moses had permitted divorce only because of the hardness of their hearts. But they had taken this permission and used it to allow a man to divorce his wife for almost any reason. Surely, God is not pleased with so little regard for the sanctity of marriage.
Bible Verses to Explore:
Mark 10:1-12
- Why does God regard the institution of marriage as so important?
- How does our marital status affect our discipleship?
- How can God use people who are not married, or even divorced? Is there room for them in the church too?
Monday: Jesus and Children (Mark 10:13-16)
It’s hard to imagine that the disciples thought Jesus was too busy to deal with the task of blessing children. But, in reality, children were not rated high on the social scale at the time. So, when mothers brought their children to be blessed by Jesus, they were told by the disciples not to bother Him. The request of these mothers was not deemed important in their eyes.
But, recognizing the value of youth, Jesus was not happy with the disciples’ dismissal of their needs. He specifically asked that the children be brought to Him. He lovingly spoke His blessings upon them, while tenderly holding them on His lap and in His arms.
The Gospels often spoke of Jesus as a Friend of children. He surely felt refreshed and rejuvenated in their joyful presence, just as they felt comfortable and safe in His arms. The attraction was mutual. As a magnet, they were drawn to each other.
Jesus was often able to instruct the disciples by pointing out the child-like trust and obedience they must have to be His servants. It was a mistake to neglect the children, just as it is a mistake now not to bless them at every opportunity.
Bible Verses to Explore:
Mark 10:13-16
- How are you and your church family blessing children and new believers? What are their needs?
- In what ways might we be neglecting them, and why is this sometimes easy to do?
Tuesday: The Best Investment (Mark 10:17-31)
The story of the rich, young ruler has lessons for everyone, because it addresses our relationship to money and riches–whether we have them or not. People feel that if you have great riches, you are blessed by God. You must be doing something right to deserve your wealth. Therefore, everyone desires more wealth.
But Jesus pointed out that this particular sincere, respectful young man needed to give up his wealth to inherit eternal life. The price of leaving his riches behind in order to follow Jesus was unthinkable to him. He refused to do it, walking away with sadness in his heart. By doing so, he showed that he was putting his money before God, breaking several commandments, which he thought previously he was keeping.
The disciples were dismayed to discover that someone with riches could be lost. Even Jesus was saddened by the unwise choice that was made, commenting how hard it was for the rich to be saved. Indeed, it was harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven, He said.
This must have caused quite a stir among the disciples, but Jesus eased their minds with the reassurance that with God, all things were possible.
Bible Verses to Explore:
Mark 10:17-22
- Why were the commandments that the young ruler mentioned not enough to get him to heaven? Which ones did he fail to mention?
- How would this omission of commandments have informed Jesus that something was lacking?
- Why did Jesus recommend that he sell his riches to follow Him?
Mark 10:23-31
- How did Jesus answer Peter’s comment (v. 28), and how would it have made the disciples feel differently about their commitment to God and the cost and reward of discipleship?
Wednesday: Can You Drink My Cup? (Mark 10:32-45)
On the way to Jerusalem with the disciples, Jesus, for the third time, predicted the death and resurrection of the Son of Man. With startling new details, He outlined how He would be handed over to the Gentiles and then be mocked, scourged, and spit upon.
The disciples were both amazed and afraid at these troubling new predictions. But James and John, sons of Zebedee, probably thought that immediately after His resurrection, Jesus would be made King of kings. So, they asked that they be on His right and left hand in glory.
Jesus realized that they did not understand what they were asking for. Nevertheless, He granted their desire; but then, gently reminded them that His baptism would include a bitter cup of suffering. And the end result of their standing in heaven was not His to grant, but was up to the Father.
The baptism of Jesus was surely that special outpouring at Pentecost. But after that, James, as it turned out, was the first of the apostles to be martyred. John lived the longest, dying in exile on the lonely isle of Patmos.
It was obvious that the other ten disciples were displeased with James and John for their bold request. Jesus recognized the jealousy in their hearts, and once again told them that being first really meant being last. It meant being a servant, or slave to others–not something they needed to be jealous about.
Bible Verses to Explore:
Mark 10:32:34
- Why were the disciples particularly afraid when Jesus made this third prediction?
Mark 10:35-45
- How much do you think the disciples, including James and John, understood Jesus’ third prediction?
- In what way is Jesus’ mission (v. 45) the same as ours? How do we give our lives to others, and why?
Thursday: “What Do You Want Me to Do for You?” (Mark 10:46-52)
The story of blind Bartimaeus serves as a bookend, with the healing of another blind man found in Mark 8:22-26–the beginning of this section of Mark. Both stories alert us to the need for the disciples to see the world with different eyes.
The motif of revelation/secrecy is also apparent in the unfolding of Bartimaeus’ experience. At first, he was loud in his cry for mercy, confident in Jesus’ ability to restore his sight. But, the crowd told him to be quiet. After Jesus called him to come forward and he received his sight, there was no request from Jesus to be silent. He was allowed to follow Jesus, sharing his joyful cries of faith and thankfulness with all who would listen.
One detail that shows the quality of this blind beggar’s faith was the fact that he threw aside his cloak when Jesus called him. That outer garment would have been his one precious possession, a source of security. Bartimaeus showed that there was nothing more important to him than answering the call of Jesus. He was secure in Jesus’ love and protection.
Bible Verses to Explore:
Mark 10:46-52
- Why was the faith of Bartimaeus so apparent to Jesus, but not to those in the crowd?
- In what ways must all Christians see the world differently in order to follow Jesus?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Jesus wants us to know how our marital and parental relationships should demonstrate God’s love. Equally important is to understand our relationship with our possessions. The stories in Mark 10 were designed to teach us about some of the practical things in life that matter to God. Here’s how one Christian author expressed some of these lessons:
“Jesus was ever a lover of children…Wherever the Savior went, the benignity of His countenance, and His gentle, kindly manner won the love and confidence of children.” ~Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 511
“Self-surrender is the substance of the teachings of Christ. Often it is presented and enjoined in language that seems authoritative, because there is no other way to save man than to cut away those things which, if entertained, will demoralize the whole being.” ~Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 523
In summary, we must reach out to others as Jesus did. His mission is our mission, and He will help us every step of the way–“…for with God, all things are possible.” Mark 10:27
To learn more about what children can teach us, see https://www.outlookmag.org/the-child-with-a-question/
Next Week: Jerusalem Controversies
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