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Bible Talk (Explain purpose of BT: To help us know a little bit more about God and how to develop a close walk with Him).

 

Blind Bart (BB) Mk 10:46-52

Op.Q: If Jesus asked you – What do you want me to do for you? ………what would you say? (you can have fun with some answers; some serious…..this is just to break the ice).

 

Explain a little Background: J is going to suffer and die v33-34; James and John are looking for greatness v36,37; (notice that Jesus asks them the Question;  Jesus then talks about serving)

 

1. Mk 10:46-47

·         Who is accompanying Jesus? Any idea why a large crowd? (Passover near, many Jews going to Jeru)

·         What is Bart’s addressJ? Why on the outskirts? What passes by him every day? (Merchants, pilgrims, sheep and cattle, tourists, traders, visitors from outside town, etc.)

·         What could possibly be the life of a blind man? (close your eyes…try and do something. What help would you require if you were blind? – get into some detail here)    

·         Many people, including the religious leaders thought being blind man was punishment for sin

·          Where is Bart’s family? Is he being used by them for their needs? (e.g. like in Slumdog M)

·         Each of us have 5 senses…when you are deprived of one…what happens to the others? Bart probably had a keen sense of hearing (some good blind singers – Stevie Wonder, Andrea Bocelli)

·         Do you think he heard of J before? How? (publicity, word of mouth, others who were healed, people walking on the road) Who told him, what did they tell him, any offer of help?

·         When Bart comes to know it is J of N; he does 2 things. What are they? (1.shout….2. calls him Son of David) what is the difference betw J of N and J son of D? The Jewish people believed that the Messiah would come from the family of David..hence Son of David. Bart shows that he believed that J was the Messiah.

 

2. Mk 10:48  What does it mean to be rebuked? Have you ever…? How does it feel?

·         If 1 person does it..ok can handle…how many told BB?

·         How does BB react?

·         What does this tell you about BB?

The first lesson we can learn from BB: PERSISTENCE...

1.       Bartimaeus displayed persistence despite the efforts of others to silence him

2.       Are we willing to be persistent for e.g in your r’ship with God; to know  more; pray more-

3.       Why do we give up? What do you want today….how persistent are you? Do you Quit?

 

3. Mk 10:49-52 Jesus stops (on his way to Jeru, why stop for a beggar? They are all walking, talking....only BBs voice come through loud an d clear; why didn’t J move on? Answer: God hears you when you call to him with a sincere heart..in fact he stops all his busyness….

·         How does the crowd behave differently now?

·         Have you thought - Why didn’t one of them get BB to Jesus when he was shouting earlier?

·         How can we be like the crowd?  We walk with J, but are blind to the needs of others around who need help                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

·         We want a comfortable life; hang out with J… cool. ..but am I looking for other people to bring to him…who need help….and are asking for it? Do you hear the pain or cries of people around you…..or do you shout KEEP quiet!

·         How does BB react? Why?

·         J – does he know he’s blind? Yes. So why does he ask him the Q? (to  test his faith)

·         What does J say has made BB well? HIS FAITH – BB was healed becos of his faith (like the woman - bleeding)

The second lesson we can learn from BB:  FAITH...

1. What can you say about BBs faith? Why was it so strong? (also notice the contrast in the answers from James and John and from BB – to the same Q that J asked – one wanted greatness, the other, healing)

2. How can we develop such faith…..(Rom 10:17; Heb 11:6)

3. What if BB didn’t shout…how long was BB begging for..? in some ways..we can be like BB….BUT when we get the opportunity, do we respond….? What holds us back? (got to have faith..an incredible journey  God will take you through..) He knew that this was his only opportunity..he grabbed hold of it and did not let go.

What does Bart do after being healed?

      THE third lesson - GRATITUDE… Bartimaeus’ significance was that a blind beggar, an outcast of society demonstrated  that a blind man could see more clearly than sighted men.

      1. Bartimaeus followed Jesus and glorified God

      2. Like the Samaritan leper, he expressed gratitude

      3. Do we express gratitude for the many blessings God gives us?

Finally, note Bartimaeus followed Jesus.  Are you willing to show your gratitude to Jesus by following Him as His disciple, responding to the gospel of Christ…?