Discussion Prompts 13.1-23

Introduction

• What is the most impressive cathedral or church you have ever seen of visited?
   

The Text: Mark 13.1-23 Page 31.8-32.20

• Read the text aloud to each other.

Discussion Questions:

• How is this text connected to Jesus’ visit, teaching, and debates in the temple in Mark 11-12?
• Discuss the comment about the massive stones and buildings and Jesus’ prophecy that these buildings will be destroyed. Why does Mark set this chapter in the context of the temple’s impending destruction? When was this prophecy of Jesus fulfilled?
• Before discussing the text make sure to do some good observing:
• What is the context of this narrative?
• Who is speaking, and to who?
• What specific questions is Jesus is answering?
• What are the repeated words, themes of the text?
• What does Jesus most want his listeners to understand?
• What themes of Mark’s depiction of Jesus are emphasized in Jesus’ narrative?
• Put yourself into the mind of one of the four disciples. What most stands out to you as you try to see things from their understanding having just witnessed Jesus teaching and debating in the temple? Put yourself into the experience of these disciples in the years immediately following Jesus resurrection and the birth of the kingdom: how might you remember Jesus’ words in your context of missionary preaching and persecution?
• What are the most important things Jesus wants his listeners to know about their immediate future? About God’s involvement in that future? 

Application reflections

• What does it mean to us to be on guard, to watch out for deception, to face suffering with faith?
• What are the parallels between what Jesus is predicting will happen to the disciples and what Jesus himself experienced?
• Why does Jesus teach about God’s sovereignty in this discourse? How is that an encouragement to be alert and on guard in suffering?
• How does preaching the gospel to all nations fit in the context of this discussion? How is that focus – the nations – part of being on guard against deception and part of suffering?