Daily Readings (Page 143)

Why did Jesus forgive that man’s sins first of all, instead of healing him right away?  

What do we learn from verse 4 about the houses the people lived in? Why did those men go to great lengths to get Jesus to see that paralyzed man?

What was Jesus focused on when the people gathered together? What were many of the people gathered for?

What do you learn about leprosy, and how was a leper to be treated (Leviticus 13)? How does this help you understand more fully the actions of the leper and of Jesus in Mark 1:40-45?

Casting out demons is becoming a recurrent theme (vv. 23-26, 32-34, 39). Why is this important to Mark?

What do we learn about the disciples in verses 36-37, and what did Jesus teach the disciples (verse 38)?

Why does Jesus, the Holy Spirit-endowed Son of God, need to pray?

Explain why the demons’ knowledge of Jesus led to His forbidding them to speak.

Why do you think Mark includes the story of Jesus’ healing of Simon’s mother-in-law?

Why do we need the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Why is it important to know how the Holy Spirit works in us, with us and through us?