This week, Pastor Deric continues the series "The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood and Sacrifice in a Selfie World" with a message titled 'God & Government' based on Mark 12:13-17.


1.   Don’t __________ when conflicting factions align to discredit Jesus (v.13)

2.   Don’t __________ by hypocritical rhetoric that is meant to disgrace Jesus (v. 14-16)

3.   Don’t __________ to a false or forced narrative that is meant to derail Jesus (v. 17)

ICEBREAKER: What was something you thought would be easy until you tried it?

1.   In the context of the latter part of Mark 11 and into Mark 12, open hostility and conflict broke out between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities. What does this signify for those who desire to live godly lives today [cf. Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-21; and 2 Timothy 3:10-13]? 

2.   What does the writer’s comment that some of the Pharisees and Herodians were sent to trap Jesus in His words reveal about the hearts of these religious leaders [Mark 12:13]? Consider also Psalm 34:12-16; Romans 1:28-32; and 1 Peter 2:1. 

3.   Few words are more deceitful than those recorded in Mark 12:14. What was accurate in the adversaries’ assessment of Jesus? What was inaccurate [cf. Proverbs 26:22-28; Acts 13:4-12; and 2 Corinthians 11:12-15]? 

4.   Knowing the Lord disapproves of hypocrisy [Mark 12:15], what would be appropriate replacement virtues to pursue [cf. Ephesians 6:5-8; 1 Timothy 1:5; and 1 Peter 1:22-25]? 

5.   What do you learn about the character of God from the way Jesus dealt with these adversaries who were putting Him to the test [Mark 12:15]? Examine also Exodus 17:1-7; Matthew 4:7; and 1 Corinthians 10:6-13. 

6.   In your thinking, what things belong to God, and what things belong to Caesar (i.e. the civil government) [Mark 12:17]? How did you determine your answer [cf. Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 13:1-7; and 1 Peter 2:13-17]? 

7.   What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Paul of Tarsus) 

This week, Pastor Deric continues the series "The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood and Sacrifice in a Selfie World" with a message titled 'Jesus ROCKS!' based on Mark 12:1-12.

1. God _________________ to feed the world: (v. 1-8)
2. God _________________ to die for the sins of the world: (v. 6-9)
3. God _________________ as the Cornerstone of His plan: (v. 10-12)

ICEBREAKER: What was the longest trip you have taken?

1. Why do you think the parables of Jesus are such a powerful tool for teaching God’s truth [Mark 12:1]? Also consider Matthew 13:10-17; Luke 14:7-11; and Luke 15:1-3.

2. The background to Jesus’ parable in Mark 12:1-12 is likely Isaiah 5:1-7. Why are these two texts linked? What were the parallels historically, morally, and spiritually for the nation [cf. Psalm 80:1-19; Isaiah 3:14-15; and Ezekiel 19:10-14]?

3. Was it reasonable of the vineyard owner to expect fruit from his tenants [Mark 12:1-2]? Why? How does this relate to our lives today [cf. Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 3:7-10; and John 15:1-11]?

4. Is Jesus’ portrayal of humanity true to life in this parable [Mark 12:3-5]? Are people capable of unprovoked violence and the mistreatment others? If so, how do you account for this kind of callous behaviour [cf. Genesis 6:11-13; Proverbs 1:10-19; and Romans 3:9-18]?

5. The tenants of Jesus’ parable represented the Jewish religious authorities. How do their comments in Mark 12:7 expose their faulty reasoning and short-sightedness? Why do you think people make evil choices and assume no consequences will result [cf. Genesis 37:18-20; Psalm 94:1-23; and John 5:19-23]?

6. What does the fact that Jesus referred to Himself as a rejected Cornerstone indicate to His followers how they will likely be treated by their contemporaries [cf. Mark 8:31-38; Acts 4:5-12; 1 Peter 2:4-8]?

7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” (Jesus of Nazareth)

This week, Pastor Deric continues the series "The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood and Sacrifice in a Selfie World" with a message titled 'Hosanna in the Highest!' based on Mark 11:1-11.

1.      His ___________ (v. 1)
2.     His ___________ (v. 2-6)
3.     His ___________ (v. 7-10)
4.     His ___________ (v. 11)

This week, Pastor Deric continues the series "The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood and Sacrifice in a Selfie World" with a message titled 'Jesus Teaching About Divorce Pt 2' based on Mark 10:1-16. He adds some perspective from John 1:16-18.

ICEBREAKER: What well-known person does the most good for the world?

1. What are the specifics of the Mosaic law that governed divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1-4? According to v. 4, why could her first husband not marry her again? Why does this matter [cf. Isaiah 24:5; Jeremiah 3:1; and Hosea 1:2]?

 

2. Proverbs 5 provides excellent advice on how to divorce-proof your marriage. What principles are given to help you prioritize your marriage [cf. Proverbs 9:13-18; Ecclesiastes 9:9; and 1 Corinthians 7:1-7]?

 

3. According to Malachi 2:13-16, God views marriage as a covenant. What does this mean, and what are the consequences of breaking it through divorce [cf. Isaiah 54:6; Jeremiah 9:2; and 1 Timothy 3:2]?

 

4. Jesus contradicted the popular teachings of the rabbis of His day in Matthew 5:31-32. They were looking for loopholes; He was looking at the heart. What do you learn about the seriousness of marriage from Jesus’ comments in Matthew 5:32 [cf. Luke 16:18; Romans 7:1-3; and 1 Corinthians 7:10-11]?

 

5. The Apostle Paul used the mystery of the marriage union to illustrate Christ’s relationship with His Church [Ephesians 5:21-33]. According to these verses, what is the wife’s main responsibility? What is the husband’s main responsibility? What does this look like in practical terms [cf. Proverbs 24:3-4; Proverbs 31:10-31; and Colossians 3:18-19]?

 

6. We know the Apostle Peter was married [cf. Matthew 8:14]. What principles does he share from his marriage that are applicable to yours today [1 Peter 3:1-7]? How do the following verses [1 Peter 3:8-12] apply within the context of a godly biblical marriage [cf. Matthew 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; and 1 Timothy 2:8-10]?

7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Great marriages don’t happen by luck or by accident. They are the result of a consistent investment of time, thoughtfulness, forgiveness, affection, prayer, mutual respect, and a rock-solid commitment between a husband and a wife.” (Dave Willis)

This week, Pastor Deric shares a special Mother's Day message titled 'The Queen of the Castle" based on the book of Esther.

1. The ________ of Esther
2. The _______ of Esther

ICEBREAKER: What life lessons have you learned from your mother?

1. What do you learn about Esther’s background from Esther 2:5-11? How does her less than ideal life circumstances encourage you to face your own [cf. Genesis 50:19-21; James 1:2-4; and 1 Peter 1:6-9]?

2. How was Esther’s character portrayed in Esther 2:9, 10, and 15? Why are these desirable attributes to cultivate in life [cf. Proverbs 15:22; Proverbs 19:20; and Proverbs 23:22-23]?

3. Esther was willing to give others credit instead of being self-serving [Esther 2:21-23]. Why is this such an undervalued characteristic today? What good could possibly from turning the spotlight on others [cf. Roman 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18; and Philippians 2:25-30]?

4. Esther could have tried to save herself by keeping her nationality hidden. However, she chose, at the bidding of Mordecai, to identify with her endangered people. How does her act of courage and self-sacrifice inspire you to face your fears [cf. 1 Samuel 17:41-51; Daniel 6:19-23; and 1 Peter 3:18]?

5. How do the events of Esther 5-7 – the first dinner, the humiliation of Haman, the second dinner, and the ultimate downfall of Haman – illustrate the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility [cf. Jeremiah 18:1-11; Acts 13:48; and Philippians 2:12-13]?

6. Esther decided to petition the king by declaring her solidarity with the people of God [Esther 7:3-4]. Do you value the community of faith? If so, how do you demonstrate it [cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26; Hebrews 10:32-39; and Hebrews 13:1-3]?

7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“When Eve was brought unto Adam, he became filled with the Holy Spirit, and gave her the most sanctified, the most glorious of appellations. He called her Eve, that is to say, the Mother of All. He did not style her wife, but simply mother, mother of all living creatures. In this consists the glory and the most precious ornament of woman.” (Martin Luther)

This week, Pastor Deric continues the series "The Gospel of Mark: Servanthood and Sacrifice in a Selfie World" with a message titled 'God's Heart for Children' based on selected passages from Mark 9 & 10.

1. ______________ as God sees them (9:14-29)
2. ____________________ as Jesus illustrated (9:33-37)
3.  ________________  from temptation (9:42-50)
4. ____________________ to Jesus (10:13-16)


1. What divine characteristics did Jesus demonstrate in the healing of the demonized boy in Mark 9:14-27? How do these encourage you in your times of crisis [cf. Psalm 103:13; Colossians 2:15; and Hebrews 2:14-15]?

2. The word translated “received” in Mark 9:37 is a term of hospitality. Children in ancient times had little significance. How did Jesus’ actions and words in Mark 9:36-37 challenge the prevailing attitude regarding the value of children [cf. Psalm 131:1-3; Ephesians 6:1-4; and Colossians 3:20-21]?

3. Why do you think Jesus was particularly harsh in His condemnation of those who cause “one of these little ones who believe in me to sin” [Mark 9:42]? Examine also Proverbs 28:10; Luke 17:1-4; and Romans 14:13-23.

4. What principles for dealing with temptation to sin do you pick up from Jesus’ instruction to cut off various body parts if they cause you to sin [Mark 9:43, 45, 47]? Consider also 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:13-15; and 1 John 2:15-17.

5. The contrast between Jesus’ approach to young children and His disciples’ could not be starker [Mark 10:13]. What does this tell you about Jesus? What does this tell you about His disciples [cf. Genesis 33:5; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; and Psalm 127:3-5]?

6. What is it about a child that makes him/her the ultimate example of how to enter God’s kingdom [Mark 10:15]? Look up John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; and Galatians 3:25-26 for more insights.

7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?

“Now, as always, God discloses Himself to “babes” and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candor of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond.” (A.W. Tozer)