MARCH 22
10:15 I Facebook Live
UTTERLY AMAZED
Well friends, we’re all one week into the national emergency due to the COVID-19 virus. How y’all doing? I’m sure the answers are all over the board. And our answers say much about us — things like where we work, what personality type we have, where we gather our information. But most importantly, this is a great time to find out what we truly value. Testing has a way of making some things clear to us that we can’t see when life is easy, when nothing is asked of us. And what is testing but a time of being asked for things? Let’s dig in this week and see how Jesus handles this, and what it has to teach us, and let’s see why his answers let the crowds utterly amazed.
Grace Church Learning Guide
Week of January 5th 2020
There's a New Sheriff in Town
John Ray
Mark 1: 21-45 (NET)
For a PDF of the Learning Guide, Click Here.
THE BIG IDEA
Jesus establishes His authority through a combination of his head, hand, and heart. His followers are called to do the same.
GROUP DISCUSSION
As you read the passage this week, talk about the part where people exclaimed that Jesus “had authority not like the experts of the law”. What does that mean? Where do you see that authority demonstrated?
Also, spend some time considering where our authority comes from, collectively, as a Church. Where are we doing it well? Where are we lacking? How do we, collectively, follow Jesus and practice the ways Jesus shows us in this passage?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
While I’m not a big believer in New Year's resolutions, I am a huge fan of living intentionally, of being purposeful in our practices and habits. Take some time this week to consider the combination of Jesus’s actions in the passage. Consider how Jesus demonstrated who he was in what he said, what he did and what he loved. What about us? What practices and habits will we intentionally devote ourselves to that develop our hearts, mind and actions? Write them down. Share them with someone to help stay the course. Make the necessary adjustments to our schedule, finances, commitments to practice them.
RESOURCES
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Working Preacher commentary and corresponding Jesus’ Ministry Begins podcast
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Bible Project Mark Overview video
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Read about Pope Francis’ encounter with a disfigured man at the Vatican here and here.
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Teaching with Authority from Ligonier Ministries
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Jesus’ Solitude and Silence from Soul Shepherding
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week as we continue to examine who Jesus is in the gospel of Mark, we take a look at Jesus the forgiver of sins.. Check it out in Mark 1:2-22.
Grace Church Learning Guide
Week of January 12th 2020
Time for New Wineskins
John Ray
Mark 2: 1-22 (NET)
For a PDF of the Learning Guide, Click Here.
THE BIG IDEA
Jesus, with the authority He brings, changes everything, but to enter it, we need to let go of the old.
GROUP DISCUSSION
As you read this passage, what are the things you see Jesus coming into conflict with? What things are obvious, what things are less so? What do you think people’s main “hang up” are with Jesus in this passage? How does He respond when confronted? How does this inform the way we should respond when we are confronted? As a Church, what are “New wineskins” for us?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Any season of change involves letting go of. Sometimes that easy and welcome, we are done with, tired of the old ways. They’re ragged and worn out. Other times it’s worse than pulling teeth. We love the ways things are, we cherish the current situation. Take some time out and give a listen “Back to Square One” from Eugene Peterson given a few years back. Consider what you might need to let go of to receive what is to come.
RESOURCES
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Sean Gladdings offers an interesting take on the story of Mark.
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Narrative Lectionary commentary on our text here and here and the podcast here
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Discussion on the question “which is easier” from Matthew Payne.
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Jesus the Great Physician, blog by Ligonier Ministries
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week, we are transitioning from the historical/biographical nature of the book of Mark, and examining the words of Jesus. He often taught in metaphor, called parables, and we will see a few of those next week. Read about it in Mark 4:1-34.
ODDS AND ENDS
Wanna start talking about the upcoming election? Me neither, but there is something we must talk about
Grace Church Learning Guide
Week of January 19, 2020
The Reason for the Light
John Ray
Mark 4:1-34 (NET)
For a PDF of the Learning Guide, Click Here.
THE BIG IDEA
The reason for the seed to produce food, shelter and comfort. The reason for the light is to dispel the darkness and reveal things as they are.
GROUP DISCUSSION
The parable of the sower has been preached a million different ways, but one of the most common is in a manner to make the listener feel responsible for being “good soil.” Is that the best way to read this? Maybe start by asking who the “hero” of the story is. What is the purpose of the seed? It’s also good to think about who we consider ourselves to be in this story. Consider the reaction of the disciples and Jesus’ reaction to them. What is this speaking to your group? To us as a church?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We have to be careful when meditating on parables not to make them into something they are not. Our temptation is to squeeze principles or hammer instructions out of them. This week, I want you to set that kind of thinking aside and read the parable once each day, verses 3-8, 21-22, 26-29,and 31-32. Let them just settle in you. Don’t try to disect or categorize. They’re pretty short, so maybe memorize them and talk about them with your friends, spouse or kiddos. Notice what emotions or images they bring to your mind and heart.
RESOURCES
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Narrative Lectionary Commentary here and here and the podcast here
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Euguene Peterson suggests that the Book of Mark is the basic text for Christian Spirituality.
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Animated video of this parable (may be especially suitable for kids)
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Listen, But Not Understand blog post from Spirit and Truth Publishing
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Parables: How We Listen sermon from Tim Mackie
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week we will look at one healing event in Jesus’ life, when he heals one who is demon possessed. Read about it in Mark 5:1-20.
ODDS AND ENDS
Other resources, websites, articles, etc.. not related directly to the text but interesting nonetheless.
MLK is Monday. Maybe sign up for this class as a way to do something practical?
Grace Church Learning Guide
Week of January 26, 2020
In It to Win It
John Ray
Mark 5:1-20 (NET)
For a PDF of the Learning Guide, Click Here.
THE BIG IDEA
Jesus establishes His authority outside the borders of Israel and over all realms, including the spooky ones.
GROUP DISCUSSION
The parable of the sower has been preached a million different ways, but one of the most common is in a manner to make the listener feel responsible for being “good soil.” Is that the best way to read this? Maybe start by asking who the “hero” of the story is. What is the purpose of the seed? It’s also good to think about who we consider ourselves to be in this story. Consider the reaction of the disciples and Jesus’ reaction to them. What is this speaking to your group? To us as a church?
PERSONAL REFLECTION
We have to be careful when meditating on parables not to make them into something they are not. Our temptation is to squeeze principles or hammer instructions out of them. This week, I want you to set that kind of thinking aside and read the parable once each day, verses 3-8, 21-22, 26-29,and 31-32. Let them just settle in you. Don’t try to disect or categorize. They’re pretty short, so maybe memorize them and talk about them with your friends, spouse or kiddos. Notice what emotions or images they bring to your mind and heart.
RESOURCES
-
Narrative Lectionary Commentary here and here and the podcast here
-
Euguene Peterson suggests that the Book of Mark is the basic text for Christian Spirituality.
-
Animated video of this parable (may be especially suitable for kids)
-
Listen, But Not Understand blog post from Spirit and Truth Publishing
-
Parables: How We Listen sermon from Tim Mackie
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week we will look at one healing event in Jesus’ life, when he heals one who is demon possessed. Read about it in Mark 5:1-20.
ODDS AND ENDS
Other resources, websites, articles, etc.. not related directly to the text but interesting nonetheless.
MLK is Monday. Maybe sign up for this class as a way to do something practical?