Bible Stories for Adults

The Widow's Offering

Mark 12:41-44

Next Week - The Great Commission and Ascension (Matt 28:16-20; Acts 1:1-11)
Bible Words to Remember:
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

How did Jesus prepare His disciples for spreading His good news (gospel) after He left?
Luke 10:1-2
How did Jesus teach them to trust in God's provision while doing His work?
Luke 10:3-4
How did God show His providence to build this trust in these workers?
Luke 10:5-8

With God on their side, were they guaranteed to produce a harvest everywhere they went?
Luke 10:9-16
How did this experience turn out? Did the disciples see the hand of God in their harvest?
Luke 10:17-20
Did the disciples have this success because they were well-trained and selectively chosen?
Luke 10:21-24

Besides trusting in God's provision, what other lesson did Jesus teach his harvest workers?
Luke 18:18-25
How did Jesus make this point to a prospective worker before sending out the 70?
Luke 9:57-58
How did Jesus respond to the idea of someone picking a time to start working?
Luke 9:59-60
Can we take a part-time approach?
Luke 9:61-62

Is this commitment to be a disciple a decision we make when we first become Christians?
Luke 9:23
How much do we have to give to qualify as workers in Christ's harvest field?
Luke 9:24-26
Why would anyone even consider accepting such a difficult and costly mission?
Luke 18:28-30

Where would Jesus find a good place to make an object lesson to His disciples on giving?
Mark 12:41
Thirteen "trumpets" (narrow top, wide bottom) were along the walls of the Court of the Women
Each collected offerings for special temple purposes - wood, oil, incense, etc.
Offerings were voluntary and showed devotion to God's Temple

Did only the rich give these voluntary offerings since God had blessed them with extra?
Mark 12:42
Lepton ("the thin one") - Smallest, lightest and lowest value Jewish coin of the time
Two were worth less than a kodrantes - lowest value Roman coin of the time
KJV: two mites, which make up a farthing - mite & farthing are old English coins
Value of two lepta was worth less than one of today's pennies

How did Jesus comment on the worthlessness of the gift of two lepta?
Luke 12:43
The others had obviously donated more money. How could Jesus say she gave more?
Luke 12:44

What example did Paul give to the Christians in Corinth to make this same point?
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Did Paul give this example to help the Corinthians consider making a gift to help other churches?
2 Corinthians 8:8, 10-11
What if their situations had changed and they couldn't meet their pledges?
2 Corinthians 8:12

How do we know how much God wants us to give? A tithe? More?
2 Corinthians 9:7
But God really wants us to give a tithe or more, right?
1 Samuel 16:7
To help us determine how much to give, should we figure our budget to see what is available?
Exodus 23:19a

Isn't it irresponsible to give before taking care of our own personal obligations?
Proverbs 3:9-10
How does Paul put this?
2 Corinthians 9:6
Are these just nice sayings, or do we have such a promise from God?
Luke 6:38

How does God respond to our returning from the firstfruits of what He has given us?
Matthew 25:21
Why would God give us many blessings when we give as faithful servants?
2 Corinthians 9:11
How do our gifts go beyond our gifts and the blessings we receive?
2 Corinthians 9:12-15

What greater example of a life of giving than the widow and Macedonians do we have?
2 Corinthians 8:9
Why does Paul say Jesus was rich?
Haggai 2:8
Sure, God the Father owns everything in the universe. Why does this mean Jesus was rich?
John 16:15a

What are some ways that Jesus, though He was rich, became poor?
Luke 2:7
Luke 2:22, 24
Mark 6:3
John 7:53-8:1
John 12:14
Matthew 27:59-60
Why did Jesus have to give away His rightful riches and become poor for our sake?
Hebrews 2:17

Without material wealth, how could Jesus serve as an example to us of how to give?
Acts 3:6a
What are some examples of ways Jesus gave without having riches?
Luke 9:16-17
Matthew 8:25-26
Mark 6:56
Luke 5:20
Matthew 11:28-30
John 15:9, 11

What are some things Jesus gave that are especially important to us?
Acts 1:8
Matthew 26:26-28
John 16:7, 13
Luke 11:2-4
John 10:28

When in His ministry did Jesus give the strongest object lesson of giving to His disciples?
John 13:1-2
What unheard of thing did Jesus do to teach His lesson?
John 13:3-5
What happened when a disciple tried to stop Him from this improper act?
John 13:6-11

Did He make sure they understood the object lesson?
John 13:12-17
How should we determine when, what and how much to give?
Ephesians 5:1-2