Bible Study Assign4

Mike Spindler (michspi@regent.edu)

BINT 500 SU08 DE

Assignment 4 (Mark 3:7-35)

NASB

Part A.2

Observation 1:

This segment (3:7-35) is a continuity of Jesus' ministry from the previous segment (2:1-3:6.) Jesus continues to heal, to speak at and cast out demons (3:10-11); call those He will work with as disciples (3:16-19); and dialogues with the scribes (3:23.) - (Cat 1) Good, but you need to give the specific verse references from the previous segment, not the entire segment reference of 2:1-3:6.

Observation 2:

The previous segment (2:1-3:6) mentions the calling of four followers (2:16, 20) while this segment outlines the completion of this group of twelve (3:16-19) as those set apart that “He Himself wanted” (3:13.) - (Cat 1) Good, but remember that we're His disciples as well. << smile >> In that way, the calling of disciples is not “completed.”

Observation 3:

There is a relationship of instrumentation in 3:9 when Jesus instructs His appointed disciples that “a boat should stand ready for Him” so that the people would not crowd Him. - (Cat 2 - Par. 1) Good.

Observation 4:

There is a cause-effect in the first paragraph. Because Jesus had healed many, therefore all those with afflictions “pressed around Him in order to touch Him.” (3:10) - (Cat 2 - Par. 1) Good.

Observation 5:

Jesus healed many (3:10) in the first paragraph of this segment and yet “He earnestly warned them [unclean spirits] not to tell who He was.” (3:12) The observation is an ideological contrast that Jesus performed miracles as God-on-earth, and yet made some effort to squash any proclamation of His identity. - (Cat 3) Good, but it's a cat 2, not a cat 3. Cat 3 includes observations made between 2 or more paragraphs of the segment, generally or at specific points.

Observation 6:

Mark creates a progression among these paragraphs toward a common goal - Jesus is The Leader and Author of this new cultus. - (Cat 4)

Para. 1: The “ministry” continues.

Para. 2: The chosen followers are called.

Para. 3: He negates the option that His authority is from Satan.

Para. 4: Jesus is set apart from His family and joined to all that do the will of God, making this more than a vocation.

Good!

Part A.3

Markan distinctions from 3:7-12:

o Mark's account is a narrative through the story, not so much a general summary.

o Mark's presentation of the multitudes following Jesus gives no indication if either the disciples/followers, the people, or the religious were really getting the depth of His message.

Okay, but be a little more specific. Look at vv. 9and 11 in Mark 3. What do you see different here than in the other Gospel references.

Part A.4 optional

Great chart!!

Part A.6 Blackboard Interaction - completed.

Mike, great job overall! Please see my comments and let me know if you have questions. Before I give you a complete for this part, please record a good cat 3 observation. I'm not sure you understand this category. Also, take a look at item 3 again on redaction criticism. I'd like to see just a little more.

Part B.2(a)

- Relationships are between 3:13-19 and 1:35-39.

Observation 1:

There is a continuity of purpose between these two segments. Jesus declared that He came to preach [the gospel] (1:38) and to cast out demons (by action), and then in the subsequent segment declaring that He was sending the twelve out to preach and cast out demons (3:14.) Jesus declares His own purpose and then extends that same purpose to the twelve. It is probably primarily a progression - in the context of Him then sending them out in an apostolic manner to each make more disciples. But in view of the assignment, it also shows continuity. - (Cat 2) Good! This is not a cat 2 observation however. The observation involves 2 segments, making it a category 1.

Question:

Why did Jesus make this activity a single event and not continuously send people out as He was preaching, healing, and delivering them? He could have realized thousands of respondents had he taken that approach. - (B) Good.

Answer:

Jesus did not come to make converts, but disciples. Discipleship takes a quantity of time that Jesus could not devote to multitudes. He needed to pour His life into twelve - and then have them reproduce into others. (Matt 10:1, Matt 28:19) Good insights!

Question:

Why did Jesus not state that in His statement prior to choosing the twelve - “And he appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him as disciples who would learn to live a new life in a new way, and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.” (3:14 & addition for illustration) - (E) If you're trying to ask an E question, then ask it this way: “What are the implications of the answer to the above question?” Or, “What are the implications of this continuity?” Remember that E questions ask about implication. Format your questions according to the chart on page 8 of the course schedule. You would not typically ask why something was not stated or something was not done.

Answer:

It wasn't really necessary. Jesus did state “so that they would be with Him.” He has also stated in other places in the Gospels what this recruitment meant. (Matt 10:32-39; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 21:15-19) Okay, but see my comments above concerning your question. I would also expound a little on “what this recruitment meant.”

Question:

What is the Greek meaning, and in context, of the phrase “be with” in 3:14? - (E) Questions of meaning or definition are A questions. For an E question, ask about implication.

Answer:

____ be, exist; happen, take place; live; be located in; remain, stay; come;… belong to, be one of

This seems to imply a relationship that is magnetic, and not just walking down the same path together, but having a shared stake in the out come of the journey. Good.

Observation 2:

I noted a contrast between the particpants participants of these two segments. In the segment containing 1:36 Simon “and his companions” searched for Jesus. There are specific men intertwined with others of the multitudes. But in the later segment (3:13) Jesus is now interacting with a very specific group of men. - (Cat 2) Good. Again, this is a cat1, not a cat 2.

(Yes, there is also a continuity of “Simon and…” but the assignment examples have already used that relationship.)

Question:

Why did Mark take note that Simon's companions were with him in the first segment and then not mention anyone else in the interactions of the later segment? - (C) Good, although this question is a bit confusing.

Answer:

It stood to reason that the disciples had friends and those friends would be following (groupies) this amazing ministry. There is no further mention of them in these segments, but it stands out that there were many around Jesus - and then Mark drops their mention as Jesus focuses on the twelve - for they were selected and set apart by God. (Luke 6:13) Good. What do the commentators say?

Per your e-mail, I know you realize that you didn't do a broad structure analysis with relations indicated. I'll give you partial credit for your e-mail outline however.

Part B.3

Spiritual truth:

This one hit me as I was looking for broad relationships. Jesus, once again, was talking to unclean spirits and again was warning them to not tell who He was. This behavior seems to negate the argument that signs and wonders were for Jesus and the disciples only. Jesus didn't heal and cast out demons to prove who He was. Had that been the intent He would not have asked the recipient or commanded the demons to keep it quiet. He healed and released people because He wanted too! He loved them. He apparently didn't want to use these as signs - either that or, he was throttling them to keep things from exploding too fast. But in either case - He was healing because He loved and had great compassion - I don't see proof in these segments that this was a method to prove Himself “Son of God.” Great! Now how would your apply this truth per the directions?

Observations - 30 points 25

Interpretive Questions - 30 points 24

Interpretive Answers - 20 points 18

Spiritual Truth with Application - 10 points 8

Grammar, Sentence Structure, Spelling - 10 points 10

Grade: 85 / Mike, pretty good job overall! Please see my comments and let me know what questions you have. Focus on your interpretive questions. These need a little work. Make sure you structure them according to the chart on page 8 of the course schedule. The Holman Study Guide also gives examples. See my comments after part A also. This part needs just a little more work.