Mark 3:7-35
“Unreasonable Obedience”
1. The Crowd Wants Help — Jesus Wants Obedience
📖 Read: Mark 3:7–12
Crowds flood in because of what Jesus can do for them. They are desperate, amazed, and curious—but not necessarily surrendered. Many want relief from Jesus without a life reordered by Jesus.
Key Insight:
💛 Unreasonable obedience begins where consumer Christianity ends.
Discussion Questions:
Where are we tempted to seek Jesus for benefits more than obedience?
What would it look like for our faith to move from admiration to surrender?
2. You Can’t Obey a Savior You’re Not With
📖 Read: Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12
Before the disciples are sent to do anything, they are called simply to be with Him. Jesus chooses them, brings them close, and forms them in His presence. Mission flows from relationship.
Key Insight:
✨ Unreasonable obedience grows out of deep, daily life with Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
Are we trying to do things for Jesus without consistently being with Jesus?
What rhythms help us stay close enough to Christ to hear and follow His voice?
3. Obedience to God Will Look Unreasonable to Some
📖 Read: Mark 3:20–21; Acts 26:24
Jesus’ own family thinks He’s out of His mind. Faithfulness to God can look extreme, excessive, or even irresponsible to those who don’t understand spiritual reality.
Key Insight:
💥 What looks unreasonable to the world may be exactly right before God.
Discussion Questions:
Have we ever toned down obedience to avoid being seen as “too serious” or “fanatical”?
Where might God be calling us to step into obedience that others won’t understand?
4. Hardened Hearts Explain Away Radical Obedience
📖 Read: Mark 3:22–30; John 16:8
Religious leaders see the undeniable work of God and label it demonic. Instead of submitting, they reinterpret reality to protect their position. Resistance often sounds religious.
Key Insight:
🛑 We get in Jesus’ way when we justify disobedience instead of yielding to conviction.
Discussion Questions:
Do we ever downplay or dismiss what God is doing because it disrupts our comfort or control?
How do we keep our hearts soft when obedience feels costly?
5. Jesus Redefines Family Around Obedience 🏠
📖 Read: Mark 3:31–35; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7
Jesus says His true family is made up of those who do the will of God. In the Kingdom, belonging is not based on background, familiarity, or proximity—but obedience.
Key Insight:
🌟 Unreasonable obedience is the mark of those who truly belong to Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
What is one area where Jesus may be inviting us into deeper, more costly Mon-Sat obedience right now?
🙏 Prayer Prompts
Surrender: “Lord, move me beyond admiration into full obedience.”
Closeness: “Jesus, draw me into daily life with You so I can follow You faithfully.”
Courage: “Give me boldness to obey, even when it looks unreasonable to others.”
Softness: “Holy Spirit, keep my heart tender when obedience feels costly.”
Alignment: “Jesus, show me where I resist You—and teach me joyful, immediate obedience.”