1. The Questioner [Mark 12:28]: Look for open hearts.
2. The Question [Mark 12:28-31]: Prioritize God’s priorities.
3. The Quest [Mark 12:32-34a]: Be a rogue among the religious.
1. According to Mark 12:28, why did the scribe pose his question to Jesus? What was so extraordinary about Jesus [cf. Matthew 7:28-29; Matthew 13:54; and Matthew 22:34-35]?
2. Why do you think both Moses in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Jesus in Mark 12:29-30 included the affirmation of God’s oneness [cf. 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:4-6; and 1 Timothy 2:5]?
3. What does it look like in real life to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength [Mark 12:30]? Also consider Joshua 22:5; Psalm 18:1-3; and John 21:15-17 for more insights.
4. What does it look like to love your neighbour as yourself [Mark 12:31]? Also look up Luke 10:29-37; John 15:12-14; and Romans 12:9-21.
5. Why is loving God and loving others more important than the religious rituals God prescribed in the Old Testament [Mark 12:33]? Also examine 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:10-20; and Micah 6:6-8.
6. Was Jesus condemning or commending the scribe when he told him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” [Mark 12:34]? Why? Study Matthew 6:33; Acts 17:24-28; and Ephesians 2:13 for further clues.
7. What did you find helpful or challenging about this Sunday’s message?
“To love you as I should, I must worship God as Creator. When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.” (C. S. Lewis)
