Mark 12:18-27
18 And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man[a] must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.”
24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.”
Main Idea
THE ANSWERS ARE FOUND IN BOTH GOD AND HIS TRUTH.
Outline
1: Examine your pursuits in light of God and his truth
2: Examine your POSITION in light of God and his truth
3: Examine your PREsuppositions in light of God and his truth
Discussion Questions
EXAMINE YOUR PURSUITS IN LIGHT OF GOD AND HIS TRUTH (VV18-24)
1. The Sadducees come to Jesus with a question about the resurrection, even though they do not believe in it. What does that reveal about their motives?
2. What is the difference between asking a question because you want to know the truth and asking a question because you want to prove yourself right?
3. Why do you think Jesus responds so directly by telling the Sadducees they are wrong?
4. Why can it be difficult for us to hear that we are wrong?
5. What happens when being right becomes more important to us than knowing what is true?
6. Are there times when debating someone is unhelpful because neither person is actually looking for truth?
7. What is one pursuit, ambition, or opinion in your life that you need to examine in light of God and God’s truth?
EXAMINE YOUR POSITION IN LIGHT OF GOD AND HIS TRUTH (V25)
1. What assumption about the resurrection are the Sadducees making in their question?
2. How does Jesus correct their understanding of life after the resurrection?
3. Jesus says people will be “like angels in heaven.” What does that mean, and what does it not mean?
4. Why does a person’s worldview matter so much for everyday life?
5. Our culture often treats religious beliefs as private. Why is it impossible for our beliefs about God and the world to remain completely private?
6. What is one belief or position in your life that you need to examine more carefully in light of Scripture?
EXAMINE YOUR PRESUPPOSITIONS IN LIGHT OF GOD AND HIS TRUTH (VV26-27)
1. How can our assumptions affect the way we read Scripture?
2. Why does Jesus point the Sadducees back to Moses and God’s words about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?
3. What does the statement “God is not God of the dead, but of the living” teach us about the resurrection?
4. What are some assumptions about life, death, truth, or purpose that Christians can unconsciously mimic from the surrounding culture?
5. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the way Christians view the past, the present, and the future?
6. What assumption in your own life might need to be challenged by God and God’s truth?
Looking Forward
There is nobody like Jesus! His truth sets us free. What is one pursuit, position, or presupposition in your life that you need to examine more honestly in light of God and God’s truth this week?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
• Humility to receive correction when we are wrong
• A greater desire to know God’s truth than to simply be right
• Hope and confidence rooted in the resurrection of Jesus