Archive | October, 2015

the 2nd part of the Mark bible study Mark 10:35-45

30 Oct

Mark 10:35-45 The Message (MSG)

Essential Question: Jesus brings the disciples together to resolve a conflict due to James and John’s request to sit at Jesus’ right hand. He speaks about: 1. becoming a servant in order to become great and then 2. Becoming a slave. What is the difference between a servant and a slave in this text? With whom is Jesus challenging his disciples to be a slave to? With whom is he challenging them to be a slave for?

The Highest Places of Honour

35 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came up to him. “Teacher, we have something we want you to do for us.”

36 “What is it? I’ll see what I can do.”

37 “Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honour in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.”

38 Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking. Are you capable of drinking the cup I drink, of being baptized in the baptism I’m about to be plunged into?”

39-40 “Sure,” they said. “Why not?”

Jesus said, “Come to think of it, you will drink the cup I drink, and be baptized in my baptism. But as to awarding places of honour, that’s not my business. There are other arrangements for that.”

41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw their weight around,” he said, “and when people get a little power how quickly it goes to their heads. It’s not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

Essential Question: Jesus brings the disciples together to resolve a conflict due to James and John’s request to sit at Jesus’ right hand. He speaks about: 1. becoming a servant in order to become great and then 2. Becoming a slave. What is the difference between a servant and a slave in this text? With whom is Jesus challenging his disciples to be a slave to? With whom is he challenging them to be a slave for?

Which is the more difficult to do? Can someone do both? Why? Why not?

How did Jesus do both? What is his ultimate work/mission?

Finally, why does ‘he give away his life’?

a two part Bible study from the Gospel of Mark

28 Oct

Below is the first of a two part study from the middle of the Gospel of Mark. There is only one question, an essential question, at the beginning of each study. Essential questions can and should have multiple responses. There is no ‘right’ answer. My thinking/responses to both study questions will posted at this site after both studies go live.

Essential Question: Why does Jesus sigh deeply with people?

Mark 7:31-37New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Mark 8:1-13

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

8 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

Essential Question: Why does Jesus sigh deeply with people?

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40acts wins Jerusalem 2015 award

14 Oct

Stewardship wins a third Jerusalem Award for 40acts Challenge

Last night the team behind the 40acts Challenge for Lent were thrilled to accept a Jerusalem Award in the Digital Campaign category.

This marks the third Jerusalem Award that the campaign has won in as many years, but this category was newly created in 2015 to specifically recognise digital campaigns of excellence.

Alexandra Khan, project manager for 40acts 2015, said, “There were some fantastic campaigns shortlisted for this award, including projects by 24-7 Prayer, Premier and the CofE.

“I know I can speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we were incredibly humbled to have won this year. It’s a privilege to continue to inspire so many people with a simple message of generosity throughout Lent.”

40acts will enter its sixth year in 2016, starting on Wednesday February 10th. The seven-week sermon resources for churches will be released by the end of October 2015. Church leaders can enter their details below to be given early access to the materials.

To sign up for 40acts as an individual, click here.

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