Glencairn Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend, or on your own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like.

1. Pray for the needs of your Life Group, for our church and our leaders, for personal and corporate renewal, and to allow God’s word to transform us. Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group.

2. As Jesus burst on the scene, he caused quite a stir. The Gospel of Mark records the different theories people had about who he was. Some thought he was insane, while others thought he was demon possessed. Who we understand Jesus to be is critical to how we live our life. In Mark 3:20-35 we learn the truth that he is greater than the strong man, and has come to deliver us from captivity. What thoughts or questions did the message raise for you? Which ones, encouraged you or posed a challenge to you?

3. There’s no question we live in a confusing and complex world. When we suffer, we often look for answers, or develop theories, in order to make sense of the world. How do you navigate the many theories that surface regarding the pandemic? How do you treat others, who have a different theory than you?

4. Read Mark 3:20-21; 31-35. What theory did Jesus’ family have about who he was? This is the only mention of Jesus mother in the Gospel of Mark, what do you thing was going through her mind? Why do you think they needed to “take charge of him?” Why does Jesus say to his listeners that they are his mothers and brothers? How might that have impacted his own family?

5. Read Matthew 12:22-24. What theory did the religious leaders have about Jesus? What did they base it on? How did Jesus refute their theory?

6. C.S. Lewis famously wrote that Jesus was either a liar, lunatic or Lord. But some people add a fourth theory that Jesus was simply a good teacher. Do you see Scripture supporting that theory? How would you defend your theory of Jesus, using the Scriptures?

7. Read Mark 3:22-30. What image does Jesus give in his parable? How does he refute the bad theology and faulty logic of the religious leaders? Who is the strong man? Who is able to tie up the strong man? What does the plunder represent? What does this say about Jesus’ intention to deal with Satan? How does Jesus show he is stronger?

8. Read Romans 12:14-21. Why does God tell us to bless those who curse us? Would this prevent justice from happening? What would happen if we always repaid evil with evil? What does it mean to “heap burning coals on his head?”

9. Take a moment of silence to consider how God is speaking to you. Is He asking you to make changes or to do something new? What concrete steps of response do you want to take? How can your group support you in these steps?