Posts with the tag “mark”

The Glory WE Can’t Hold OntoINTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTIONThink back to a spiritual experience you’ve had in your life that you would call a “mountain-t...  Read More

HELP MY UNBELIEF!Mark 9:20–24 (NLT) “The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”There may be no prayer more honest, or more relatable, in the entire Bible. The boy's father is exhausted. Years of watching his son suffer. Years of disappointment. Years of praying without answers. His faith isn't polished; it's patched together from hope and heartbreak. When Je...  Read More

THE VALLEY OF FAILUREMark 9:14–19 (NLT) “When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd… Some teachers of religious law were arguing… One man spoke up and said, ‘Teacher, I brought my son… but your disciples couldn’t cast out the evil spirit.’ Jesus said… ‘How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’”The valley is where our faith feels thin...  Read More

THE MOUNTAIN OF GLORYMark 9:2–8 (NLT) “Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white… Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus… a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’ Sudde...  Read More

THE MOUNTAIN OF GLORYMark 9:2–8 (NLT) “Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white… Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus… a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’ Sudde...  Read More

The Confession We Don’t UnderstandINTRODUCTION The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTION When did you first begin to believe that Jesus truly is your Lord? Was it at your bapt...  Read More

THE SILENCE THAT SPEAKSMark 8:30 (NLT) "Then Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him."This is one of the most puzzling verses in the Gospels. Peter just gave the right answer to the most important question ever asked, and Jesus tells him to keep quiet about it.Imagine you're in a classroom. You've been studying for weeks, flash cards, practice problems, late-night cramming. The teacher fina...  Read More

THE COST OF FOLLOWINGMark 8:34-38 (NLT) "Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole wor...  Read More

THE MESSIAH WE DIDN'T EXPECTMark 8:31-33 (NLT) "Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead. As he talked about this openly, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. But Jesus turned an...  Read More

We're starting in the middle of Mark's Gospel, which, I admit, seems a little odd, but it is intentional. By the time we reach Mark 8, Jesus has been teaching, healing, and confusing people for months. The crowds have been following Him, the religious leaders have been questioning Him, and His disciples have been trying to figure out who He really is.It’s at this point that Jesus stops being evasi...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTIONHave you ever had the opportunity to serve on a mission trip, or some kind of mission experience? If so, what did you do, ...  Read More

Advocating:  Giving Voice  Mark 12:41-44, NLT 41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins.43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 4...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENING QUESTIONShare with the group a phrase someone younger than you uses that you don’t understand, or a song you don’t get, or a fashi...  Read More

Crosswalk will be relevant in living out the ways of Jesus in our time and place.WIth and Then Mark 3:13-15, ESV 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons.I fully admit, I’m a doe...  Read More

Turning towards our forever home  Matthew 4:17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”Mark 1: 15 “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”Psalm 23: 6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I ...  Read More

A purpose, a battle, and a sacrifice  A Purpose - Why did Jesus come into our world in the first place?Matthew 1: 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he w...  Read More

(Mark 4:38b-41 NLT) The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?” [39] When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. [40] Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" [41] The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they a...  Read More

(Mark 4:35-38a NLT) As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." [36] So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). [37] But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. [38] Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a...  Read More

SolitudeLuke 5:15-16But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.Mark 1:35Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.John 12:36After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from th...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSWhat is one of your favorite things about the Christmas season?  What’s one of your least favorite things?HEADRead Luke 22:4...  Read More

What It Means to Belong to a Church CommunityBelonging to a church community is a vital part of the Christian life, offering a sense of connection, purpose, and mutual encouragement. The church, described in Scripture as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), is not merely a gathering of individuals but a unified spiritual family bound together by faith in Jesus. This belonging reflects both ou...  Read More

Belonging in the BibleThe theme of belonging is central throughout the Bible, reflecting humanity’s deep desire to be connected to God and one another. From the opening chapters of Genesis to the closing verses of Revelation, Scripture reveals God’s plan to draw people into a loving relationship with Himself and into community with others.In Genesis, we see the foundation of belonging in the creat...  Read More

John 18:13 First they took him to Annas, since he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s cou...  Read More

John 18:10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?”12 So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up.John 18:10-12 recounts a pivotal moment during Jesus’ arre...  Read More

Luke 22:49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.Luke 22:49–51 recounts a dramatic moment during Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, revealing His un...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSCan you remember back to a time when someone in your life stood up for you in a meaningful, maybe even transformative way, w...  Read More

The account of Jesus healing the centurion's servant, found in Matthew 8:5–13, is a powerful demonstration of faith, humility, and Jesus' divine authority. This narrative unfolds shortly after Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and serves as a profound lesson about the universality of God's kingdom and the importance of trust in Him.In the story, a Roman centurion, a man of significant authority in the oc...  Read More

Matthew 8:12 But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13 Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, “Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.” And the young servant was healed that same hour.Jesus was willing to heal the man’s servant because of the overwhelming faith that this man show...  Read More

Matthew 8:11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. What an amazing prophecy. And what a statement of belonging! What Jesus is saying is clear. The kingdom of Heaven is for everyone, not just for the Jews. Its gates are wide open to any who would believe, and the...  Read More

Mathew 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel! 11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. As the story continues, Jesus finds himself at a los...  Read More

Matthew 8:7 Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves...  Read More

5 When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, 6 “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.”I have always loved this interchange. This is a man who has some clout and importance and is willing to break with protocol in order to take care of one of his servants. Jesus immediately shows his willingness to serve and heal, yet the man knows tha...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSOk, so have you ever experienced an encounter with what you considered was evil? What was it and what happened?HEADRead Mark...  Read More

13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they...  Read More

9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”Names are important, as we have esta...  Read More

Matthew 8:4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 Wit...  Read More

Matthew 8:1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smas...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSWhat is one of your favorite things about the Christmas season?  What’s one of your least favorite things?HEADRead John 5:1-...  Read More

John 5:13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.This is an interesting addendum to the story. The man didn’t know who had healed him until later, wh...  Read More

John 5:9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, This text feels like we are just cherry picking a little bit. And we should probably include the following text in today's devotional. However, I am not because I want to discuss something very specific today. The text begins with the man being healed as he stood up. H...  Read More