October 21, 2018 – Mark 10:23–31

Title: With Man It is Impossible

​Reflection Questions:

1. When the disciples ask Jesus, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus responds by saying, "With man it is impossible, but not with God" (Mark 10:26-27). Why is it important for us to remember that we cannot save ourselves but must rely on God for salvation? 

2. Jesus says, "there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time . . . with persecutions" (Mark 10:29-30). Jesus warns us that while we will receive a hundredfold we will also face persecutions. How might we face hardships because of our faith in our lives? 

3. Last week we heard the story of the rich young man who was called to sell all that he had and to come follow Jesus (Mark 10:17-22). This week we hear that we may need to leave our houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children, and/or lands for the sake of Jesus and the gospel (Mark 10:28-29). In other words,, we must put Jesus first in our lives but often doing so comes with a cost. Yet, Jesus promises that we will receive a hundredfold now and in the age to come eternal life (Mark 10:30). How does keeping our focus on eternity help us to keep our priorities straight and give us encouragement during life's difficulties? Consider Mark 8:35-36.