1. Lesson 10 of 13 February 3, 2013 “The Law Expert: Asking About What Matters Most” Mark 12:28-34 Study Aim: To measure my life by what Jesus said matters most All Scripture quotes are from the NIV version unless otherwise indicated. Most lesson comments are from the Study Guide followed by SG. PowerPoint by Don Cannata BaptistWay Press, Dallas, Texas 1

2. 2 Overview of 13 Lesson Series 1. John the Baptist: Preparing for Jesus 2. Peter: Telling Jesus He’s Wrong 3. James and John: We Are First 4. Levi: Outsiders Welcome 5. A disturbed man: Freed from Being Out of Control 6. Two Desperate People: Relying on Jesus 7. Hometown People: Stuck in the Ordinary 8. The Religious Leaders: Bound By Tradition 9. The Disciples: Slow to Get It 10. The Law Expert: Asking About What Matters Most 11. The Woman at Bethany: Honoring Jesus Extravagantly 12. Judas: Doing the Unthinkable 13. Women at the Cross and the Tomb

3. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 3 A Plan for Mark’s Gospel During the year or more that Peter and Mark were so closely associated, they must have engaged in many earnest conversations about their Lord. Outline of the Gospel 1.An introduction (1:1-20) 2.The Galilean Ministry (1:21-6:13) 3.Outside of Galilee (6:14-10:52) 4.Ministry in Jerusalem (11:1-14:22) 5.Crucifixion/Resurrection (14:43- 16:20) Source: Hugh R. Peterson, “A Study of The Gospel of Mark”, Convention Press, Nashville, TN 1958, p. 2

4. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 4 The Background of the Lesson The background of this lesson’s focal passage actually begins in Mark 11:27. Jesus was back in Jerusalem (his final week of ministry) after his triumphant entry and cleansing the temple. As religious leaders tried to discredit Jesus, they asked him a series of questions focused on his right to speak with authority about the things of God. SG

5. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 5 Loving God Completely (12:28-30) Jesus used the positive summary answering the question regarding the most important of all commandments. Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Mark 12:29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

6. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 6 Loving God Completely (12:28-30) Jesus reinforced the accepted belief that the most important command was to love God with the whole self. Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Forgetting self and giving ourselves unreservedly to God is the first command and leads to freedom and joy. SG Does this work for you?

7. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 7 Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves (12:31) This commandment included the last six of the Ten Commandments with their instruction to care for parents and the prohibitions against murder, adultery, stealing, lying and coveting (Ex.20:12-17). SG Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Jesus’ answer to the question about what matters most was clear. Love God with an undivided heart and love their neighbors as themselves. SG

8. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 8 Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves (12:31) In Luke’s account the “expert in the law” wishing “to justify” himself asked Jesus, “and who is my neighbor (Luke 10:29). Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. This forever changed the definition of neighbor from “one of your people” (Leviticus 19:18) to the neighbor being anyone in need of help. SG What motivates you to help your neighbor? What sometimes keeps you from helping someone in need?

9. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 9 Loving Our Neighbor as Ourselves (12:31) Cast Study to Explore Late at night your phone rings, and it’s the teenage girl living next door. She says, “Daddy is really angry, and we are scared. Can you help us?” How can you best be neighbor to this young girl and to her family? What should you do? SG

10. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 10 “Not Far From” but Not There Yet (12:32-34) Mark 12:34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. The expert in the law was able to acknowledge what mattered most, but he had not yet heard or responded to Jesus’ command to follow him. To acknowledge truth is a wonderful first step. Obedience to truth is essential to being a part of the kingdom of God. SG

11. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 11 Implications and Actions We need to recognize that we too may be “not far from the kingdom of God,” but we can also recognize that entry into the kingdom of God comes as we follow Jesus and accept his grace, forgiveness, and power. SG 1. What keeps us from giving God first place in our lives? 2. How do we balance self-care and caring for others?

12. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 12 Implications and Actions Lesson 11 is entitled “The Woman at Bethany: Honoring Jesus Extravagantly.” Focal text is Mark 14:1-9 3. How do you determine who your neighbor is? 4. Why is the belief in the kingdom of God important for daily living? 5. What are some specific ways you can better love God with “all” of yourself? End of Lesson 10 of 13

13. Lesson 10 – “The Gospel of Mark” 13