Gospel of Mark Part 17: Three Responses to Jesus [Small Group Discussion]

Rev. Bruce A. Shields
Apr 26, 2025
3 min read

Small Group Discussions based on Sermons from the House of Faith Church by Rev. Bruce A. Shields

Title: The Committed, the Curious, and the Condemned

Scripture Focus: Mark 3:7–12 – “And Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples; and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon, a great number of people heard of all that He was doing and came to Him. And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him; for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him. And whenever the unclean spirits were seeing Him, they would fall down before Him and cry out, saying, ‘You are the Son of God!’ And He earnestly warned them not to reveal who He was.”

OPENING QUESTION

If someone looked at your life today, which category would they place you in—committed, curious, or condemned? Why?

BACKGROUND

After the Pharisees and Herodians conspired to destroy Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, the tension in Galilee continued to rise. Crowds swelled, driven by news of miracles and deliverance from demons. In this short but powerful scene, Mark identifies three distinct groups in how they respond to Jesus:

The Committed – His disciples, who obey His call and serve Him.
The Curious – The multitudes, drawn by what Jesus could do for them.
The Condemned – Unclean spirits, who recognized His identity but remained opposed to His will.

These same responses are still seen in our world today—and even within our churches.

KEY POINTS

1. The Committed

Examples: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Matthew.
Answered Jesus’ call (Mark 1:16–20; Mark 2:14).
Served at His command—whether preparing a boat or preaching the gospel (Mark 3:9; Mark 3:13–14).
Today: Those who obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), grow in Christ-like character (2 Peter 1:5–11), and serve with their gifts (1 Peter 4:10–11).

2. The Curious

Followed Jesus for personal benefit—healing, miracles, or provision (John 6:24–27; Luke 14:25–27).
Examples in Scripture: Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–24), Demas (2 Timothy 4:10), the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:13–16).
Today: “Church hoppers,” those attending out of tradition, family expectation, or to soothe their conscience—yet never committing to Christ (Mark 16:15–16).
The danger: prolonged curiosity without commitment eventually ends—one will either follow Christ or walk away.

3. The Condemned

In the text: unclean spirits who recognized Jesus as the Son of God but had no repentance (Matthew 8:29).
Today: Those who persist in willful sin, rejecting the gospel (Hebrews 10:26–31).
They may mock holiness (1 Peter 4:3–5) but will one day bow before Christ (Philippians 2:9–11).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Why do you think so many people were drawn to Jesus during this time in Galilee?
In what ways can believers today drift from being “committed” to becoming “curious”?
How do you discern between healthy spiritual seeking and the kind of curiosity that never leads to commitment?
Why is merely recognizing Jesus’ identity (like the demons did) not enough for salvation?
What are some practical ways you can strengthen your commitment to Jesus this week?

APPLICATION

Evaluate Your Response: Be honest before God about where you truly stand.
Move Beyond Curiosity: If you’ve been attending or exploring without committing, respond to Jesus’ call to follow Him fully.
Live Out Your Commitment: Find specific, tangible ways to serve Christ and His church.
Pray for the Curious and Condemned: Ask God to soften hearts and open eyes to the truth.