THE VERY LAST, AND THE SERVANT OF ALL 

Mark 9:30-50, 

Key Verse: 9:35

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 

1.What did Jesus continue to teach his disciples (30-31)? What did Jesus further reveal this time? What does “delivered into the hands of men” mean? Instead of taking Jesus’ teaching to heart, what did they argue about (32-34)? What does this show about them?

2. What did Jesus teach them about who can be first (35)? What does it mean to be “the very last, and the servant of all”? What  did  Jesus demonstrate by taking a little child? (36-37) Who are little children like? What happens when we welcome a little child in Jesus’ name? How is this related to being first?

3.What does John’s report to Jesus tell us about him (38)? What did Jesus instruct him and why (39-40)? What does Jesus promise anyone who serves his people (41)? Why did Jesus emphasize “in my name”? How should we view anyone who serves in Jesus’ name today?

4.Who are the little ones Jesus is concerned about (42)? What does “cause someone to stumble” mean (43-47)? How must we deal seriously with what causes people to stumble? How did Jesus describe and warn about hell for the unrepentant (44,46,48)?

5.What does it mean to “be salted with fire” (49)? How is salt good (50a)? What are the consequences of losing saltiness? How can we be salty (50b)? What do we learn from Jesus about being the very last and the servant of all?