Grow Guide | Jan 21, 2024
One Easter One Mission
Reading: Mark 4:2-8, 13-20
Connecting Questions
What’s your favorite television program. Why?
What’s a family story that gets repeated often?
Prayer for Illumination
Eternal God, you have placed us in a world of space and time, and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love. Grant that in the new year we may know your presence, see your love at work, and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever - the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Context
One Easter One Mission, as a community of believers we will come together to celebrate community and generosity. We will use those attributes to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. Studying the gospel of Mark we see how Jesus taught his disciples (and us) to bear fruit and live active lives of faith. Come explore the many opportunities to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ at Easter. So glad you are here!
From Pastor Paul Berge at EntertheBible.org:
The Gospel of Mark is about the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ, who is identified as one from Nazareth at his baptism, recognized as God’s Son by fearful demonic spirits, and proclaimed as the resurrected Lord by a young man in a white robe. In Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen, the reign and rule of God’s kingdom has come among us.
Look at the Book
Open to Mark 1. Reread Mark 1:1; why was this verse so important?
Jump to Mark 4. Read verse 1. What do we learn?
Where was Jesus's teaching from? Why?
Why is beside the “sea” so important? What other Bible stories involve the sea?
What is a parable? Are there any parables outside of the Bible today?
A key theme is that the disciples do not understand Jesus’s teachings. Why is this important?
What do you think the seed is? What is being sown?
What might be modern day examples of the challenges of sowing the seed?
Read verse 8. Why is this surprising? What is being said about the the growth of the seed?
For Martin Luther: Faith is a gift from God, and ". . .a living, bold trust in God's grace, so certain of God's favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it." What does that mean for the sower?
Who do we hope in our own lives deepens their connection with Jesus? Why?
Mark 13-20 is where Jesus tries to explain the parable to the disciples. Any surprises in this “explanation?”
A biblical image for faith is “fruit.” What do you think the fruit of faith looks like? (Check out Galatian 5:22-23 for hint!)
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Read this parable each day this week and ask God, help me see what you see.
What fruit of the Spirit do you want to see in the world this year? Why?
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.