Mark 6:1-6

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Unbelief of the People of Nazareth

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Jesus is more than a carpenter or the Son of Mary.

  2. The sin of unbelief hinders the work of the Lord.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don't let unbelief limit the blessing of God in your life.

  2. Don't be discouraged by the negative attitude of close friends and relatives.

  3. Don't reject the Lord once too many times.

QUESTIONS

  1. What was the response to Jesus' previous ministry in Nazareth?

  2. After this return of our Lord to Nazareth, did He return again? How did the Lord respond to the second rejection at Nazareth?

  3. Are there Christians in Nazareth today?

  4. What do people think of Jesus today?

  5. Should we revere Mary?

  6. Jesus could do no mighty work in Nazareth. Why? Didn't He have the power?

  7. Why couldn't the Israelites enter into the promised land?

ANSWERS

  1. Read Luke 4:16-30.

  2. There is no record of Jesus ever visiting Nazareth again. After Jesus gave the opportunity to receive Him, people turned their backs on Him and hearts were hardened, so He left them alone.

  3. There is no record of Jesus ever visiting Nazareth again. After Jesus gave the opportunity to receive Him, people turned their backs on Him and hearts were hardened, so He left them alone.

  4. Few doubt His existence, for there is much solid evidence. But reactions differ in that some say He is just a man, albeit a good man. Some may give Him divine status, but not full deity. But He is God, with all the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in Him. See Colossians 2:9.

  5. Too often Mary is put on a plane with the Lord Jesus, or even higher. Some say that they can pray to her more readily than they can to the Lord Himself. She was a godly woman, and given a wonderful role to play in human history, but she was not nor is deity, and as such, should not be worshipped.

  6. It was not that the Lord lacked the power, but there was the deadly sin of unbelief. He chose not to do miracles in such a climate of unbelief.

  7. Read Hebrews 3:7-19.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. If, as a Christian, there is limited power in your life, how can you change this?

  2. Have you been discouraged in your Christian life and work by friends and/or relatives? If so, what should you do about it?

CHALLENGE

  1. Do not let criticism or the sin of unbelief hinder the work of the Lord in your life.

KEY VERSES

  • "Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.' He marveled because of their unbelief...then He went about teaching." (Mark 4.4, 6)

Mark, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsMark 6:1-6