Week Three Day Four Breaking the Silence

Question 16.  Mark 9:33-34

33.  Jesus and the disciples) came to Compenaum.  And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?

34.  But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Why might Christ have waited to talk to the disciples rather than interrupting them while they were arguing?  Why the delay in confronting them?



He may have  been giving them a chance for them to realize that they were foolish in their argument.  After all, we-as humans-have a natural instinct to avoid telling the truth about ourselves.

Question 17.  Genesis 3:8-9

8.  And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

9.  But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"

Why do you think God asked Adam, "Where are you?" rather than simply tell him that He had seen everything He had done?

He was giving Adam a chance to confess his sin.  Adam hid from God.  He kept silent about it, trying to throw God off the trail.

Question 18.  What does this teach us about how God deals with us when we sin?

He gives us the chance to come clean and confess.

"You can be courageous in admitting your sin precisely because God is richly abundant in his mercy"-Paul David Tripp.

God gives us every opportunity to repent.  He wants us to stop being silent and confess our sins.  He may convict your heart, he may have a fellow Christian approach you.  He may cause you to suffer the consequences of your sin.  He may lead you to a Bible Study group.He will do anything so you can have a close relationship with him.

Question 19.  Luke 12:2

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

Hebrews 4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we ust give account.

In light of everything you have ever done, said, or thought, how do the verses make you feel?  Do they reassure you, or do they make you uncomfortable?

Uncomfortable and reassured at the same time.  Uncomfortable because God knows everything I have done.  Reassured because God is merciful.  Being honest about my sins opens the door for me to experience God's amazing grace.