Pray

Form groups and appoint a spokesperson.

Facts:

1.	Who came to Jesus?

a.	James and John

2.	What did they do?

Interp:–send to groups

1.	What is unique or unusual about their request?

a.	It's a 'just say yes' request–blank check

Facts:

1.	What did Jesus say in answer to their request?

a.	What do you want me to do for you?

Interp:–send to groups

1.	What does this tell us about Jesus–particularly His attitude toward those who make requests? (Even mindless requests?)

a.	Doesn't say yes, or give in to something bad, doesn't say no either, but invites them to ask for what they want.

i.	He's patient, doesn't condemn, is willing to give–it's not hard to get things from God

Facts:

1.	What do they want?

a.	To sit on right and left in glory.

Interp:–send to groups

1.	What in principle are they really asking for? (Follow up–tell me more, etc.)

a.	Power/position, to be seen w/ Jesus, to do great things for Him.

2.	How much sense does this make, considering what Jesus has been telling them about his mission? (Look in context forward and back)

a.	Jesus has just been talking about his death

b.	He alludes to it again with the 'baptism' statement right after this.

c.	Right hand and left hand–are you hearing this? Where else in scripture does this appear?

3.	So in summary, what were the disciples seeing, and not seeing? Make a list in your group.

a.	Seeing themselves–seated in authority

b.	Not seeing the cross–what are they missing if not seeing the cross?

i.	Their condition, their own blindness?

ii.	Not seeing what Jesus is doing for them

(Application note. Many want to do great things for Jesus, but haven't seen what great things He's done for them.)

Facts:

1.	Who else in this chapter had sight issues?

a.	Blind man

Interp:

1.	Compare the story of James and John's request with that of Blind Bartimaeus, look for similarities and differences. Go beyond the surface.

a.	Differences in approach–give us position versus 'have mercy on me.'

b.	Same question asked

i.	How do the answers differ? (What different requests could each have made? How appropriate were each?)

ii.	The blind man knew his condition, the others couldn't see theirs.

c.	Humility of Bartimaeus versus pride and self-seeking of disciples

2.	In summary, how does Baritmaeus's vision compare with that of the disciples?

Fact:

1.	What did Blind Bartimaeus see in his first week of sightedness?–the cross

Application:

What do you want from Jesus tonight?

Some people want to be seen with Jesus, Bartimaeus was just happy to see Jesus.

Are you more interested in the appearance of being religious or in seeing Jesus?

Some want to do great things for God, Bartimaeus was willing to let God do great things for Him.

Are you more interested in ministry for Jesus, than in receiving grace from Him?

Some want a great position or title from Jesus, Bartimaeus knew the greatest position was at the foot of the cross.

Today Jesus is saying to you, what do you want me to do?

What will you ask for? Ar you after a mor comfortable life? Do you want to control others or do great things and be recognized?

Is it more important to you to do things for God or to let Him love you?

What are some ways in which people today are blind, and ask God for unimportant things? What sorts of things have you seen others our yourself asking for that are medicine and not the physician?

Pick the one thing on this list that you most identify with and write a prayer to God, turning from the unimportant to Jesus. (By the way that's repentance, turning.)

You can tell you're turning to Jesus if you start to sound like Blind Bartimaeus. When you realize your condition and see that Jesus is all you need(see vs. 50)