BRBC Bible Notes
Week by week, we post notes based on the theme of the Sunday service, so that people can follow them in their own personal devotions, in prayer triplets, or in the church life groups.
Parables Bible Studies
Bible Study # 6 : "The Rejected Invitation"
– Responding to the Owner of the Vineyard
Main Passage:
Mark 12:1–11 (The Parable of the Tenants)
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Purpose of the Study
This Bible study is designed to:
· Encourage believers to honour and receive God’s Word and messengers.
· Strengthen the church’s understanding of God’s patience and justice.
· Challenge the church to examine its response to God’s authority and His Son.
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Opening Prayer
“Lord, help us to hear this parable not as a story about others, but as a call to examine our hearts. Give us the grace to honour You with our lives, to welcome Your Word, and to build our lives upon the rejected Cornerstone—Jesus Christ. Amen.”
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1. Read the Passage: Mark 12:1–11
Have someone read the passage aloud. Encourage the group to listen for who each character represents and the overall tone of the parable.
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2. Context and Summary
Jesus tells this parable during His final week in Jerusalem. It’s a direct challenge to the religious leaders, spoken in the Temple. A man plants a vineyard (symbolising Israel), leases it to tenants (Israel’s leaders), and sends servants (the prophets) to collect fruit. The tenants beat, abuse, and kill them—and finally kill the beloved son (Jesus). The owner will return and bring justice.
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3. Key Themes and Reflections
A. God Is the Patient and Righteous Owner
· God is pictured as a generous and patient landowner. He gave Israel every opportunity to bear fruit and listen to His voice.
· His repeated sending of servants shows His grace—but also His right to expect fruit.
· Reflection Question: How does our church respond to God’s Word and His rightful authority?
· Quote: “God’s patience is not His permission.” — Unknown
· Related Scripture:
o Isaiah 5:1–7 – The vineyard of the Lord described and judged.
o Romans 2:4 – “Do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness… not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
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B. The Rejection of the Son
· Jesus is predicting His own death—and naming Himself as the beloved Son sent by the Father.
· The builders (religious leaders) rejected the stone, but God made it the cornerstone.
· Reflection Question: In what ways do we still reject Jesus as Lord—by ignoring His Word, marginalizing His commands, or resisting His Spirit?
· Quote: “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” — John 1:11
· Related Scripture:
o Psalm 118:22–23 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…”
o Acts 4:11–12 – “Salvation is found in no one else…”
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C. Fruitfulness and Accountability
· God is looking for a fruitful people, not just religious activity.
· The consequence of rejecting the Son is the removal of the vineyard from unfaithful hands.
· Reflection Question: Are we living as stewards of God’s vineyard—or owners?
· Quote: “Jesus will either be the foundation of your life, or the rock you stumble over.” — Tim Keller
· Related Scripture:
o Matthew 21:43 – “The kingdom will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
o John 15:8 – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit…”
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4. A Word to the Church: Will We Receive the Son?
The parable isn’t just historical—it’s personal and communal. Jesus is asking:
· Will we receive the Son?
· Will we honour the Owner with the vineyard of our lives?
· Will we produce fruit, or resist His claim?
Challenge:
· Are we building our lives and ministries on Christ the Cornerstone—or something else?
· How do we respond when God confronts us through His Word or messengers?
Group Discussion:
· What does faithfulness in the vineyard look like today?
· How can our church live more fully as tenants who joyfully serve the Lord of the harvest?
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5. A Call to Action: “This Was the Lord’s Doing…”
This parable ends with both warning and wonder. Though rejected, Jesus is exalted. His resurrection proves God’s final word.
Personal Application:
· Where do you need to surrender ownership to God again?
· How can you respond more fully to His Word this week?
Church-Wide Application:
· As a church, how can we more faithfully steward the Gospel, welcome the Son, and bear Kingdom fruit?
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Closing Scripture Meditation
1 Peter 2:6–7 – "See, I lay a stone in Zion… the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame."
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Final Prayer
“Jesus, we receive You as our Lord and Cornerstone. Forgive us for the times we have rejected Your voice. Help us to live as fruitful servants, rooted in Your grace and grounded in Your truth. In Your name we pray, Amen.”
For a printable version of this, and previous editions, please click here.
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