Follow The King
Small Group Guide: Follow the King (Mark 1:9-13)
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question: Have you ever experienced something you waited a long time for? How did it feel when it finally arrived? How does that compare to how the first-century believers must have felt when Jesus came?
Introduction
This week, we're slowing down to focus on just five verses in Mark's Gospel—the baptism and temptation of Jesus. These verses are packed with meaning that first-century readers would have immediately recognized. Our goal is to put on "first-century eyes" and discover what Mark wants us to understand about who Jesus is before we dive into His ministry.
Key Scripture
Mark 1:9-13 (Read aloud together)
"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him."
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text
The Torn Heavens (v. 10)
What does the phrase "heavens being torn open" signify? (Reference: Isaiah 64:1)
Why is this image so powerful for understanding Jesus' arrival?
What does it tell us about God's response to His people's prayers?
The Spirit Descending (v. 10)
The sermon referenced several Isaiah passages about the Spirit resting on God's chosen one. Why was this such an important sign?
What does it mean that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit at His baptism?
The Father's Declaration (v. 11)
God declares Jesus is His "beloved Son" with whom He is "well pleased." What does this tell us about Jesus' identity?
How does this connect to Psalm 2 and the promise of a coming King?
Going Deeper
The Hypostatic Union
The sermon explained that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human. Why is this important? What happens to our faith if Jesus is only one or the other?
How does understanding Jesus' full humanity help you relate to Him better?
How does understanding Jesus' full divinity strengthen your faith?
The Wilderness Temptation (vv. 12-13)
Why did the Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness immediately after His baptism?
How does Jesus' temptation in the wilderness connect to Adam and Eve's temptation in the garden?
What does it mean that Jesus "won" where Adam and Eve failed?
Jesus Emptying Himself
The sermon mentioned that Jesus had "full access to God-like deity at all times, but He chose not to use it." Why would He do that?
How does this help us understand passages like Jesus calming the storm or His suffering on the cross?
Personal Reflection
The Journey Ahead
Mark invites us on a journey to discover who Jesus really is. What excites you about studying the Gospel of Mark?
What concerns or questions do you have as we begin this journey?
Sitting in Tension
The sermon encouraged us not to rush to fill in gaps or answer all questions immediately. Why is it important to "sit in the tension" as we read Mark?
What's challenging about this approach? What might be beneficial about it?
The Holy Spirit's Power
Jesus modeled what it looks like to live empowered by the Holy Spirit while trusting God the Father. How does this change your understanding of what's possible in your own life?
Where do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength?
Key Takeaways
Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy – Everything Israel had been waiting for came to pass in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is both fully God and fully human – This isn't a contradiction; it's essential to understanding His ministry and His sacrifice.
Jesus faced Satan and won – Where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus succeeded, crushing the serpent's head through His death and resurrection.
We're invited on a journey of discovery – Mark doesn't tell us what to believe; he shows us Jesus and invites us to decide for ourselves who He is.
The most important question of our lives is: "Who is Jesus Christ to me?"
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one (or more) of the following to practice this week:
Read Mark in One Sitting
Set aside 60-90 minutes to read all 16 chapters of Mark straight through
Don't stop to analyze; just read it as a story.
Write down your initial impressions and questions
Study the Old Testament Connections
Read Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 64:1-2, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 42:1, and Psalm 2:6-8
Journal about how these passages deepen your understanding of Jesus' baptism
Thank God for His faithfulness in keeping His promises
Reflect on the Hypostatic Union
Spend time this week thinking about what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully human
When you face temptation, remember that Jesus faced it too—and won
When you pray, remember that Jesus understands your human struggles completely
Practice "Sitting in Tension"
Ask questions and sit with them for a while
Journal your questions and revisit them later to see how God answers them through continued study
Answer the Question
Take time to honestly answer: "Who is Jesus Christ to me?"
Write out your answer and be specific
Share your answer with someone this week
Closing Reflection
Question for Silent Reflection: Mark begins with a staggering claim about who Jesus is and then invites us to walk with him just long enough to see if it's true. Are you willing to take that journey? What might hold you back? What might you discover?
Closing Prayer
Pray together, asking God to:
Open your eyes to see Jesus more clearly as you study Mark
Give you patience to sit in tension and not rush to easy answers
Help you rely on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life
Reveal to each person who Jesus truly is
Transform your lives through this journey
Looking Ahead
Next Week: We'll continue in Mark 1:14-15, looking at Jesus' first message and the beginning of His ministry.
Homework: Read Mark chapters 1-3 before next week's meeting. Come prepared to share one thing that surprised you, confused you, or excited you about what you read.
Additional Resources
If you don't have a Bible, grab one from the resource counter at church
Consider getting a journal dedicated to your study of Mark
The digital notes from the sermon are available on the church app
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker
Icebreaker Question: Have you ever experienced something you waited a long time for? How did it feel when it finally arrived? How does that compare to how the first-century believers must have felt when Jesus came?
Introduction
This week, we're slowing down to focus on just five verses in Mark's Gospel—the baptism and temptation of Jesus. These verses are packed with meaning that first-century readers would have immediately recognized. Our goal is to put on "first-century eyes" and discover what Mark wants us to understand about who Jesus is before we dive into His ministry.
Key Scripture
Mark 1:9-13 (Read aloud together)
"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him."
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text
The Torn Heavens (v. 10)
What does the phrase "heavens being torn open" signify? (Reference: Isaiah 64:1)
Why is this image so powerful for understanding Jesus' arrival?
What does it tell us about God's response to His people's prayers?
The Spirit Descending (v. 10)
The sermon referenced several Isaiah passages about the Spirit resting on God's chosen one. Why was this such an important sign?
What does it mean that Jesus was anointed by the Spirit at His baptism?
The Father's Declaration (v. 11)
God declares Jesus is His "beloved Son" with whom He is "well pleased." What does this tell us about Jesus' identity?
How does this connect to Psalm 2 and the promise of a coming King?
Going Deeper
The Hypostatic Union
The sermon explained that Jesus is 100% God and 100% human. Why is this important? What happens to our faith if Jesus is only one or the other?
How does understanding Jesus' full humanity help you relate to Him better?
How does understanding Jesus' full divinity strengthen your faith?
The Wilderness Temptation (vv. 12-13)
Why did the Spirit drive Jesus into the wilderness immediately after His baptism?
How does Jesus' temptation in the wilderness connect to Adam and Eve's temptation in the garden?
What does it mean that Jesus "won" where Adam and Eve failed?
Jesus Emptying Himself
The sermon mentioned that Jesus had "full access to God-like deity at all times, but He chose not to use it." Why would He do that?
How does this help us understand passages like Jesus calming the storm or His suffering on the cross?
Personal Reflection
The Journey Ahead
Mark invites us on a journey to discover who Jesus really is. What excites you about studying the Gospel of Mark?
What concerns or questions do you have as we begin this journey?
Sitting in Tension
The sermon encouraged us not to rush to fill in gaps or answer all questions immediately. Why is it important to "sit in the tension" as we read Mark?
What's challenging about this approach? What might be beneficial about it?
The Holy Spirit's Power
Jesus modeled what it looks like to live empowered by the Holy Spirit while trusting God the Father. How does this change your understanding of what's possible in your own life?
Where do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit's power rather than your own strength?
Key Takeaways
Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy – Everything Israel had been waiting for came to pass in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is both fully God and fully human – This isn't a contradiction; it's essential to understanding His ministry and His sacrifice.
Jesus faced Satan and won – Where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus succeeded, crushing the serpent's head through His death and resurrection.
We're invited on a journey of discovery – Mark doesn't tell us what to believe; he shows us Jesus and invites us to decide for ourselves who He is.
The most important question of our lives is: "Who is Jesus Christ to me?"
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one (or more) of the following to practice this week:
Read Mark in One Sitting
Set aside 60-90 minutes to read all 16 chapters of Mark straight through
Don't stop to analyze; just read it as a story.
Write down your initial impressions and questions
Study the Old Testament Connections
Read Isaiah 40:3, Isaiah 64:1-2, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 42:1, and Psalm 2:6-8
Journal about how these passages deepen your understanding of Jesus' baptism
Thank God for His faithfulness in keeping His promises
Reflect on the Hypostatic Union
Spend time this week thinking about what it means that Jesus is fully God and fully human
When you face temptation, remember that Jesus faced it too—and won
When you pray, remember that Jesus understands your human struggles completely
Practice "Sitting in Tension"
Ask questions and sit with them for a while
Journal your questions and revisit them later to see how God answers them through continued study
Answer the Question
Take time to honestly answer: "Who is Jesus Christ to me?"
Write out your answer and be specific
Share your answer with someone this week
Closing Reflection
Question for Silent Reflection: Mark begins with a staggering claim about who Jesus is and then invites us to walk with him just long enough to see if it's true. Are you willing to take that journey? What might hold you back? What might you discover?
Closing Prayer
Pray together, asking God to:
Open your eyes to see Jesus more clearly as you study Mark
Give you patience to sit in tension and not rush to easy answers
Help you rely on the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life
Reveal to each person who Jesus truly is
Transform your lives through this journey
Looking Ahead
Next Week: We'll continue in Mark 1:14-15, looking at Jesus' first message and the beginning of His ministry.
Homework: Read Mark chapters 1-3 before next week's meeting. Come prepared to share one thing that surprised you, confused you, or excited you about what you read.
Additional Resources
If you don't have a Bible, grab one from the resource counter at church
Consider getting a journal dedicated to your study of Mark
The digital notes from the sermon are available on the church app
Posted in Follow The King