Lesson 5- Miracles Around the Lake

Read for This Week’s Study

 Mark 4:35-41; Psalms 104:1-9; Mark 5:1-43; Numbers 27:17.

 

 Memory Text:

 

 “However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you’ ” (Mark 5:19).

 

 

 

Sabbath Afternoon:

 

Points:

 

1.    Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41): This demonstrates Jesus' authority over nature.

 

o   Read: Mark 4:39 - "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

 

2.    Jesus Heals the Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20): Jesus has authority over demons.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:8 - "For He said to him, 'Come out of the man, unclean spirit!'"

 

3.    Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25-34): Jesus' power to heal extends to those who have faith.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:34 - "And He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.'"

 

4.    Raising Jairus' Daughter (Mark 5:21-43): Jesus' authority over death.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:41-42 - "Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, 'Talitha, cumi,' which is translated, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.'"

 

5.    Jesus' Teachings and Miracles in His Hometown (Mark 6:1-6): The mixed reception of Jesus' ministry.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:4 - "But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.'"

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    What does Jesus' authority over nature and demons tell us about His identity?

 

o   Answer: It reinforces His divinity and His role as the Creator, who has power over all creation and spiritual realms.

 

2.    How does faith play a role in the miracles described?

 

o   Answer: Faith is crucial; the woman with the issue of blood was healed because of her faith, and Jairus believed Jesus could heal his daughter.

 

3.    Why do you think Jesus' hometown rejected Him despite His miracles?

 

o   Answer: Familiarity may have bred contempt; they couldn't reconcile the Jesus they knew with the powerful teacher and healer He had become.

 

 

 

 

Sunday: Calming a Storm

 

Points:

 

1.    Jesus’ Humanity and Divinity: Jesus was tired and slept, showing His humanity, but calmed the storm, showing His divinity.

 

o   Read: Mark 4:38-39 - "But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!'"

 

2.    Fear and Faith: The disciples’ fear contrasted with Jesus’ calm.

 

o   Read: Mark 4:40 - "But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?'"

 

3.    Jesus' Command over Nature: Jesus’ ability to command the wind and waves.

 

o   Read: Mark 4:41 - "And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'"

 

4.    Psalm 104:1-9: God's control over creation.

 

o   Read: Psalm 104:7 - "At Your rebuke they fled; at the voice of Your thunder they hastened away."

 

5.    Theophany: The event as a divine manifestation.

 

o   Read: Mark 4:39 - "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    What lessons can we draw from Jesus calming the storm?

 

o   Answer: Trust in Jesus' power and presence even in life's storms.

 

2.    How does Psalm 104 help us understand Jesus' actions?

 

o   Answer: It shows that Jesus’ control over nature aligns with God's authority described in the Psalms.

 

3.    Why is faith important in the face of fear?

 

o   Answer: Faith helps us trust in God’s power and plan, reducing fear and anxiety.

 

 

 

Monday: Can You Hear a Whisper Above a Shout?

 

Points:

 

1.    The Demon-Possessed Man’s Plight: The severe suffering of the man possessed by demons.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:3-5 - "Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains."

 

2.    Jesus’ Authority Over Demons: The demons recognizing and submitting to Jesus.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:7 - "And he cried out with a loud voice and said, 'What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.'"

 

3.    The Pigs’ Demise: The demons entering the pigs and their subsequent destruction.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:13 - "Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea."

 

4.    The People’s Fear: The townspeople's reaction to Jesus' power.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:15 - "Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid."

 

5.    The Man’s Testimony: Jesus instructing the healed man to spread the word.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:19 - "However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, 'Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.'"

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    What does this story teach us about Jesus’ power over evil?

 

o   Answer: It shows that Jesus has ultimate authority over all evil forces and can deliver us from their grip.

 

2.    Why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the pigs?

 

o   Answer: To demonstrate His power over them and the destructive nature of evil.

 

3.    How did the healed man’s testimony impact his community?

 

o   Answer: His transformation and testimony likely brought awareness of Jesus’ power and compassion.

 

 

 

Tuesday: On the Roller Coaster With Jesus

 

Points:

 

1.    Jairus’ Desperation: A synagogue leader seeking Jesus for his dying daughter.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:22-23 - "And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, 'My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.'"

 

2.    The Woman’s Faith: A woman with a chronic illness touching Jesus’ garment.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:27-28 - "When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, 'If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.'"

 

3.    Jesus’ Compassion: Jesus stopping to address the woman.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:30 - "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched My clothes?'"

 

4.    Jairus’ Faith Tested: News of his daughter’s death and Jesus’ reassurance.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:36 - "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not be afraid; only believe.'"

 

5.    The Girl’s Resurrection: Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter.

 

o   Read: Mark 5:41-42 - "Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, 'Talitha, cumi,' which is translated, 'Little girl, I say to you, arise.' Immediately the girl arose and walked."

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    How did Jairus’ and the woman’s faith impact their situations?

 

o   Answer: Their faith in Jesus' power and compassion resulted in miraculous healing and restoration.

 

2.    Why did Jesus stop to address the woman despite the urgency of Jairus’ request?

 

o   Answer: To publicly acknowledge her faith and to teach the importance of personal interaction and spiritual healing.

 

3.    What can we learn from Jesus’ response to Jairus when he received the news of his daughter’s death?

 

o   Answer: Jesus encourages us to maintain faith and not succumb to fear, even in seemingly hopeless situations.

 

 

 

Wednesday: Rejection and Reception

 

Points:

 

1.    Jesus in Nazareth: Jesus teaching in His hometown and facing rejection.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:1-3 - "Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, 'Where did this Man get these things?'"

 

2.    The Nazarenes’ Doubt: Skepticism from those who knew Jesus’ background.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:3 - "Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?' So they were offended at Him."

 

3.    Limited Miracles: Jesus’ limited miracles due to their unbelief.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:5-6 - "Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief."

 

4.    Sending Out the Twelve: Jesus sending out His disciples to minister.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:7 - "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits."

 

5.    John the Baptist’s Death: The execution of John the Baptist by Herod.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:27-28 - "Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother."

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    Why did Jesus’ hometown reject Him?

 

o   Answer: Their familiarity with Jesus’ ordinary background led them to doubt His authority and divine mission.

 

2.    What can we learn from Jesus’ experience of rejection?

 

o   Answer: Even Jesus faced rejection, teaching us to remain steadfast in our mission despite opposition or disbelief from others.

 

3.    How does the contrast between the Apostles’ mission and John the Baptist’s death illustrate the risks of following Jesus?

 

o   Answer: It highlights that following Jesus can lead to great works but also entails significant risks and sacrifices.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday: A Different Kind of Messiah

 

Points:

 

1.    Feeding the 5,000: Jesus miraculously feeding a large crowd with minimal food.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:41-42 - "And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled."

 

2.    The Disciples’ Doubt: The disciples initially doubting the possibility of feeding the crowd.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:37 - "But He answered and said to them, 'You give them something to eat.' And they said to Him, 'Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?'"

 

3.    Jesus’ Compassion: Jesus’ motivation to feed the crowd out of compassion.

 

o   Read: Mark 6:34 - "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things."

 

4.    Misunderstanding the Messiah: The crowd’s expectation of a political Messiah.

 

o   Read: John 6:15 - "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone."

 

5.    Jesus’ Spiritual Leadership: Jesus focusing on spiritual rather than political liberation.

 

o   Read: John 6:27 - "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    What does the feeding of the 5,000 teach us about Jesus’ compassion and provision?

 

o   Answer: It shows Jesus’ deep care for people’s needs and His ability to provide abundantly.

 

2.    How did the people’s misunderstanding of the Messiah affect their response to Jesus?

 

o   Answer: Their expectation of a political leader led them to miss the spiritual significance of Jesus’ mission.

 

3.    Why is it important to have a correct understanding of Jesus’ mission?

 

o   Answer: It helps us align our expectations and lives with His true purpose and teaching, focusing on spiritual growth and salvation.

 

 

 

Friday: Further Thought

 

Points:

 

1.    Ellen G. White on Hearing God’s Voice: Emphasizing the importance of discerning and following God’s guidance.

 

o   Read: "The Desire of Ages," p. 333 - "It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ."

 

2.    Finding True Rest in God: The peace and rest that come from being in God’s presence.

 

o   Read: Matthew 11:28-29 - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

 

3.    Popular Misunderstandings about Jesus: How misconceptions can lead to unbelief.

 

o   Read: John 1:11 - "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him."

 

4.    Jesus’ Refusal to Be a Political Leader: His focus on a spiritual kingdom rather than an earthly one.

 

o   Read: John 18:36 - "Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.'"

 

5.    Personal Experiences and Knowledge of God’s Will: The role of personal experience in understanding and fulfilling God’s will.

 

o   Read: Romans 12:2 - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

 

Discussion Questions:

 

1.    How would you respond if someone asked you, 'What has Jesus freed you from?'

 

o   Answer: Sharing personal testimonies of how Jesus has delivered us from sin, fear, hopelessness, and other struggles, leading to a life of peace and purpose in Christ.

 

2.    Discuss why God sometimes allows a good person such as John the Baptist to be placed in prison and executed. What solace or hope can we find despite these difficult things?

 

o   Answer: God’s purposes may include testing faith, serving as a witness to others, or fulfilling a greater plan. Our hope lies in God's ultimate justice and the promise of eternal life.

 

3.    What lessons are there in the feeding of the 5,000 for a church congregation with few resources?

 

o   Answer: Trusting in God's provision, using what we have faithfully, and relying on God's power to multiply our efforts can lead to miraculous outcomes.