Discussion Questions

  1. The tables in the temple created a barrier that prevented people from entering into the presence of God. What do you think are the common barriers or issues that prevent non-Christians from wanting to hear about the Gospel?
  2. What do you think are the common barriers or issues that distract Christians and pull them away from the heart of God?
  3. What are some barriers in your life that might distract you or others from seeing the light of Jesus in you? (If you can’t think of anything currently, think about if there were any barriers for you in the past and share about that).

READ MARK 11:11-22, THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW

  1. What does this passage tell me about God and about people?
  2. If I believe today's teaching is from God and that He loved me so much He sent Jesus to die for me, what is the appropriate way to respond in my everyday life?
  3. Who can I talk to more about this or share this with?

Spend time sharing prayer requests as a group, and close your time in prayer together.

This week in Mark, Jesus cursed a fig tree that metaphorically represented the lack of fruit of the temple. In the temple, they had set up tables that took advantage of the poor and created barriers that stopped people from being able to worship God. Sam challenged us to identify what are the “tables” in our own lives that prevent us or others from entering into God’s presence.

Quote of the Week

Does Jesus have authority in your life? Are you submitting to his authority to be able to say: “Lord, what are the tables in my life that are keeping me and causing me to stop others from seeing you? What is the work that you want to do to clean house in me?” I can't answer this for you. You need to say: “Holy spirit, show me what it is in my life that's hindering me from coming into your presence, and what’s causing me to stop others from coming into your presence?” Maybe it's my witness. Maybe it's the words I'm speaking. Maybe it's the words I'm not speaking. Maybe there's not a holy boldness in my life to lovingly come alongside somebody else and to be able to show them who God really is. - Pastor Sam

Scripture

  • Mark 11:11-22 (NLT) - 11  So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples. 12  The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13  He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14  Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it. 15  When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16  and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. 17  He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” 18  When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching. 19  That evening Jesus and the disciples left the city. 20  The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21  Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!” 22  Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God.  
  • Isaiah 56:7 (NASB95) - Even those I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
  • Jeremiah 7:11 (NASB95) - Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares the Lord.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) -  Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
  • Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95) - Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.