Can and Can’t Control
Through the lens of Biblical Narratives
1. Read Mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25
2. Who are the main persons in verses Mark 4:35-41?
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3. What is happening? (verse Mark 4:36-37 and Luke 8:23)
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4. What was Jesus doing? (verse Mark 4:38)
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5. Look at the disciples’ situation (verse Mark 4:37 & Luke 8:23) and answer:
What could they not control?
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What could they control?
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6. How did the disciples respond to their circumstance?
What did they accuse Jesus of?
(verse Mark 4:38 and Luke 8:24)
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7. What could/did Jesus control? (verse Mark 4:39,41 & Luke 8:24)
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8. What did Jesus ask the disciples? (Mark 4:40 & Luke 8:25)
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9. According to Jesus, what was the disciples’ real problem?
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10. Reflect on an uncomfortable or difficult circumstance you had recently.
How did you respond?
What did your response say about your faith in the One who controls all things?
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1. Read Matthew 16:21-23
2. Who are the main persons in Matthew 16:21?
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3. What is happening? (Matthew 16:21)
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4. How does Peter respond to what Jesus says? (Matthew 16:22)
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5. Choose the appropriate answer:
In Matthew 16:22, Peter is attempting to encourage OR control Jesus?
6. What does Jesus say to Peter in response? (Matthew 16:23)
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7. According to Jesus, what is the real motive behind Peter’s attempt to control Jesus?
(Matthew 16:23)
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8. Reflecting on a recent situation when you were trying to control the “uncontrollable” what
was your real motive? Yourself or God’s glory? Explain?
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1. Read Luke 10:38-42
2. Who are the persons in Luke 10:38-39?
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3. What was Mary doing? (Luke 10:39)
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4. What was Martha doing? (Luke 10:40)
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5. What did Martha accuse Jesus of? (Luke 10:40)
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6. What did Martha tell Jesus to do? (Luke 10:40)
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7. What does Jesus say Martha’s problem is? (Luke 10:41)
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8. How does Martha attempt to solve her problem? (Luke 10:40)
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9. According to Jesus what was the necessary thing to do? (Luke 10:42)
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10. Write about a time you found yourself in a circumstance that you couldn’t control and
tried to control others around you rather than go before the LORD in either prayer or
study?
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