Why Are You Here?

Introduction

A distinguished speaker was speaking in the university chapel service that morning and many guests had joined the students to hear him. He was considered a great man by many. His topic for the morning was that the world lacks good Samaritans today. To convey his point, he told a story from one of his visits to New York City. He recounted that while he and a friend were going to lunch they saw a man who had collapsed, helpless on the street. With rising emotion, he talked about how no one had stopped to help the poor man. After a solemn pause, he reached the climax of the tale as he dramatically added, "Not only had nobody bothered to stop and help this poor fellow, but on our way back after lunch, we saw him still lying in the same spot." The Lord Jesus isn't like this man. He doesn't call others to serve while considering Himself too great to serve. In fact, Jesus said He came to earth to serve - and He calls us to serve like Him. Study Mark 10:32-45 to understand Jesus' purpose in life and find purpose for your own life.

Observation

Pray

Before you study His Word, acknowledge the God who wrote it and ask Him to help you understand it and see how it should impact your life today.

Read Focus Verses

Read Mark 10:32-45 and focus especially on what these verses reveal about Jesus.

Keyword - Jesus

Jesus is the main Character in and the main Subject of these verses. Marking His Name and the references to Him helps Him stand out to us.

Jesus

Mark Jesus' Name and the references to Him in Mark 10:32-45.

Where?

Where does verse 32 say they were heading?

Disciples

What was unusual about the trip and how did the disciples respond according to verse 32?

A Warning

What did Jesus tell the disciples in verses 33-34?

Who?

Who asked Jesus a question in the next part of today's passage?

What?

What did they ask?

Response

Before answering them, what did Jesus ask them?

Reply

What was their reply to His question?

Answer

What was Jesus' two-part answer in verses 39-40?

The Others

How did the other disciples respond when they learned about it?

Instruction

What did Jesus tell the disciples in verses 42-44?

Jesus' Purpose

What does Jesus say was the two-part purpose of His life?

Interpretation

Fixed Ahead

Luke 9:51 also speaks of the fact that Jesus leading the way to Jerusalem wasn't an accident or a result of being naïve.

The Threat

John 11:8 quickly fills us in on why the disciples were afraid of going back down towards Jerusalem.

The Situation

How do these two verses help us understand the significance of the way today's passage opens?

Reaching a Climax

How does this background help you understand the timing of John and James' request?

Purposeful

In light of Jesus' purposefulness in the beginning of today's passage, read John 10:17-18.

To Save Me

What does this tell us about the Lord Jesus?

Warning #1

Today's passage isn't the first time Jesus warned the disciples about what was going to happen to Him - the first time in the Gospel of Mark is in 8:31.

Warning #2

The second of these warnings came in Mark 9:31.

Prepared

Why do you think Jesus was preparing the disciples for what was going to happen? What can you learn from this for when you are in a position of leadership?

Making Promises

Consider how Jesus replied to the request for Him to make a blind promise. What can you learn from Him about making promises?

Understanding

In Mark 14:32-36 we learn what Jesus is talking about when He asks James and John if they can drink of His cup.

The Cup

What is Jesus referring to when He refers to His cup?

Partaking

Jesus assures James and John that they will share in His suffering - Philippians 1:29 also refers to this.

Like the Master

Just a few days after the events in today's passage, Jesus explains more about this in John 15:20.

Perspective

Based on these passages, how should Christians think about suffering? Should they expect it?

First Place

Colossians 1:18 tells us who should have first place.

Seeking First Place

In 3 John 1:9-11 we read what God thinks about people trying to put themselves first.

God Resists the Proud

We see how God responds to the proud person in 1 Peter 5:5-7.

God and the Proud

What does God think of pride and those who are prideful?

Instead

We see what kind of attitude Christians should have instead in Philippians 2:3-4.

Not This…

Should a Christian try to put themselves forward and seek first place among other Christians?

But This…

What should a Christian do instead of putting him or herself forward?

Anger

At first glance, we might think the other disciples were angry with James and John because of their pride, but based on what Jesus said to them, were the other disciples angry with James and John for a good reason?

Hypocrisy

Do you ever find yourself angry at others for things you do yourself - just like the other ten disciples were angry with James and John for trying to be first since the others all wanted to be first too?

Similar

A chapter ago in Mark 9:33-35, Jesus said something quite similar to what He says in today's passage.

Washing Feet

Jesus was the greatest example of this kind of service. One of the most dramatic instances was when He took the very lowest job - washing feet - and did it for his disciples. This powerful silhouette video with the words of Scripture brings the power of the moment and Jesus' words home. (If you prefer, you can read John 13:2-17.)

Humble Servant

In Philippians 2:5-11 we see that Jesus' coming itself was an act of humble service.

Example

What are some of the ways Jesus showed us an example of being a servant?

Follow

What are some of the ways we are called to follow His example of humble service?

Below You

Based on Jesus' example of washing the disciples' feet, is there any service below a Christian?

Paul, a Servant

Notice how Paul identifies himself in Romans 1:1.

James, a Servant

Notice how James identifies himself in James 1:1.

Your Servants

2 Corinthians 4:5 reveals that Jesus Christ isn't the only one His servants serve.

Servants

If the Lord Jesus and these men who wrote the Bible were servants do we have any excuse to refuse to serve?

By Love

Galatians 5:13 tells us what is to motivate and guide our service.

How to Serve

How are we called to serve others?

Ransom

Take a closer look at the word translated ransom.

Why a Ransom?

This short post explains what it means that Jesus paid our ransom and why it was necessary.

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In Your Words

In your own words, what did Jesus mean when He said He came to give His life as a ransom?

Necessary

Romans 6:23 explains why this is necessary.

For Whom

In Romans 3:23 we see who needs to be ransomed by Jesus.

Who?

Who needs Jesus to pay their ransom?

The Exchange

Consider what 2 Corinthians 5:21 says about how God can accept ransomed sinners.

Enemies

Romans 5:6-8 shows us how wonderful this gift really is.

How?

How does it work for a sinner to be ransomed?

Believe and Confess

We see how a sinner accepts this gift of salvation in Romans 10:9-10.

How to Be Ransomed

How does a person accept God's gift of salvation?

Responding

Titus 2:13-14 tells us how a Christian should respond to the amazing truth that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for us while we were His enemies.

Hope to Live with Zeal

How should you live in light of the wonderful reality that Jesus paid our ransom?

Once More

Read Mark 10:32-45 once more in light of what you've seen in your Bible study.

About Jesus

What do you see about Jesus in these verses?

Challenge

How would you summarize in a sentence or two how these verses challenge you to live?

Application

First Place

Do you try to position yourself to get recognition and attention? What are some specific ways you do that and what are specific thoughts and actions you should take instead based on what you've seen in this passage?

Servant

Jesus came to serve. Do you think of yourself as a servant? Will you? What is one specific, practical way you will serve someone today?

Ransom

Have you accepted Jesus' gift of eternal life by turning from your sin and believing in His ransom for you by His death and resurrection on your behalf? If not, won't you do that today? If you have, take a minute to thank Him for what He's done for you.

Wrapup

Closing

We hope this study plan has changed the way you think about yourself and challenged you to view yourself as a servant of God and others.

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