rs mark's gospel: unit 4 (kingdom of God)

Question 1

4. 1

a) what is the symbolism behind the parable of the sower?

Answer 1

a) seeds on the path: people who hear news, not committed, taken from then
seeds in rocks: hears news but faith isn’t rooted deep, gives up when there’s trouble/persecution
seeds in thorns: people too interested in worldly materials/pleasures to become true disciples, hear news but do nothing
seeds on good soil: people that hear news, accept it and spread news
(“some seed fell in good soil…produced corn:some had 30 grains, some 60 and some 100”)

Question 2

4.1

what can we learn about the parable of the sower?

Answer 2

• the KoG can only grow if the news is heard and spread

- encourages christians to stay true to their faith despite troubles and persecution

Question 3

4.2

what can we learn from the parable of the growing seed?

Answer 3

• “all the while the seeds are growing and sprouting. Yet he does not know how this happens”
• christians should keep faith that koG will grow bc it is God’s will that it does
• encouragement to those who believe that the KoG is not growing or those who are persecuted
• “the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come”
• harvest time = judgement day, keep confidence in God and wait for KoG

Question 4

4.3

what can we learn from the parable of the mustard seed?

Answer 4

• “man takes mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world and plants it. It grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants”
  -KoG starts out small then grows and becomes a substantial size
• “it puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade”
  KoG is for all, jews AND gentiles

Question 5

4.4

what does the story of Jesus and the children teach us?

Answer 5

• “let the children come to me, and do not stop the, as the KoG belongs to such as these”
  we must have children-like characteristics such as innocence, lack of selfishness and kindness to enter the KoG

Question 6

4.5

what can we learn from the story of the rich man?

Answer 6

• “go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven; then come and follow me”
  riches act as a barrier to entering the KoG
• “it is harder for a rich person to enter the KoG then for a camel to go through the eye of a needle”
  The eye of the needle = a small door in Jerusalem’s city wall, a camel would not have been able to fit through it if there were many items hanging off its sides. The possessions would have to be discarded for it to fit.

Question 7

4.6

what does the story of the greatest commandment teach us?

Answer 7

“you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”