Study Questions

Jesus-A Sinner's Friend

Mark 2:13-17

1.       (a) What are some of the qualities you value in a friend?

(b)When was the last time you spent some quality time with your non-church friends? Can you name 5 non-church friends you have?

2.       (a) What is the significance of the calling of a tax collector, Levi, to follow Jesus?

(b)From the Pharisees' response, what does this calling tell you about the view of the society on sinners or certain class of people 

    in    the 1 st century? Are there similarities in how we consider those who are different, “sinners” or undesirables in our    

    community?

3.       (a) What effect does Jesus have on those whom He calls?

(b) Can you give some examples of someone you know or heard who was a known “sinner” and responded to the call of Jesus?   

     What was your initial reaction? How did following Jesus change that person?

4.      How has Jesus changed you since you began to follow Him? What did he see in you that no one else saw?

5.      What did Jesus answer when asked why he associates with sinners? What does it mean to us today?

6.      Can you think of some principles that we are to remember when we mingle with our non-church friends?

7.     What are some common reasons that we avoid non Christians in our lives? Can you single out one or two non-church friends and share    

         some practical steps you can take to renew that friendship?