Marriage, Children, and the Kingdom of God: Lessons from Mark 10

Mark 10 presents challenging teachings on marriage, wealth, and discipleship. Jesus emphasizes the importance of faith, humility, and service. Through His words and actions, He shows us that the way to true life in God's kingdom involves selfless sacrifice and complete reliance on God's grace.

Verses 1-12: Jesus' Teaching on Divorce

Jesus responds to the Pharisees' question about divorce by affirming the sanctity of marriage, saying that what God has joined together, man should not separate.

Verses 13-16: Blessing the Little Children

Jesus blesses the little children and says that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a child.

Verses 17-31: The Rich Young Ruler

A rich young ruler asks Jesus about eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell all he has, give to the poor, and follow Him, but the man goes away sad. Jesus then talks about the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

Verses 32-34: Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Third Prediction)

On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus again predicts His death and resurrection, detailing the sufferings He would undergo.

Verses 35-45: The Request of James and John

James and John ask Jesus to grant them seats of honor in His glory. Jesus replies by teaching about the nature of true greatness—becoming a servant and giving one's life as a ransom for many.

Verses 46-52: Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

Near Jericho, Jesus heals a blind man named Bartimaeus who calls out to Him in faith.

In Mark 10, Jesus offers profound teachings about marriage, the kingdom of God, and the true cost of discipleship. Through diverse narratives—ranging from discussions about divorce to healing a blind man—we gain insights into the depth of God's kingdom and Jesus' mission.

Marriage and Divorce
The Kingdom of God
Wealth and Poverty
Service and SacrificeJesus' Teaching on Divorce
Blessing the Little Children
The Rich Young Ruler
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (Third Prediction)
The Request of James and John
Jesus Heals Blind BartimaeusJesus
The Pharisees
The Disciples
Little Children
A Rich Young Ruler
James and John (disciples)
BartimaeusRegion of Judea across the Jordan
On the road going up to Jerusalem

1. How does Jesus' teaching on divorce in verses 1-12 challenge or affirm your understanding of marriage?

2. What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child?

3. What does the encounter with the rich young ruler reveal about the dangers of wealth and the nature of discipleship?

4. How does the third prediction of Jesus' death and resurrection add to your understanding of His mission?

5. In the request of James and John, how do you see your own desires for significance or recognition reflected?

6. What does the healing of Bartimaeus teach us about faith and persistence?

7. How does Jesus' teaching about greatness in the kingdom of God challenge worldly concepts of success and power?

8. How can you apply the lesson from the rich young ruler to your own life? Are there things you value more than following Jesus?

9. How can you cultivate a childlike faith as Jesus encourages in verses 13-16?

10. What does it mean in a modern context to give one's life as a ransom for many?

11. Why do you think Jesus' teachings on wealth and poverty were so counter-cultural then and remain so today?

12. How do you feel when you read Jesus' clear expectation of self-sacrifice for His disciples? Is it challenging, inspiring, daunting, or something else?

13. Can you identify ways in which you might have been blind in your faith, and how you can learn from Bartimaeus' encounter with Jesus?

14. What does it look like in your everyday life to serve others as Jesus instructed His disciples?

15. In the context of modern relationships and society, how can Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce be applied?

16. How can Jesus' interaction with children influence your approach to younger generations within the faith community?

17. How does the rich young ruler's response to Jesus challenge your own responses to God's commands?

18. How can you demonstrate servant leadership in your own life, following the example of Jesus?

19. In what ways have you experienced the truth of Jesus' statement that many who are first will be last, and the last will be first?

20. What steps can you take to cultivate a faith that persists in calling out to Jesus, like Bartimaeus, even when others might try to silence you?