Free group study handout
Mark 8: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Mark 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
A large crowd gathered around Jesus, and he had compassion on them because they had nothing to eat after three days (vv. 1-2). He fed the crowd with seven loaves and a few small fish, and they were filled, with seven baskets of leftovers collected (vv.
Key verse
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”
Mark 8:29 (WEB)
Outline
- Mark 8:1–9 Feeding the Four Thousand
- Mark 8:10–13 Confrontation with the Pharisees
- Mark 8:14–21 Warning to the Disciples
- Mark 8:22–26 Healing the Blind Man
- Mark 8:27–30 Peter's Confession
- Mark 8:31–33 Foretelling His Death
- Mark 8:34–38 Call to Discipleship
Discussion questions
- In v6, what does Jesus do before breaking the seven loaves?
- What does the crowd do in vv. 8-9 after eating?
- Peter's response in v29: what does calling Jesus 'the Christ' imply about his understanding?
- Jesus' rebuke of Peter in v33: what does it indicate about the conflict between divine and human perspectives?
- When have you made assumptions based on a lack of resources, as the disciples did in v4?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Mark 8: Matthew 16, Acts 28, Luke 9.
Before next time: read Mark 9.