Mark 3:20-35 Bible Study Questions

In verses 20-35, what accusations did Jesus face after returning home from appointing the 12 apostles? Who were the sources of these accusations?
How did Jesus respond to these accusations?
What is a parable and why did Jesus frequently use parables?
Why were the charges of the religious leaders both self-contradictory and self-condemning?
In vs. 22-30, Jesus is addressing persistently hardened religious leaders who are willfully misleading the people and accusing Jesus of being a tool of Satan, and they are even intent on killing him (see 3:6). So in light of their very hardened hearts, Jesus says that all sorts of sins can be forgiven (vs. 28), but blaspheming the Spirit (by whom he casts out demons) will never be forgiven (vs. 29). With all this in mind, what is blaspheming the Spirit?
How did Jesus react to the news that his mother and brothers were there to see him? On what basis is Jesus establishing a new type of family?
Why could this have been a radical teaching in the eyes of Jews?
While Jesus is establishing new parameters for what constitutes a family, why was he NOT suggesting that believers ignore or abandon their families to serve God? (See 1 Timothy 5:8)
What is the will of God according to Jesus? (Consider the following scripture examples: John 6:38-40; Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 7:21-23; 1 Peter 2:15; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Application:

What ready answer could I give to someone who questions my decision to follow Jesus?
How do I know I have not committed an eternal sin (“the unpardonable sin”)?
In what ways does Christ impact a pattern of obedience to God’s will in my life? Is there any part of my life where I find myself wanting to resist God’s will?