TN1 One of the distinctive sections of Luke's Gospel focuses upon Jesus' journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51-19:44). While Mark's Gospel does not include the rich parabolic material found in Luke, it includes the teachings which occupied Jesus' attention as the crisis in Jerusalem loomed on the horizon. This lecture might begin with the following questions: Among the issues which Jesus emphasized on His way to Jerusalem were true greatness and the Kingdom of God. What do you think Jesus might say to someone interested In being a part of God's Kingdom? What are some of the characteristics of greatness? If you were to create a profile of the greatest person you know, what characteristics would that person have?

DQ3 Should the passage be taken literally or as an example of hyperbole (exaggeration in order to make a lasting impression)? The thief is not cured of the tendency to steal simply by amputating his hand; neither would blindness eliminate lust.

DQ6 Are the teachings of Jesus viable in a society such as America where almost every family has in some way been affected by divorce? Why in a so-called Christian nation is divorce so prevalent? What do the teachings of Jesus suggest about the nature of marriage?

DQ8 What was Jesus advocating When He said the Kingdom of God belongs to little children? What are some positive characteristics of a child-like disposition?

DQ9 Why were Jesus' disciples amazed when He said it would be difficult for get rich people into God's Kingdom?

DQ10 Why Is the Kingdom of God extremely hard for rich people to enter yet and ever-present possibility? Apart from monetary resources, are there other types of riches which people place their trust or hope in? How are verses 28-31 related to the previous lesson? When Jesus promised that a person making sacrifices would be repaid one-hundred fold, was He promising a hundred to one return on financial gifts given toward God's work? How could anyone have one hundred mothers"?

DQ12 Why did the Apostles of Jesus find this message almost impossible to comprehend?

DQ13 What does the request of James and John indicate about their understanding of greatness and the Messianic Kingdom? Why were the ten angered by the request of James end John (v. 41)?

DQ2 What does this passage suggest about the disciples' view of greatness? How does society's view of greatness conflict with Jesus' view?

TN4 The word translated "hell" is "gehenna," a reference to the "valley of hennom" outside of Jerusalem Which had previously been the site of pagan sacrifices (Cf. Jer. 19:5-61.) In New Testament times, it was used as a garbage dump where smoldering fire and decay of animal carcasses came to symbolize the place of eternal punishment

TN5 Mark's account seems to indicate that Jesus had crossed the Jordan into Perea. This region was under the authority of Head Antipas, the son of Herod the Great who had imprisoned John the Baptist when he had publicly criticized Antipas for committing adultery by marrying Herodias, the former wife of Herod Philip. The question from the Pharisees about divorce was probably an attempt to get Jesus into trouble with Antipas.

TN7 The Kingdom God meant the reign of God in a human heart or the realm in which God's sovereigns was honored.