The Hard Sayings Of Jesus Devotional Alderwood Student Ministries April 2016
ASM Devotional April 2016 The Hard Saying of Jesus Name: 1
Introduction: Table of Contents How to Study the Bible... 3 Study Schedule: Week 1, April 11-17 Day 1... 4 Day 2..... 7 Day 3... 9 Week 2, April 18-24 Day 1... 11 Day 2... 14 Day 3... 17 Week 3, April 25-May 1 Day 1... 19 Day 2... 21 Day 3... 23
How to Study the Bible: There are a lot of great ways to study the Bible, but this devotional will lead you through a process called RIP, which stands for Read, Interpret, and Practice. Here s what that means: Read: The question to answer here is What does this passage say? We re not yet concerned with meaning or application, we are just trying to understand what the author is trying to communicate to the original audience. In this first step, you are going to read the passage slowly, making note of any important words and phrases and anything that you don t understand at first. Interpret: The question in this step is What does the passage mean? In this step, you will be looking at the observations from step one and asking what this text means both to the original audience and to us today. What Biblical truths are being communicated? What are we being taught about God? About us? Here you want to find the answers to any questions you came up with in step 1. Practice: The last question we ask is What does this passage mean for me? Here the goal is to apply the truth of this passage to our own lives. We re not looking for general ways this may apply to someone, but very specific ways your own life will change because of what you have learned. This is where God uses his Word to transform your heart! Remember to pray and ask for God s guidance as you read and study his Word. It is the Holy Spirit that will reveal his truth to you (1 Cor. 2:10). Blessings! 3
Week 1 Text: John 6.53-56 Summary John 6 is rich with Old Testament language and imagery. At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. Shortly after this amazing miracle Jesus declares himself to be the bread of life (vs. 35). Jesus references Exodus 16, God s provision of manna for Israel. He speaks of his presence as a greater provision than the manna in Exodus 16. John 6.48-50 reads, (48) I am the bread of life. (49) Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (50) This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. These verses evoke several difficult questions: What is Jesus referring to here? How does one eat of this bread? How are we to understand the promise that the one who eats of this bread will not die? This definitely qualifies as one of the hard sayings of Jesus! Read all of John 6 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 53 So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 4
Step 1 Read Week 1 Day 1 The Hard Sayings of Jesus John 6.53-56 Read the passage several times and follow the instructions for the Read Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why does Jesus reference the Exodus? What does this reveal about His own mission? 5
A Closer Look 2. How does the surrounding context, the verses that surround our passage, help us to better understand what takes place in John 6.53-56? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes/and or significant words or phrases in the passage. Memory Verse Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6.35 6
Step 2 Interpret Week 1 Day 2 The Hard Sayings of Jesus John 6.53-56 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and follow the instructions for the Interpret Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. What does this passage teach us about the purpose of Jesus coming? A Closer Look 2. Analyze and interpret the following verses. Note the words and phrases italicized and in bold. State the intended meaning. Vs. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. - Jesus is clearly not endorsing cannibalism here! Therefore, what is meant by feeding and drinking? The answer is in the preceding verses. 7
- What does the final promise in vs. 54 refer to? Where else does Jesus talk about this? (Hint: see John 11). Vs. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. - What does it mean to abide in Jesus? See John 15. Digging Deeper 3. What s the significance of Jesus referring to himself as I am? See vv. 35, 48 and 51. Memory Verse Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6.35 8
Step 3 Practice Week 1 Day 3 The Hard Sayings of Jesus John 6.53-56 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step2, and follow the instructions for the Practice Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. In what way or ways can you apply what you learned in your study of John 6 to your own life? A Closer Look 2. What s one thing you can praise God for in this passage? Write out a sample prayer. 3. How are you actively abiding in Jesus today? What does this look like? 9
Digging Deeper 4. Write out your explanation of this passage below in 2-3 sentences. How might you use this passage to share the gospel with an unsaved friend or family member? Commit to sharing your findings with one believer and one unbeliever this week. Memory Verse Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. John 6.35 10
Week 2 Text: Mark 9.42-50 Summary This section in Mark 9 is packed full of hard sayings of Jesus. Who are the little ones in vs. 42? Is Jesus being literal when he instructs his followers to sever body parts that cause an individual to sin? Is hell really a place of eternal punishment and torment? Like any of his sayings, Jesus words here must be read in context. Understanding the cultural milieu, the original language and the positioning of Mark 9 will shed light on the intending meaning of these verses. At the broader level we can be sure that Jesus words here concern sin and its seriousness. In these verses Jesus issues forth a warning! Sin has consequences, but Christ has come to deal with our sin through his perfect life, death and resurrection! Amen! Read all of Mark 9 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. 11
Step 1 Read Week 2 Day 1 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 9.42-50 Read the passage several times and follow the instructions for the Read Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why does Jesus use such strong and graphic language? What point or points is he trying to make? 12
A Closer Look 2. How does the surrounding context, the verses that surround our passage, help us to better understand what takes place in Mark 9.42-50? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes/and or significant words or phrases in the passage.. Memory Verse Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Mark 9.50 13
Step 2 Interpret Week 2 Day 2 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 9.42-50 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and follow the instructions for the Interpret Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. What does this passage teach us about sin and the Christian life? A Closer Look 2. Analyze and interpret the following verses. Note the words and phrases italicized and in bold. State the intended meaning. Vs. 42 Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea." - Who are the little ones here? - What is the warning here? 14
Vs. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. - What figure of speech is Jesus using here to make a point? - What does this passage teach us about hell? Vs. 50 Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. - What does it mean to have salt in yourselves? How does this relate to the previous verses in our passage? 15
Digging Deeper 3. Read Mark 7.14-23. What is the source of human sinfulness? Would literally severing a body part get rid of the sin problem? Why or why not? Memory Verse Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Mark 9.50 16
Step 3 Practice Week 2 Day 3 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 9.42-50 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step2, and follow the instructions for the Practice Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. In what way or ways can you apply what you learned in your study of Mark 9.42-50 to your own life? A Closer Look 2. What s one thing you can praise God for in this passage? Practice praying through this passage. 17
Digging Deeper 3. Do you tend to have a positive or negative impact on other Christians? Read Hebrews 10.24-25. How are you currently doing this? What are you currently doing to get rid of sinful behavior or sinful patterns in your life? What biblical resources are you using? Do you have an accountability partner? Lastly, are you a salty Christian? What are the evidences of this? Memory Verse Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. Mark 9.50 18
Week 3 Text: Mark 3.22-30 Summary These words of Jesus have caused many believers to lose sleep as they fearfully ponder whether or not they ve ever committed the unpardonable sin of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I believe such irrational fears can be eradicated once a believer properly understands Jesus words here in context. I am convinced that no genuine believer is capable of even committing this sin. In order to understand this hard saying of Jesus, found in vv. 28-30, we will need to look beyond these verses to the larger context of Mark 3.22-30. Read all of Mark 3 for context, then study the following portion in depth for this week s devotional. 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, He is possessed by Beelzebul, and by the prince of demons he casts out the demons. 23 And he called them to him and said to them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but is coming to an end. 27 But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. 28 Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin 30 for they were saying, He has an unclean spirit. 19
Step 1 Read Week 3 Day 1 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 3.22-30 Read the passage several times and follow the instructions for the Read Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. Answer the WHO, WHAT and WHY questions. See page 3. Who Who is this passage talking about? Who is involved? Who is speaking? What What s the main idea of this passage? What s going on? Why Why does Jesus respond the way he does in vv. 28-30? What is he responding to? 20
A Closer Look 2. How does the surrounding context, the verses that surround our passage, help us to better understand what takes place in Mark 3.22-30? Digging Deeper 3. Identify major themes/and or significant words or phrases in the passage. Memory Verse But no one can enter a strong man s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. Mark 3.27 21
Step 2 Interpret Week 3 Day 2 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 3.22-30 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1, and follow the instructions for the Interpret Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. What does this passage teach us about the purpose of Jesus mission? See specifically vv. 22-27. A Closer Look 2. Analyze and interpret the following verses. Note the words and phrases italicized and in bold. State the intended meaning. Vs. 27 But no one can enter a strong man s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. - How does this parable relate to the situation and function as a commentary for Jesus ministry? Who is the strong man? 22
Vv. 29-30 (29) but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sins (30) for they were saying, He has an unclean spirit. - Vs. 30 is key to understanding what blasphemy against the Holy Spirit refers to. Based on vs. 30 and the words of the scribes in vs. 22, what does it refer to (specifically)? Digging Deeper 3. Throughout Jesus ministry we see him casting out demons. What does this reveal about his authority and purpose in coming? Memory Verse But no one can enter a strong man s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. Mark 3.27 23
Step 3 Practice Week 3 Day 3 The Hard Sayings of Jesus Mark 3.22-30 Read the passage again, review your observations from Step 1 and Step2, and follow the instructions for the Practice Step found on page 3. Questions Start Here 1. In what way or ways can you apply what you learned in your study of Mark 3.22-30 to your own life? A Closer Look 2. What s one thing you can praise God for in this passage? Practice praying through this passage. 24
Digging Deeper 3. How does knowing that Jesus came to defeat evil affect your daily life as a Christian? Read 1 John 4.4. Our view of the future tends to affect how we live and think in the present. How does the promise of Revelation 21.1-4, the eradication of pain, suffering, evil and death, affect your life in the present? 4. At the heart of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is having an incorrect view of Jesus identity and the source behind his powerful ministry (vs. 30). In 2-3 sentences write out your view of Jesus identity and the source behind his powerful ministry. Give biblical support for your answer. Share your answer with a Christian friend this week. Memory Verse But no one can enter a strong man s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. Mark 3.27 25
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