Questions

The cursed fig tree (Mk 11:11-14; 19-26)

(Questions for meditation) 

  1. Please find some examples of cursing in Gen 3 & 4. Which of God’s attributes does the cursing of the fig tree reflect?

  2. Please find a couple examples of God’s creation and His purposes in Gen 1. What kind of relationship between God and His creature does the cursing of the fig tree reflect?

  3. What warning signal does the cursing of the fig tree give us?

  4. The fig tree sometimes refers to the people of Israel in the Old Testament. Please read Rom 9:1-24; 10:12-13; 11:7-8. How is the message related to today’s passage?

  5. Please read Rom 11:11-24. How does Paul describe the Gentile believers? What does God demand from the Gentile believers?

  6. What kind of tree has Jesus once used to compare his relationship with the believers? How is this kind of relationship related to today’s passage? (John 15:1-5)

  7. How is Jesus’ reply in verse 22 related to the matter of the cursing of the fig tree? What did his answer imply?

  8. What did Jesus tell us about the secret of the effectiveness of prayer in verses 23-24?

  9. How is the teaching about prayer in verses 25-26 related to the teaching in verses 23-24?

  10. What have you learned from Jesus’ teaching of prayer in verses 23-26?