I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep the blog a bit more active. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 8. The lesson is on Mark 12:38-44. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!
All in?
Selling Out or Sold Out?
Mark 12:38-44
Introduction
Questions
What comes to mind when you think of someone who is a “sell out”? Is it negative or positive?
What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “sold out”? What does it mean that someone is “sold out” to a particular cause?
The term “All in”
a. Poker term (don’t panic!): It means putting everything you have into the pot
b. This is a risky move: You’ll either win it all or lose it all!
My testimony
Mark 12:38-44
Two things in this passage: 1. The Warnings and 2. The Widow
1. The Warnings (Don’t sell out)
Mark 12:38-40
The people Jesus described had become sell outs because what they offered was only for selfish reasons
The warnings
a. Beware the desire for prominence (don’t sell out for a reputation)
b. Beware the desire for deference (don’t sell out for perks)
This is false religion!
a. False religion asks, “What’s in it for me?”
Are you “all in” with God?
Or are you hedging your bets, holding out for a “better offer”?
How much is your soul worth?
What risks will you take?
2. The Widow (Be Sold Out)
Mark 12:41-44
The Problem with Money
a. More money often leads to more worry
b. More money often leads to a wrong focus
The People and their Money
It’s not how much you give, it’s how much it cost you
The Poor Widow
a. She didn’t focus on percentages
b. She didn’t compare her gift to others
c. She gave her all—she was sold out to God’s cause
Are you “all in” with God?
What are you willing to risk?
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.“ Jim Elliot
3. Application
Hebrews 9:24-28
When God wanted to effect salvation for humanity, he didn’t offer his leftovers or a percentage of his wealth.
a. He offered everything
b. He offered his most precious possession
c. He gave his only Son--Jesus gave his all!
Jesus was sold out to God’s plan
He was “all in” for salvation/He was “all in” for us
What can we possibly offer in response to that?
Can we give anything less than our best?
Can we be anything less than “all in” for God’s plan?
This week
a. Make a list of your priorities and responsibilities
b. Rate them by how important they are in your life. What role does God play in each area?
c. Where do you need to risk to reach others in an effort to be sold out to God’s plan?
d. Commit a time to pray for each of these items this week, and ask God what being “all in” for him looks like there
Are you “all in” for God?
4. Discussion Questions
Look at the warnings in Mark 12:38-40. Which one(s) do you struggle with the most? Where have you been selling out your integrity instead of being sold out to God?
What do you give to God? Money? Time? Work? Study? Relationships? Is it a mere percentage, or is it “all in” for his use?
What are your “widow’s mites”? What are the most precious things to you? Are you willing to give them to God for others?
Compare Hebrews 9:24-28 to Mark 12:38-44. What do these verses have in common? How do they complement each other? What role does “judgment” and “offering” play in each?
Who in your world could benefit from the offering Christ made in Hebrews 9? How can you (like the widow) give into their lives to help them see the importance of that gift?
Are you willing to be “all in” for God? If so, what changes will you have to make?
Thanks for reading!
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