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…?