CONSIDER THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM
Mark 4:21-34
Key Verse: 4:31-32
1. How does the placement of lamp reveal its purpose (21)? How does this reveal Jesus’ intention in telling parables (22)? Why did Jesus emphasize having ears to hear (23)?
2. In order to understand the meaning of Jesus’ parables, what should we do (24a)? What does it mean to you to “consider carefully what you hear”? How does Jesus’ analogy encourage us to devote our attention to thinking about his words (24b-25)?
3. What is the kingdom of God like (26)? What does this parable teach us about the power of the gospel (27)? What can we learn about God’s kingdom from the seed’s independence from the sower, the stages of growth, and the certain harvest (28-29)?
4. Read verses 30-32. What do Jesus’ questions teach us about the mystery of the kingdom of God? What does the parable of the mustard seed reveal about God’s kingdom? How does this describe Jesus’ gospel ministry (Lk 2:12; Da 2:44; Mk 16:15)?
5. How did Jesus help the crowd to understand the word (33)? What privilege was given to his disciples (34)? Through these parables, how did Jesus plant faith and vision in his disciples?