What Do You Want Me To Do For You? | Mark 10:46-52
From the Sermon Series: Questions Jesus Asked
Sermon Guide for July 26, 2026
How to Use This Guide:
These guides are designed to help you engage more deeply with my weekly sermon or serve as stand-alone, self-guided Bible studies. Use them to prepare your heart before worship or to reflect on God’s Word throughout the week.
Parents, use the “Family Practice” section to lead meaningful conversations that nurture your kids' faith and help them grow in God’s love.
"What Do You Want Me To Do For You?" (Mark 10:46-52)
Big Idea
Jesus invites us to bring our deepest needs to him in desperate faith, not merely so he can answer our requests, but so we will follow him as disciples.
Read the Passage
Mark 10:46–52
As you read, notice the movement of the story:
Bartimaeus begins on the side of the road.
He cries out to Jesus.
Jesus stops.
Jesus asks a question.
Bartimaeus receives his sight.
Bartimaeus follows Jesus.
1. Jesus Meets Us Where We Feel Stuck (v. 46)
Bartimaeus wasn't just blind, he was a beggar sitting by the roadside. Many of us know what it feels like to be "on the side of the road."
Maybe it's:
a health struggle
an addiction
a broken relationship
anxiety or depression
a recurring temptation
discouragement that makes us wonder if anything will ever change
Before Jesus entered the story, Bartimaeus probably assumed this was simply his life.
Reflection
Where do you feel "stuck" right now?
What burden have you begun to believe will never change?
How does Bartimaeus encourage you to bring that burden to Jesus?
Action Step
Write down one area where you need God's help. Bring it before him in prayer this week instead of carrying it alone.
2. Desperate Faith Pursues Jesus (vv. 47–48)
When Bartimaeus hears Jesus is passing by, he cries out for mercy. The crowd tells him to be quiet, but he refuses. Bartimaeus wasn't merely curious about Jesus; he was desperate for Jesus!
Desperate faith isn't concerned with reputation, comfort, or social approval. It simply knows Jesus is the only hope.
Reflection
Are you pursuing Jesus casually or desperately?
What fears, distractions, or opinions of others keep you from fully following him?
What would it look like to seek Jesus with greater urgency?
Action Step
Identify one distraction that has been dulling your pursuit of Jesus. Intentionally remove or limit it this week.
3. Jesus Stops for Humble Faith (v. 49)
Mark records two incredible words: "Jesus stopped."
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. The cross was only days away. Yet he stopped for one blind beggar.
Our prayers never interrupt God. He hears those who humbly call upon him.
Reflection
Do you truly believe God hears your prayers?
Have you ever hesitated to pray because you felt insignificant?
Action Step
Spend five uninterrupted minutes each day this week simply talking honestly with God.
4. Jesus Invites Relationship, Not Just Requests (v. 51)
Jesus asks:
"What do you want me to do for you?"
The answer seems obvious! Jesus already knew. So why ask? Because faith is personal.
Jesus wasn't looking for information. He was inviting Bartimaeus into conversation. Prayer isn't about telling God something he doesn't know. It is one of the primary ways we express our dependence, grow in trust, and enjoy fellowship with our Father.
Reflection
Has your prayer life become mostly a list of requests?
Do you enjoy spending time with God, or do you mainly come to him when something is wrong?
What keeps you from honest conversation with God?
Action Step
This week, spend part of your prayer time simply praising God, thanking him, and enjoying his presence before asking him for anything.
5. Jesus Doesn't Just Answer Prayers—He Makes Disciples (v. 52)
Mark tells us something incredibly important about Bartimaeus:
"He followed him on the way."
Bartimaeus moved:
from outsider to disciple
from sitting to following
from the side of the road to walking the road with Jesus
Jesus restored his sight, but more importantly, he transformed his life.
Following Jesus meant walking the uphill road toward Jerusalem, where Jesus would ultimately go to the cross.
Reflection
Are you primarily asking God to improve your life, or are you willing to follow him wherever he leads?
If God answered your biggest prayer today, would it lead you into deeper discipleship?
Action Step
Ask yourself: "What is one practical step of obedience God is calling me to take this week?"
The Question Jesus Asks
Jesus still asks each one of us:
"What do you want me to do for you?"
Bring him your burdens.
Bring him your fears.
Bring him your sin.
Bring him your brokenness.
But honestly ask yourself: If Jesus answered the prayer you've been praying, would you use his gifts to follow him more faithfully? Because that's what Bartimaeus did.
Family Practice
Read Together
Read Mark 10:46–52 aloud as a family.
Ask everyone to imagine what it would have been like to be Bartimaeus sitting beside the road.
Talk Together
Younger Children
Why was Bartimaeus calling for Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus stopped?
Why did Jesus ask Bartimaeus what he wanted?
What happened after Bartimaeus was healed?
Older Children & Teens
Why do you think the crowd wanted Bartimaeus to be quiet?
What does desperate faith look like today?
Why does God want us to pray if he already knows what we need?
What does it mean to follow Jesus instead of simply asking him for things?
Family Challenge
This week, each family member should answer Jesus' question:
"What do you want me to do for you?"
Write your answer on a piece of paper.
Pray together about those requests every day this week.
At the end of each prayer, ask one more question:
"How can we follow Jesus more faithfully today?"
Family Memory Verse
"And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way" (Mark 10:52).
Family Prayer
"Father, thank you for hearing us when we cry out to you. Help us to trust you, to bring our needs honestly before you, and to follow Jesus wherever he leads. Give us faith like Bartimaeus—a faith that is desperate for Jesus and willing to walk with him every day. In Jesus' name, amen."
