The following discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on December 16, “I Will Turn the Darkness Before Them Into Light” (Mark 10:46–52). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

• The Call (Mark 10:46–50)
  
  • The Call for Jesus (Mark 10:47)
    
    • The Response of the Crowd (Mark 10:48a)
    • The Response of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:48b)
  • The Call of Jesus (Mark 10:49a)
    
    • The Response of the Crowd (Mark 10:49b)
    • The Response of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:50)
• The Question (Mark 10:51)
  
  • The Question of Jesus (Mark 10:51a)
  • The Answer of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:51b)
• The Response (Mark 10:52)
  
  • The Response of Jesus (Mark 10:52a)
  • The Response of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:52b)

Main Point: The Servant promised in Isaiah has finally come.
Proof: He has come to open the eyes of the blind and lead them on the way just like Isaiah said (Isaiah 42).
Main Application Point: People who perceive their need for Jesus come to Jesus. People who are blind to their need for Jesus don’t come to Jesus.

Discussion Questions

• What did Bartimaeus believe about Jesus?
• What did the crowd think of Bartimaeus?
• In verse 49, what does Jesus do that is so significant?
• Why is it significant that Bartimaeus threw off his cloak?
• Why does Jesus ask the blind man what he could do for him? Wasn’t it already obvious since the man was blind, or is there more going on there than is obvious at first glance?
• What does Bartimaeus do after his eyes are opened? Why is his response significant in Mark’s overall message
• How does this story show that Jesus is the Servant promised by Isaiah?

Application Questions

• When have you had a moment like the crowd when you looked upon someone without compassion—as if they did not merit attention?
• Share examples of times when you cried out for mercy and Jesus stopped and showed up in mercy. What mercy do you need in your life right now? What is keeping you from crying out?
• What things from the sermon stood out to you that you can share with an unbelieving friend? What things from the sermon would you share with a believing friend?

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to see Christ as an overflowing fountain of mercy and to cry out to him!