Primary Text: Mark 6:7-30
Memory Verse: And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Mark 6:7-9
Introduction:
Jesus charged the twelve to go out and share the good news and minister to the needs of people. Prior to this point in time, Jesus spent a great deal of time teaching the disciples, but now He gave them His authority. They became the representatives of Jesus and began doing what He had been doing: healing the sick, preaching repentance, and casting out demons. Jesus bestowed on them both the power and the authority to minister.
The disciples’ instructions included essential priorities: having full dependence on their relationship with God; establishing a trusting relationship with each other; and developing meaningful relationships with the persons who received them on their journey.
These three relational priorities should be part of our lives today. First and foremost, we are to have a relationship with God. That relationship should be developed through prayer and study of the Word. We are to grow in maturity and establish a firm foundation, so that when we are rebuffed, we will hold fast to the teachings we’ve learned.
Secondly, we are to have a relationship in partnership with other believers. This holds us to accountability and strengthens our witness, testimony and dedication. With two, we can be stronger. In unity we have the power to defeat any temptations the evil one may throw our way.
We are also to develop deep relationships with new believers. Through fellowship and communion, we model the Christian walk. By our words and deeds we show what a true believer is, and what he does. Through the brotherly love developed by being a part of the new believers’ lives, we give witness to the scripture, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).
Finally, we are to be the hands of Jesus extended to the world. We are to heal, to preach, to give, and to love as He did.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Why did Jesus send the disciples out in twos? Wouldn’t it have been more efficient for each person to go out alone? Mark 6:7; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Deuteronomy 17:6; Amos 3:3
- Why did Jesus tell them not to take money, supplies or extra clothes? Mark 6:8,9; Matthew 6:25-34
- What were the disciples told they could take, and why? Mark 6:8; Exodus 4:1-5; Psalm 23:4
- In Mark 6:10, what was Jesus trying to tell the disciples about the importance of establishing relationships? (See also Ecclesiastes 4:12; Psalm 55:24; Exodus 18:20; and Proverbs 27:10)
- What doom did Jesus pronounce regarding the disciples’ message being rejected? Mark 6:11; Exodus 9:9
- How does the story of John the Baptist compare to other Biblical narratives of the strife between “Kings and Prophets”? Mark 6:17-28; 1 Kings 16:29-33; 1 Kings 19:2
- Why did Herod think that John the Baptist had come back to life? Matthew 14:1-2; Mark 6:14-16; Luke 9:7-9