Reference

Mark 9:33-37 (see Mark's Gospel in EasyEnglish)

Introduction

Jesus and his disciples were walking to Capernaum. Each disciple thought that he was more important than the other disciples. And they were arguing with each other about that. Jesus knew why they were arguing. And he wanted to teach them how to be a leader.

It was a very important lesson. So Jesus sat down. At that time a teacher sat down to teach his disciples. The disciples thought that they knew how to be the leader. But Jesus had a new way. He wanted to teach his men something that was very important. They must be like servants. He taught them to help other people. Then they would be helping Jesus. That would mean that they were helping God too.

Jesus asked his disciples to look at a child. At that time people thought that children were not important. So Jesus' friends must accept people who are not important. When they do that, they accept Jesus too. And when they accept Jesus they accept God.

Questions to ask

V33 Why were the disciples arguing?

V34 Why were the disciples silent?

V35 Why did Jesus sit down?

V35 What did Jesus tell the disciples to do?

V35 Do you think that Jesus' words surprised the disciples? Why was that?

V36 Jesus used a child to explain what he meant. Why did he do that?

V37 What was the important thing that Jesus taught here?

Something to do

Think about how you could be like a servant to someone. Perhaps you can help someone who is in your Christian group.

Perhaps God has called you to be a leader. So you must think about how you can be like a servant.

Talk about the people who have helped you. Say what difference they made in your life. Why did they help you? Did they want to be important people?

Words to explain

Disciple ~ someone who follows a leader and who wants to learn from him. A person who agrees with Jesus. So he does what Jesus teaches.