Mark 11:20-26

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.

23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea, ’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Forgiveness and Prayer

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Context

• Why did Jesus curse the tree & cleanse the temple? (Mark 11:13-19, Luke 19:41-44, John 15:6)

Reflection

1. What does it mean to ‘have faith in God?’ (Proverbs 3:5, 6, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, 5:1, 1 John 5:4, 14)
2. How can faith ‘move mountains?’ (Matthew 7:8, Luke 11:9, 10, Ephesians 6:18, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:6-8)
3. Why is forgiveness so important & connected to prayer? (Exodus 34:7, Micah 7:18, Matthew 6:12-15, Luke 23:34, Colossians 1:14)

Testimony

1. What miracle of forgiveness has He worked in you? (Psalm 103:3, Proverbs 17:9, Isaiah 43:25, Ephesians 4:32)
2. How are you believing God for the impossible? (Jeremiah 33:3, Luke 1:49, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 3:20, James 5:13-15)