Bible Reading
Mark 9:14-29 “And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
[38:20]Mark 9:2-8 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.”
[42:55]Matthew 17:20 “He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
[55:19]Observation questions
- In Mark 9:14–29, what three groups are present when Jesus comes down to the crowd, and what is each group doing or experiencing?
- What details does the father give about his son’s suffering, and how long has this burden affected their family?
- What words does the father use when he asks Jesus for help, and how does Jesus respond to his “if”? [54:19]
- In Mark 9:2–8, what happens after the voice from the cloud identifies Jesus, and who is left with the disciples? [44:50]
Interpretation questions
- Why does the Father’s command to “hear” Jesus matter in the scene where Moses and Elijah disappear? What does this show about Jesus’ place in relation to the law and the prophets? [45:39]
- The father brings both belief and unbelief to Jesus. What does his response show about the difference between having perfect faith and having dependent faith? [01:03:15]
- Jesus tells the disciples that their failure was connected to prayer. How does this reveal that self-reliance can be a form of unbelief, even in people who have seen God work before? [01:00:15]
- Jesus healed the father’s son, but believers do not always receive immediate healing or changed circumstances. How can someone hold on to God’s goodness when the answer is no, wait, or healing that comes fully in heaven? [57:08]
Application questions
- Is there an area of life where you have been saying, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief”? What makes trust difficult in that situation, and what would honest prayer sound like this week? [55:46]
- When pain, grief, anxiety, infertility, addiction, loneliness, or a broken relationship does not improve quickly, what temptations rise up in your heart? How can you bring those struggles to Jesus instead of hiding them? [51:52]
- Where might you be quietly functioning as though, “I’ve got this”? Consider your work, family, finances, ministry, decisions, or relationships. What would greater dependence on Jesus look like in one specific area? [01:00:24]
- Prayer is the language of dependence. What is one regular prayer habit that could help you remember your need for Jesus rather than merely asking Him to help you return to handling life on your own? [01:01:18]
- The scribes were occupied with arguing while a hurting family stood nearby. Are there arguments, preferences, distractions, or busy routines that can keep you from noticing the real needs of people around you? What is one need you could pay closer attention to this week? [59:03]
- Saving faith rests not in the strength of a person’s faith but in Jesus Himself. How does that truth bring comfort when you feel spiritually weak, uncertain, or aware of your failures? [47:23]
