Bible Reading
Mark 12:35-37 “And as Jesus taught in the temple, he said, “How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him Lord. So how is he his son?” And the great throng heard him gladly.”
[23:26]Mark 12:41-44 “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
[37:19]Mark 13:1-37 “And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them. And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations. And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that it may not happen in winter. For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand. “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “But concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
[42:01]Observation questions
- In Mark 12:35–37, what question does Jesus ask about the Messiah’s relationship to David, and what words of David does He use to raise that question? [30:51]
- What public behaviors of the teachers of the law does Jesus warn about, and what hidden harm does He say they were doing? [35:53]
- What contrast does Jesus make between the wealthy contributors and the poor widow in Mark 12:41–44? [37:19]
- In Mark 13, what specific warnings does Jesus give about deception, troubling world events, and trying to predict His return? [45:13]
Interpretation questions
- Why does it matter that the Messiah is both David’s descendant and David’s Lord? What would be lost if Jesus were viewed only as a good man or teacher? [34:00]
- How does the widow’s offering reveal both her trust in God and the failure of religious leaders to care for vulnerable people around them? [38:47]
- Jesus says not to be alarmed by wars, disasters, and reports of frightening events. Does this mean believers should ignore suffering in the world? What does faithful alertness look like without panic or speculation? [47:46]
- Jesus connects watchfulness with being prepared for His return. Why is readiness more than trying to identify end-times signs or guess dates? [55:53]
Application questions
- When someone asks who Jesus is, would your answer clearly confess Him as fully God and fully man, Savior and Lord? What uncertainty or question about Jesus’ identity do you need to bring honestly to God while continuing to trust what Scripture makes clear? [34:33]
- The teachers of the law wanted recognition while neglecting people in need. Are there places where concern for appearance, approval, or reputation can quietly compete with genuine compassion in your life? What would it look like to serve someone without needing to be noticed? [39:45]
- Everything belongs to God—time, money, work, abilities, relationships, and possessions. Which area is hardest for you to place fully in God’s hands, and what would surrendering that area look like in one practical step this week? [41:37]
- Is there a person or family in your community, workplace, school, or church who may be carrying a burden that others do not see? How could this group respond with practical care rather than only good intentions? [01:01:28]
- When wars, disasters, cultural hostility, or alarming headlines fill your attention, what usually happens in your heart—fear, anger, distraction, or trust? What practice could help you remain alert and hopeful in Christ instead of controlled by fear? [54:16]
- Are you ready to meet Christ through repentance and faith in Him? If you have that assurance, who is one person you can pray for and intentionally encourage toward Jesus this week? [57:32]
