The "Sins" of Jesus - Study Guide 3
Getting Started
If you grew up Adventist, what Sabbath rule seemed the most dumb to you?
Today's Passage
Mark 2:23-27 NIV
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions." Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
Today's Passage
Mark 3:1-6 NIV
Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Put yourself in the story as the various characters. What were they thinking, observing, and experiencing?
-Pharisees -The man who was healed -Disciples -Jesus
Think about it
What sin do the Pharisees accuse Jesus of, and had you been there, would you have felt the same way?
Think about it
How do you feel about the emotions attributed to Jesus in verse 5?
Write it down
On a piece of paper write a list of Sabbath-keeping rules that your whole group agrees on (work, amusement, church attendance, activities to avoid).
Think about it
Is this list based on the Bible or traditions?
Wrap Up
What did you learn about God from this passage? What did you learn about yourself?
Action
How can this passage help you in the context of living as a Christian in 2012? What must I change? What decisions must I make? What action must I take?
Prayer Time
Pray for each other.