Internalization questions for Mark 13

Mark 13.md

Scene 1: The Destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-2)

USFM

\c 13
\s1 The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
\p
\v 1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”
\p
\v 2 \wj “Do you see all these great buildings?”\wj* replied Jesus. \wj “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”\wj*

Questions

1. Initial Observation: What did one of Jesus' disciples point out to Him as they were leaving the temple? How might he have felt about the temple?
2. Jesus' Response: How did Jesus respond to the disciple's remark about the temple's buildings? What emotions might the disciple have felt hearing Jesus' prophecy?
3. Imagining the Setting: Close your eyes and imagine standing with Jesus and the disciples, looking at the temple. How do the massive stones and magnificent buildings look? How does the prophecy of their destruction change your perception of the temple?

Scene 2: Signs of the End Times (Mark 13:3-8)

USFM

\p
\v 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,
\v 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”
\p
\v 5 Jesus said to them: \wj “Watch out that no one deceives you.\wj*
\v 6 \wj Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many.\wj*
\v 7 \wj When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.\wj*
\v 8 \wj Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.\wj*

Questions

1. Setting the Scene: Where is Jesus sitting when Peter, James, John, and Andrew ask Him about the end times? Why do you think they asked Him privately?
2. Disciples' Inquiry: What two questions do the disciples ask Jesus? How might they have felt asking these questions?
3. Warnings of Deception: What warning does Jesus give about those who will come in His name? How might this warning affect His followers' vigilance and trust?
4. Signs to Expect: According to Jesus, what are some of the signs that the end is still to come? How do these events (wars, earthquakes, famines) make you feel about the future?

Scene 3: Persecution and Endurance (Mark 13:9-13)

USFM

\p
\v 9 \wj “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.\wj*
\v 10 \wj And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.\wj*
\v 11 \wj Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.\wj*
\p
\v 12 \wj “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.\wj*
\v 13 \wj Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.\wj*

Questions

1. Guard and Persecution: What does Jesus say His followers must be on guard against? What specific forms of persecution does He mention?
2. Witnessing to Authorities: How does Jesus explain the opportunity and role of His followers when standing before governors and kings? What does this say about the spreading of the gospel?
3. The Role of the Holy Spirit: What assurance does Jesus give about what to say when arrested? How might this assurance affect you if you were in that situation?
4. Family Betrayal: What does Jesus say about familial relationships and betrayal during this time? How would such betrayal impact someone emotionally and spiritually?
5. Endurance and Salvation: What promise does Jesus give to those who stand firm to the end? How might this promise provide hope and motivation?

Scene 4: The Abomination That Causes Desolation (Mark 13:14-23)

USFM

\p
\v 14 \wj “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’\wj*\f + \fr 13:14 \ft \+xt Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11\+xt*\f* \wj standing where it\wj*\f + \fr 13:14 \ft Or \fqa he\f* \wj does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.\wj*
\v 15 \wj Let no one on the housetop go down or enter the house to take anything out.\wj*
\v 16 \wj Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak.\wj*
\v 17 \wj How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!\wj*
\v 18 \wj Pray that this will not take place in winter,\wj*
\v 19 \wj because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again.\wj*
\p
\v 20 \wj “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.\wj*
\v 21 \wj At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.\wj*
\v 22 \wj For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.\wj*
\v 23 \wj So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.\wj*

Questions

1. Abomination and Warning: What does Jesus refer to when He mentions ‘the abomination that causes desolation’? How does this connect to the prophecies in Daniel? What instructions does Jesus give to those in Judea when they see this sign?
2. Urgency and Flight: What does Jesus advise about the urgency of fleeing when these events occur? What does this tell us about the severity of the situation?
3. Compassion for Vulnerable: Why does Jesus express concern for pregnant women and nursing mothers? What does this reveal about Jesus' compassion?
4. Prayer and Timing: Why does Jesus advise praying that this event doesn’t take place in winter? What might be the additional challenges of it happening in winter?
5. Days of Distress: How does Jesus describe these days of distress? What does it tell us about the intensity and importance of these times?
6. False Messiahs and Prophets: What warnings does Jesus give about false messiahs and prophets? How can believers stay vigilant and discerning during these times?

Scene 5: The Coming of the Son of Man (Mark 13:24-27)

USFM

\p
\v 24 \wj “But in those days, following that distress,\wj*
\q1 \wj “ ‘the sun will be darkened,\wj*
\q2 \wj and the moon will not give its light;\wj*
\q1
\v 25 \wj the stars will fall from the sky,\wj*
\q2 \wj and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’\wj*\f + \fr 13:25 \ft \+xt Isaiah 13:10; 34:4\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 26 \wj “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.\wj*
\v 27 \wj And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.\wj*

Questions

1. Cosmic Signs: What cosmic events does Jesus describe that will occur following the days of distress? How do these signs affect your understanding of the scale and seriousness of these events?
2. Appearance of the Son of Man: How will the Son of Man be seen by people? What emotions might people feel witnessing such a powerful and glorious event?
3. Gathering the Elect: What action will the Son of Man take regarding His elect? How does this gathering provide hope and reassurance?

Scene 6: The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Mark 13:28-31)

USFM

\p
\v 28 \wj “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.\wj*
\v 29 \wj Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it\wj*\f + \cat dup\cat*\fr 13:29 \ft Or \fqa he\f* \wj is near, right at the door.\wj*
\v 30 \wj Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.\wj*
\v 31 \wj Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.\wj*

Questions

1. Parable of the Fig Tree: What lesson does Jesus want His followers to learn from the fig tree? What does the fig tree symbolize in this teaching?
2. Recognizing Signs: How does Jesus' teaching about the fig tree help disciples recognize the timing of these events? How does this analogy make you feel about being prepared?
3. Permanence of Jesus' Words: What does Jesus say about His words in comparison to heaven and earth? What comfort or assurance does this give you?

Scene 7: The Day and Hour Unknown (Mark 13:32-37)

USFM

\s1 The Day and Hour Unknown
\p
\v 32 \wj “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.\wj*
\v 33 \wj Be on guard! Be alert\wj*\f + \fr 13:33 \ft Some manuscripts \fqa alert and pray\f*\wj! You do not know when that time will come.\wj*
\v 34 \wj Itʼs like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.\wj*
\p
\v 35 \wj “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.\wj*
\v 36 \wj If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.\wj*
\v 37 \wj What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”\wj*

Questions

1. Unknown Timing: According to Jesus, who knows the day or hour of these events? How does this impact the way we live our lives daily?
2. Call to Alertness: What does Jesus advise His followers to do since they do not know the precise timing? How does being on guard and alert affect your spiritual discipline?
3. Parable of the Servants: How does Jesus’ analogy of the man going away relate to being prepared for His return? What specific tasks or attitudes does this suggest we should have?
4. Watchfulness: How does the repeated emphasis on watching and not sleeping speak to you personally? How can you incorporate this vigilance into your daily life?

Summary Questions

1. Reflect on Persecution and Endurance: How does the passage prepare believers for potential hardships and the need for resilience?
2. Importance of Deception Awareness: What practical steps can you take to avoid being deceived by false messiahs and prophets based on Jesus’ warnings?
3. Hope and Expectation: Despite the challenging signs of the end times, what hope do believers have in the coming of the Son of Man and the gathering of the elect?
4. Vigilance and Faithfulness: How do Jesus’ teachings in this passage encourage you to remain vigilant and faithful in your daily walk? What changes might you need to make to align with these instructions?