Jesus Clears the Temple

The Believers Life Style Bible Study
Presents
Jesus Clears the Temple
Scripture References
Mark 11:12-19
February 6, 2016
Presented by Michael Webb

 Open It

  1. *If you could change one thing about your church, what would it be?
  2. How well do you think your church fulfills its purpose?
  3. Over what are you most likely to lose your temper?

Explore It

  1. Where did the events of this story take place? (11:12)
  2. Where did Jesus go? Why? (11:12-13)
  3. *Why did the fig tree have no fruit? (11:13)
  4. *What did Jesus do to the fig tree? Why? (11:13-14)
  5. How did this event differ from every other miracle Jesus performed? (11:13-14)
  6. *What do both the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple tell us about Jesus’ attitude toward the people of Israel? (11:13-17)
  7. What happened when Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem? (11:15-18)
  8. Whose authority was Jesus challenging when He drove the money changers from the temple area? (11:17)
  9. What was Jesus saying about His own authority? (11:17)
  10. Why was Jesus so upset about the “marketplace” atmosphere in the temple? (11:17)
  11. How did the crowds and the religious leaders react to Jesus’ actions in the temple? (11:18)

Get It

  1. Why do you think Jesus cursed the fig tree?
  2. How do you think the disciples reacted to hearing Jesus curse a fig tree?
  3. *The fig tree had leaves but no fruit; what is one area of your life that looks good, but isn’t producing what God wants?
  4. *How can you grow and become more productive in one of your weak areas?
  5. What difference does it make to you that Jesus showed anger?
  6. What practices in the church today do you think hinder non-Christians from coming to Christ?
  7. Where is God’s temple today?
  8. How should we treat God’s temple?
  9. How do you need to change your attitudes or actions when worshiping?

Apply It

  1. *What specific steps can you take this week to concentrate on a weak area of your spiritual life, aiming to bear fruit for the Lord?
  2. How can you show respect for God’s temple?

 

The Fig Tree Withered

12 Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

And His disciples heard it.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.