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Mark 12 · Grade 5

Not Far From the Kingdom

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Read and Think

In Mark 12 Jesus faces a series of challenges in the temple. The parable of the tenants retells Israel's history: God sent prophet after prophet, who were rejected, and finally His beloved Son. The leaders, as tenants of God's vineyard, Israel, would kill the Son. But God would make the rejected stone the cornerstone.

The questions that follow are traps. The tax question tried to force Jesus to choose between the people and Rome. His answer affirms legitimate government while declaring God's greater claim: Caesar's image is on the coin. But God's image is on us. To the Sadducees, Jesus shows that the resurrection is rooted in God's covenant faithfulness: He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the living.

The scribe's sincere question draws out Jesus' summary of the law: the Shema and love for neighbor. Jesus then asks how the Christ can be David's son when David calls Him Lord, pointing to His divine identity. He warns against scribes who love honor yet devour widows' houses. And then He highlights a widow whose gift shows true devotion, a quiet picture of the total self-giving He would soon display.

Show What You Know

  1. How does the parable of the tenants retell Israel's history?

  2. How did Jesus' tax answer go deeper than politics?

  3. How did Jesus root the resurrection in God's covenant?

  4. What is the Shema?

  5. How does the widow's gift foreshadow Jesus?

Crossword

523614

Across

  1. Where Jesus watched people give money.
  2. Love your ____ as yourself.
  3. How many coins the widow put in.

Down

  1. Leaders asked about paying taxes to him.
  2. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and ____.
  3. She gave two small coins.

Think About It

  1. Jesus told the scribe he was not far from the Kingdom. What is the difference between being near the Kingdom and entering it?

  2. Contrast the scribes who loved honor with the widow. What makes giving pleasing to God?

Memory Verse

“When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.”

Mark 12:34 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can we give to God with our whole heart, not just our money?
  • What step can you take to follow Jesus more closely?
  • What is one specific way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.