3.29.15 | Jesus' Death

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:33-39

Our judgment day occurred on the cross. Jesus endured all the shame, pain and loss we deserved. He experienced ultimate separation from God on the cross so that we would never know the wrenching pain of being abandoned. It was a day of great darkness... disorienting and disintegrating. As long as we continue to put something else in the center of our lives to bring us identity, purpose and intimacy, we will continue to walk in darkness.

Download or listen to Jesus' Death to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. What ironies do you see in the places occupied by the robbers (see 10:37)? In the call for Jesus to save himself by coming down from the cross? In the officially posted reason for Jesus' death?
  3. What aspect of the crucifixion do you think was worst for Jesus? Physical pain? Being forsaken by God? Why?
  4. How can 2 Corinthians 5:21 help us to understand this darkness and forsaking of Jesus by God?
  5. How are the cry of Jesus (v. 34; Psalm 22:1), the tearing of the temple curtain (v. 38; Hebrews 10:19-22), and the faith of the centurion (v. 39) all related?
  6. What do you learn about Joseph (vv. 43-46)? What risks does a man of his status take by this action?
  7. What is significant about the centurion's confirmation of Jesus' death? About the eyewitnesses of His burial (Matthew 28:11-15)?
  8. Read Isaiah 53:12. How would you paraphrase it to explain what Jesus' death was all about?
  9. What curtain do you feel still separates you from God? How does Jesus' death relate to that?
  10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.22.15 | Mocking Jesus

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:16-32

The mocking of Jesus reveals how we are hostile to the claims of Christ. You either completely adore Him or you completely despise Him. But God works in the midst of weakness. The world is looking for control and weakness, but Jesus transforms and redeems weakness. Through shame and weakness, Jesus gives us a new hope and a new name.

Download or listen to Mocking Jesus to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. What mental, physical and emotional brutality do the soldiers inflict on Jesus? Why? Does their mockery stem from fear, anger, unbelief, or...?
  3. Why is Simon needed to carry Jesus' cross (see 14:65; 15:15, 19)? How might that affect him?
  4. What kinds of people were usually crucified (v. 27)? How is Jesus like them?
  5. What further insults are added to injury (vv. 29-32)?
  6. Why did Jesus go through this trial and torture when He could easily have used His great power and escaped? How does that make you feel?
  7. Reflect on Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. What do we learn about Jesus? Ourselves? Our response?
  8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.15.15 | Are You The King?

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 15:1-15

Sin is when we substitute ourselves for God. In our arrogance, we demand that God come and pay for our sins; that He come and be judged for the crimes we've committed. If we truly believe that Jesus was the Judge that was judged for you and me, we wouldn't have to live like we're always on trial.

Download or listen to Are You the King? to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. What insights into Pilate's and Jesus' character does this story offer? Why is Jesus silent?
  3. Why do the people, after witnessing Jesus' miracles, hearing His teaching and praising Him with hosannas, now demand that Jesus be crucified?
  4. Why does Pilate grant their request?
  5. What insights to the gospel do you see in the release of Barabbas in exchange for Jesus (see Mark 8:37; 10:45)?
  6. What do you think you would have done in Pilate's place? In Barabbas' place? In the soldier's place?
  7. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.8.15 | The Trial

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 14:53-72

The story of God's Word is a story of redemption. God is actively using our failures and transforming them when we bring them to His grace. We don't have to defend ourselves when we go to trial. Jesus does that. He is our advocate, our defense attorney; He has already interceded on our behalf.

Download or listen to The Trial to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. What can you infer about the fact that Peter was following Jesus, but at a distance? He is brave enough to follow Jesus to the high priest's house. Why does he now deny Christ?
  3. How ere the three denials similar? Different? In retrospect (see 14:29-31), how does Peter feel?
  4. What evidence do the chief priests initially seek against Jesus? Why do you think that Jesus, for the most part, remains silent?
  5. On what evidence is the final decision against Jesus based? Why would the chief priests see Jesus as a blasphemer?
  6. What is the significance of Jesus' messianic acknowledgement, the first direct confession recorded in Mark (see v. 62, Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13)?
  7. How seriously would a charge of blasphemy by taken by the Roman authorities (see 15:14)? How does this present a problem to the Jewish authorities?
  8. How does Jesus' behavior differ from that of the priests, elders and teachers?
  9. When, if ever, have you felt that your failures had made it impossible for Jesus Christ to use you again? What "rooster" reminds you of a failure and guilt? How does the story of Christ's death and resurrection apply to Peter? To you?
  10. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

3.1.15 | The Kiss of Death

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 14:43-52

We cannot have intimacy without vulnerability and commitment. Many of us struggle with intimacy because in that vulnerability and commitment, we were betrayed. We've experienced the kiss of death. Judas' act of love and affection was intended to hurt and betray for his own selfish ambition.

Download or listen to The Kiss of Death to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. Why is the crowd armed (v. 48)? What does this tell you about what Judas misunderstood about Jesus' mission? His kingdom?
  3. How do you think Judas turned from a disciple to a betrayer? What hints are found in these passages (Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 14:3-11; Luke 22:1-6; John 12:1-8; 13:1-4, 21-30)? What can you learn from his story?
  4. How do you account for the disciples' reactions?
  5. Considering the warning of Jesus (vv. 27-31), what do you think happened to the disciples' "bravado" and good intentions? Why do your good intentions end up going like the disciples?
  6. How did Jesus seek to help them in facing their upcoming trial (see also vv. 32-42)?
  7. In times of crisis, how do you respond: like the impulsive disciples? Like Judas? Like the streaking disciple?
  8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

2.22.15 | Drinking Your Cup

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 14:32-42

If you want to have a loving God, you have to have an angry God. Think about this logically... when someone you love is hurt, how do you respond? You get angry. If you don't have an angry God, how can you know your value in His eyes? And He was willing to take on His own wrath at the cross.

Download or listen to Drinking Your Cup to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. Why do you think Jesus warned the disciples (especially Peter) of their upcoming denial (vv. 27-31)? Why did Jesus take Peter, James and John with Him to pray (v. 33)?
  3. Why don't the disciples share Jesus' sense of urgency? How does this relate to their statements in the previous passage?
  4. What did Jesus desire most of all? Yet how did He pray? Why?
  5. Why did Jesus urge Peter specifically to "watch and pray?" For the disciples, what was the test?
  6. From this story, what key thing do you learn about Jesus? About affirming God's will?
  7. How do you feel, realizing that Jesus knows your weaknesses and failures, too?
  8. With what decision are you struggling at the moment? Where are you now in this decision? What is the main difficulty?
  9. Who do you call on when you need support in prayer?
  10. What determines for whom and what you pray? How will the Gethsemane story change the way you pray this week?
  11. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.

2.15.15 | A Supper & Dying Love

Dr. Dave Whitaker | Mark 14:12-31

All real love is substitutionary sacrifice. It doesn't matter what race you are, how much money you make, where you live, how well you have performed or how hard you have tried... we all have broken the law and must face justice. Your only hope is to take shelter under the blood of the Lamb. 

Download or listen to Drinking Your Cup to hear more.

These questions are provided for your further study and application of this message. It is helpful to discuss your answers with others such as your Community Group, family, friends or an accountability partner.

  1. What is your take away from this message?
  2. How does this meal relate to the Passover (see Exodus 12)?
  3. Why would secrecy be needed as the meal was planned? What risk was involved?
  4. What does Jesus say about His betrayer? How do the disciples react to that bombshell?
  5. What new meaning did Jesus give to the Passover bread? The wine? What vow did he make?
  6. How much to you think the disciples understood when Jesus spoke about his body and blood? What clue to the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection would later be provided by reference to the first Passover (see Exodus 12)?
  7. How would you have felt had you been at the meal? What is your focus when you partake of Communion? Why is Communion important to the body of believers (see also 1 Corinthians 11:17-34)?
  8. Write out a prayer in response to what the Lord has taught you through this study and what steps in response He might want you to take.