Taking it Home 

What is the guiding principle taught by Romans 13:9-10, Galatians 5:14, and James 2:8? How do you apply this in your workplace or family?

Things That Are God's The Greatest Command Mark 12:28-34

Dr. Matthew R. St. John Bethel Church March 22, 2015

The Greatest Command Notes:

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Pastor Matthew shared from 1 John 4:19. What is the significance to you personally in the order of love expressed in this verse? God loves you and you respond to His love.

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Who do you know that is most like the scribe in this story? Someone who knows God’s values and may even look the part. Someone who is thoughtful and even wise toward God but not yet in the Kingdom. Pray for them by name in your group this week.

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Ask God to reveal to you any areas of obedience that have become ritual rather than obedience motivated by God’s love for you. Return to the joy that is yours in Christ as you remember His love for you and those you encounter in your realm of influence.

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At Home Study Guide For the week of March 22, 2015 Mark 12:28-34

Growing Deeper 

Read all of Mark 12. Remember that Jesus and His disciples are being confronted by hostile leaders (11:27) trying to persuade the crowds that He is a false teacher. Notice the movement of the questions from political (14) to theological (23) to legal (28). The Pharisees, Sadducees and now the scribes are all on record for challenging Jesus. What stands out about this last encounter that is different than the first two?

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Read Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:4-5. What is the significance of Jesus combining these two into one?

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Why would these four passages be significant to the scribe in Mark 12:32-33? Deuteronomy 4:35

Quick Review As a modern reader of Mark 12 we may miss the common language presented by the scribe at the end of the chapter. Most likely, this scribe is a man of influence. The text tells us he is impressed with Jesus. This scribe watched while the Pharisees and Sadducees have battered Jesus with hard questions. As a scribe, we can assume this man was well educated in the law. As a legal professional he would have studied the various points of view maintaining a professional freedom to navigate between major camps of thought. This made him an ideal candidate for the final challenge Mark records in chapter 12. The Pharisees and Sadducees came up short. Maybe this legal expert could prove once and for all that Jesus was not who He claimed to be. Throughout the scribal tradition, they regularly challenged one another to find a guiding principle for the 613 laws established by Moses in the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures. The man comes with a favorable attitude toward Jesus; he found Jesus’ answers were satisfying. They weren’t simply clever but were wholesome answers that satisfied the questions. The question, and his attitude, proved to the crowds that this man was close to the Kingdom of God.

Deuteronomy 6:5 Isaiah 45:21

My Story 

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Exodus 20:3

What do you remember about the message from Sunday? 

Professionally, the scribe’s life centers around sacrificial regulations. When he demotes the role of sacrifice in 12:33, he is reflecting a kingdom value taught by Jesus. How does Mark 12 compare to: Hosea 6:6; 1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:10–17; Jeremiah 7:22–23.

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The scribes were some of the smartest legal experts of the day. Consider these four passages to get a sense for where they stand with Jesus and later His followers: Matthew 26:57–66

Have you ever been pushed forward as a leader of a group even if you weren’t sure you wanted to be the leader? What was that like for you?

Who do you know that intellectually agrees with the history of Jesus but doesn’t trust Him as their savior?

Matthew 27:41–43 Luke 23:10 Acts 6:12–14