The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on May 12, “The Greatest Commandment” (Mark12:28–34). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. The Scribe’s Question (Mark 12:28)
2. Jesus’ Answer (Mark 12:29–31)
3. The Scribes’ Response (Mark 12:32–33)
4. Jesus’ Response (Mark 12:34a–b)
5. The Conclusion (Mark 12:34c)

Main Point: Jesus is God and he deserves all the worship and honor and love that belongs to God.

Discussion Questions

• What is the scribe asking Jesus to do with all of the commands of the Law?
• We made four observations concerning Jesus’ answer in verses 29–31. How many do you remember? Why are those observations significant? Is there one that stood out to you more than the others?
• Why is the scribes’ response important in light of the context of Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders over the temple?
• How does Jesus turn the tables on the Sadducees so that they go from being the judges to being the judged?
• Jesus told the that scribe he is not far from the kingdom. Why is he closer than the others? What is he still missing?
• Why does Mark close this story the way he does? What point is he trying to make in the overall context?

Application Questions

• How does this text apply to our attempts to love today—especially as we think about Mother’s Day?
• Why is it important to know the command to love God with our whole heart and to know the promise that God loves us with his whole heart? How does the gospel empower our obedience to the Great Commandment
• What would it look like to take the next steps of obedience in loving God with everything we have and loving others as ourselves? What do you need to give to God? Where do you need to step up love for others?

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to love God with all of our hearts and to believe that God loves us with all of his heart—because of that love, we can better love those around us.