GRADUAL VISIONMark 8:22–25 (NLT) "When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, 'Can you see anything now?' The man looked around. 'Yes,' he said, 'I see people, but I can’t see them...  Read More

THE YEAST OF THE SYSTEMMark 8:14–17 (NLT) "But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat. As they were crossing the lake, Jesus warned them, 'Watch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.' At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he sai...  Read More

THE FORGOTTEN REPEATMark 8:1–4 (NLT) "About this time another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, 'I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way, because some of them have come a long distance.' His disciples...  Read More

THE GHOST ON THE WATERMark 6:47–50a (NLT) "Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw him walking on the water, ...  Read More

THE MATH OF EXHAUSTIONMark 6:30–31, 37, 41 (NLT) "The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, 'Let’s go off by yourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.' He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat... But Jesus said, 'You give them something to eat...  Read More

INTRODUCTION: 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.OPEN:  Share with the group a time in your life when you were incredibly startled, whether by a friend, an animal or insect, or some oth...  Read More