Class Lesson for August 31, 2025

 The Whole Story 

Mark 5

In Mark 5, we are brought face-to-face with one of the most haunting and powerful stories in all the Gospels — the healing of a man possessed by a legion of demons. It is a scene that confronts us with the extremes of human brokenness and the unmatched authority of Jesus Christ. This is not just a story about deliverance; it is a declaration of the gospel’s power to reach the most hopeless, the most defiled, and the most forgotten. If the man in this story is not beyond the reach of Jesus, then no one is.

Jesus and His disciples have just crossed the stormy Sea of Galilee. As they arrive in the region of the Gerasene’s — a Gentile, unclean land — they are immediately met by a man who embodies everything the world fears and rejects. He is naked, violent, uncontrollable, and living among the tombs. He has been cast out of society, bound in chains that he continually breaks, consumed by a darkness that no one can tame. Mark tells us he cried out day and night, cutting himself with stones. He is physically alive, but spiritually and emotionally buried in death.

And then Jesus steps onshore.

Before the man can even cry for help, the demons within him recognize Jesus’ authority. “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” they shriek. Even the forces of hell cannot deny who Jesus is. And with a word, the Legion is cast out and driven into a herd of pigs, that rush down the steep bank and drown in the sea. In an instant, the chaos is silent. The man is free.

When the people come to see what has happened, they find him clothed, sitting, and in his right mind. The same man who had terrified them is now at peace, restored by the grace and power of Jesus. But tragically, instead of rejoicing, the people are afraid — and they ask Jesus to leave.

The man, however, begs to go with Jesus. But Jesus sends him back to his home with a mission: “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” And that’s exactly what he does. He becomes the first missionary to the Gentiles — not with theological training, but with a testimony.

This story reminds us that Jesus doesn’t avoid our darkness — He walks straight into it. He crosses seas and storms to rescue even one soul. No one is too lost, too unclean, too far gone. Jesus is here, even in the tombs, and where He comes, demons flee, the broken are restored, and the outcast becomes the witness.

 

Mark 5:1-20

Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon

5 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. 14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Mark 5:1-20

Discussion Questions

(Mark 5:3–5): What do these verses reveal about the destructive and isolating nature of sin and evil? How do we see similar forms of bondage in our world today?

(Mark 5:6–8): Why do you think the demons immediately recognized and submitted to Jesus’ authority? What does this teach us about His power over spiritual forces?

(Mark 5:14–16): Why were the townspeople afraid when they saw the man healed and the pigs destroyed? What does their reaction teach us about the challenge of truly welcoming Jesus into our lives?

(Mark 5:15): How does the man’s transformation — “clothed and in his right mind” — illustrate what Jesus does in the life of a believer? Where have you seen this kind of change in your own life or in others?

(Mark 5:19–20): Why did Jesus send the man back to his home instead of letting him travel with Him? How does this shape our understanding of sharing our testimony where God has placed us?

  

Closing Thoughts:

When Jesus steps into our lives, He brings freedom where there was bondage, peace where there was chaos, and purpose where there was shame. Like the man who was once bound in chains, our testimony is not about what we have done, but about what Christ has done for us. The most powerful witness you have is your story of God’s mercy and grace. Jesus doesn’t just call us to follow Him privately; He sends us to proclaim publicly what He has done. This week, who needs to hear your story of how Jesus has changed your life?

END

Teacher's Notes:

In Mark 5, we are brought face-to-face with one of the most haunting and powerful stories in all the Gospels, the healing of a man possessed by a legion of demons.

Click Play to Watch

Why are people uncomfortable talking about demons and spiritual warfare today?

Have you ever had an encounter with evil?

Mark 5:1-5

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains, he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

1. Sin isolates and separates - Just as the man was cut off from family and community, sin cuts us off from God and others. Satan always drives people away from love and fellowship into loneliness.
2. Sin enslaves and controls - The man had no power over his own actions. He was driven by the demons. Sin makes us slaves (John 8:34: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin”).
3. Sin destroys dignity and identity - He lived naked, in shame and humiliation (Luke 8:27). Satan wants to strip people of the image of God and reduce them to despair.
4. Sin torments and robs peace - Day and night, the man screamed in agony. Sin promises pleasure, but it delivers torment and unrest.
5. Sin leads to death - He lived among the tombs, a symbol of where sin ultimately leads. Satan’s goal is always destruction: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

Mark 5:6-13

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before Him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure You by God, do not torment me.” For He was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged Him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged Him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So, He gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. 

Why did the demons fear Jesus?

1. They Recognized His Identity - They cried out, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” (Mark 5:7). Demons know who Jesus is, even when people don’t. (James 2:19: “Even the demons believe, and shudder!”)
2. They Knew His Authority - They understood He had the power to command them and determine their fate. Demons are powerful, but Jesus is all-powerful.
3. They Knew Their Destiny - They begged Jesus not to torment them “before the appointed time” (Matthew 8:29). They know judgment is coming, and Jesus is the Judge.

What does their submission to Him tell us?

1. Jesus Has Ultimate Authority - Philippians 2:10: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Even evil spirits are subject to His word.
2. They Cannot Act Without Permission - Notice they begged Jesus to let them enter the pigs (Mark 5:12). Satan and demons operate under limits, God is sovereign.
3. Submission is Not the Same as Obedience from the Heart - Their submission was forced, not willing. They bowed to His authority, but they didn’t worship Him as Lord.

 

Mark 5:14-17

The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.  

 

Why People Resist Jesus’ Power (Then & Now)

1. Fear of Change - Jesus disturbed the “status quo.” People would rather cling to what’s familiar, even if it’s broken, than risk transformation. Today: Some resist because they know Jesus will call them to leave old habits or relationships.
2. Economic Concerns - The pigs represented livelihood and wealth. They valued profit over people. Today: Following Jesus may cost us money, time, comfort, or status, many don’t want that price.
3. Loss of Control - Jesus displayed a power they couldn’t explain or manage. His presence was unsettling, it meant He was in charge. Today: People want a Savior who fits their plans, not a Lord who takes over.
4. Spiritual Blindness - They saw the miracle but missed the Messiah. Sin blinds us to what’s truly good. Today: Many acknowledge Jesus was good, but not that He is God.

 

Mark 5:18-20

As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged Him that he might be with Him. And He did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.  

 

1. Start Where You Are - Jesus told him to begin at home, with family, friends, neighbors. Our mission field starts in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities.
2. Tell Your Story - The man didn’t preach a sermon or quote Scripture; he simply told what Jesus did for him. Sharing your testimony (before Christ → how you met Him → after Christ) is powerful and relatable.
3. Show the Change - The man’s life was visibly different, clothed, calm, in his right mind. Our changed attitudes, peace in trials, and love for others speak louder than words.
4. Be Compassionate and Approachable - The man had once been feared and avoided, but now he could connect with people. We witness best when we listen, care, and show genuine love.
5. Trust God with the Results - The man’s testimony spread through the Decapolis. By the time Jesus returned later in Mark 7:31–37, crowds welcomed Him. Our job is to plant seeds; God makes them grow.

Being a faithful witness isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about pointing people to Jesus with your life and your words.

 

Like the man in Mark 5, we tell others:

“This is what the Lord has done for me.”

1. To Show His Power Extends Everywhere - Up until this point, most of His miracles happened in Jewish regions. By crossing the sea, He shows His authority reaches beyond Israel, even into the realm of the “unclean.” Evil spirits, death, uncleanness, none of it stops Him.
2. To Rescue One Person - Unlike big crowds in Galilee, here He seems to come for one man. This shows His heart for the lost and forgotten. The demon-possessed man was isolated, hopeless, and avoided by everyone, but not by Jesus. Sometimes Jesus will “cross a storm” just to reach one soul.
3. To Plant a Witness in Gentile Territory - Notice that after Jesus heals the man, He doesn’t let him join the disciples. Instead, He says: “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you” (Mark 5:19). This man becomes the first missionary to the Decapolis (a league of 10 Gentile cities). When Jesus returns later (Mark 7:31–37), crowds are already prepared, likely because of this man’s testimony.
4. To Confront Evil Directly - Right after calming the storm (a picture of His authority over nature), Jesus faces a legion of demons (His authority over spiritual forces). The disciples are learning: Nothing is too strong for Jesus, not storms, not demons, not even death itself.

Class Lesson for August 24, 2025

 The Whole Story 

Mark 4

There are moments in Jesus’ teaching when the weight of His words presses past the surface and calls for something deeper than attention — it demands examination. Mark 4 begins with one of those moments. A great crowd gathers by the sea, hungry for His miracles, intrigued by His authority. And Jesus, sitting in a boat just off the shore, begins to teach in parables. His first story, the Parable of the Sower, is not merely an illustration — it is a spiritual mirror. This is a parable about hearing. Not with ears, but with hearts. Not just once, but continually. It is a story that asks each of us: What kind of soil am I?

“A sower went out to sow…” The image is familiar, almost mundane. A farmer scattering seed — generously, broadly, almost recklessly. But Jesus is not giving agricultural advice. The seed is the Word of God. The sower is Christ Himself, or anyone who spreads His truth. The focus is not on the seed but on the soil. The condition of the heart.

Some seed falls along the path — hard, trampled, unreceptive. The Word is spoken, but Satan snatches it away before it can take root. Some falls on rocky ground — shallow, impulsive, emotional. It springs up quickly but withers when hardship comes. Some lands among thorns — crowded hearts tangled in worry, wealth, and worldly desires. The seed grows, but it is choked before it can bear fruit. But some seed falls on good soil. It takes root. It endures. It bears fruit—thirty, sixty, even a hundredfold.

This is not a parable about farming — it is a parable about faith. It warns us not to assume that hearing the Word equals obeying it. That emotion equals transformation. That proximity to Jesus equals intimacy with Him. The soil of the heart must be broken, tilled, made ready. The good soil isn’t naturally good — it’s soil that’s been worked, softened by grace, humbled by repentance, and opened to receive the Word of life.

Jesus ends the parable with a challenge: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” This is more than a call to listen — it is a call to listen with your life. To hear the Word and let it go deep. To endure when trials come. To repent when thorns creep in. And to trust that God’s Word, when truly received, will always bear fruit.

Jesus is here, sowing the Word even now — scattering the seed of truth into hearts. The question is not whether the seed is powerful. The question is: Will you receive it?

Mark 4:1-9

The Parable of the Sower

4 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. 2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: 3 “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. 5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. 6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. 8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” 9 And he said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Mark 4:1-9

Discussion Questions:

In your own words, what is the main point of the parable of the sower?

Which of the soils do you think is most common in our culture today? Why?

Which soil do you most identify with in your current season of life?

How does this parable challenge the way we share the gospel?

What practical steps can we take to cultivate “good soil” in our hearts?

Closing Thoughts:

The Parable of the Sower reminds us that spiritual growth is not accidental — it’s the result of a heart that is soft toward God’s Word, free from competing idols, and willing to endure for the sake of Christ. The seed of the gospel has the power to transform, but it must be received with humility and nurtured through obedience, prayer, and community. If we’re honest, each of us has areas where the soil has grown hard, shallow, or overgrown with thorns. God is calling us to break up that ground, pull those weeds, and let His Word take root so our lives bear fruit that lasts. What kind of soil will your heart be this week?

END

Teacher Notes:

Mark 4 begins with a great crowd gathered by the sea, hungry for Jesus’ miracles, intrigued by His authority.

Jesus is sitting in a boat just off the shore, and He begins to teach in parables. His first story, the Parable of the Sower, is not just an illustration, it’s a spiritual mirror for those that are listening.

Mark 4:1-9

Again, He began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and in His teaching, He said to them: “Listen! Behold, a Sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.” And He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Click Play to Watch

Where do you see President Trump in his 

understanding of salvation.

What are some ways you see “the seed” snatched away before it takes root in people’s lives today?

Why do you think some people respond with joy to the gospel but fall away when life gets hard?

What “thorns” (cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, desires for other things) are most likely to choke out God’s Word in our life?

What does it look like in practical terms to “bear fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold”?

Many Bible teachers point out that the parable of the Sower isn’t just about four different types of people once and for all, but also about the different conditions our hearts can be in at different points in our faith journey.

So, the parable is both diagnostic in that it shows us what kind of heart receives God’s Word, and it reminds us that the soil can change.

 

“Break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord.” 

Hosea 10:12

Class Lesson for August 17, 2025

 The Whole Story 

Matthew 7

Matthew 5-7; Sermon on the Mount Part 2

 

As Jesus draws His Sermon on the Mount to a close, He confronts His listeners with a sobering and urgent call. The crowd has heard the Beatitudes. They have been challenged by His radical reinterpretation of righteousness. They have been invited into a life marked by humility, purity, and trust in God. But now, Jesus presses in with a personal question that echoes through the centuries: Will you merely hear these words, or will you obey them?

The final section of Matthew 7 is not a gentle conclusion — it is a piercing examination of the heart. Jesus makes it clear that not everyone who claims to belong to Him does. The test of true discipleship is not found in words spoken or works performed, but in a life built upon obedience to His Word. Many will say, “Lord, Lord,” and yet be unknown by Him. The kingdom of heaven is not entered by association, profession, or performance — but by authentic faith that results in a surrendered life.

Jesus draws a stark contrast between two gates, two roads, two trees, and two builders. The wide gate is easy, the broad road is popular, but it leads to destruction. The narrow gate is difficult, and few find it — but it leads to life. This is the way of the kingdom: not flashy, not self-exalting, not built on sand, but grounded in the solid rock of Christ and His Word.

The imagery of the house built on the rock reminds us that storms will come. Jesus will not endure faith that merely admires. Faith that rests in His finished work and lives in obedience to His teaching is the kind that stands. The storms are not what destroys - it is the foundation that determines the outcome.

Authentic faith listens. Authentic faith trusts. Authentic faith follows. And that kind of faith is not produced by human willpower — it is the fruit of a new heart, given by grace.

This is the King’s invitation to build our lives on what lasts. To resist the temptation to settle for performance or appearances. To walk the narrow way, even when it’s costly. And to trust that in Him, the way of obedience is also the way of life.

Jesus is here, even in the warnings — calling us not just to admire His words, but to live them. Not just to profess faith, but to possess it. Not just to hear the truth, but to build our lives upon it.

Matthew 7:21-29

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

The Authority of Jesus

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Matthew 7:21-29

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom”?                                                                                            
2. What are some ways we can confuse religious activity with authentic faith?                                                                                                                               
3. In the parable of the wise and foolish builders, what do the storms represent in our lives?                                                                                                                        
4. What does it practically look like to build your life on Jesus’ words?                                                                                                                                                       
5. How do we guard against being merely hearers of the Word and not doers?

Closing Thoughts

Jesus makes it clear that true discipleship is not measured by what we say or even what we accomplish, but by whether we obey His Word. The wise builder doesn’t just admire the teachings of Jesus — he puts them into practice, even when it’s hard, even when it costs something. Storms will come in every life — trials, suffering, loss, and ultimately judgment — and only those whose lives are built on obedience to Christ will stand.

This passage challenges us to examine the foundation of our faith: Are we just listening to Jesus, or are we following Him? Where in your life is God calling you to move from hearing to obeying?

END

Teacher's Notes:

Click Play to Watch

Now watch Jesus' warning...

Click Play to Watch

1. It Feels Easier to Measure: Checking boxes (church attendance, serving, giving, volunteering) feels tangible. True heart surrender to Christ is harder to measure — so activity can feel like proof, even if it’s not.
2. It Looks Good to Others: People often equate visible devotion with genuine faith. Just like the Pharisees, outward appearance can mask an empty heart (Matthew 23:27).
3. It Mimics Other Relationships: In most areas of life, effort = acceptance. People project this onto God: “If I do enough, surely He’ll accept me.” But salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), not works.
4. It Avoids the Harder Surrender: Religious activity can become a substitute for true repentance. It allows a person to stay in control — doing for God rather than yielding to God.
5. They’ve Been Misinformed: Some are taught (formally or culturally) that being “good” or “religious” is the same as being “saved.” Without clear teaching on relationship with Christ, people assume activity equals security.

1. We Believe in Jesus Christ: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:29) Doing the Father’s will begins with trusting in His Son for salvation.
2. We Obey His Word: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) Obedience doesn’t earn salvation, but it proves that our faith is alive (James 2:17).
3. We Bear Spiritual Fruit: “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20) Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) naturally flow from a life surrendered to Christ.
4. We Pursue Holiness and Repentance: The Father’s will is that we “be holy” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This doesn’t mean perfection, but a continual turning from sin and turning toward God.
5. We Love Others Sacrificially: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Doing the Father’s will always involves loving people the way He does.

1. A Personal Relationship: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) To know Jesus is to enter a living relationship with Him, not just facts in our head, but trust in our heart.
2. Trust and Faith: Knowing Jesus means relying on Him as Savior, not on our own good works. “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
3. Obedience and Love: True knowledge of Christ shows up in how we live. “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.” (1 John 2:3)
4. Ongoing Fellowship: Knowing Jesus is not a one-time introduction but a daily walk. Through prayer, worship, and His Word, we grow deeper in intimacy with Him.