No Honor

In the Gospel of Mark (6:4) Jesus says that only in his hometown is a prophet without honor. Well, I can tell you I do not appear to be deserving of very much honor. My last posting here inidcated that it was about Mark Chapter 6 and al of the questions dealt with Mark, Chapter 5. there is certainly no honor in confusing people! Sorry for those of you who figured this out the hard way!

Anyway, now we really and truly do come to Mark Chapter 6 (the first half). So here goes:

Mark – Chapter 6:1-29

1. Why is a prophet without honor in his home town? (6:1-4)

2. What does that mean for us as we seek to minister to others?

3. Why couldn’t Jesus do any miracles in Nazareth?

4. When Jesus sent out the twelve, why did He send them two by two? (6:7)

5. Why were the twelve instructed not to take anything with them? (6:8)

6. Why would the disciples be intructed to stay in the same house until they would leave a particular town? (6:10)

7. What does it mean for them to shake the dust off of their feet? (6:11)

8. Why was there debate over Jesus’ identity? (6:14-16)

9. What would it mean if Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected?

10.Why would King Herod be distressed regarding the debate about Jesus’ identity?

11.What is Jesus’ purpose in telling the disciples to give the crowd something to eat? (6:37)

12.Why would Jesus just pass the twelve apostles by when he walked on the water? (6:47-50)

13. What does it mean that the disciples did not understand about the loaves and the fishes? (6:51-52)

By the way, this Wednesday our Bible study will begin a new study in the book of First Corinthians. Everyone is welcome to attend. Please read try to read the chapter ahead of time.

Have a blessed week!

Pastor Dmitri

Dealing With Demons

We don't talk much about dealing with demons. Hopefully you don't have this as part of your daily routine. Anyway, this week's lesson in Mark takes us to the famous passage about the demon possessed man whom Jesus liberates from his bondage.

We all have demons of a sort. I pray that yours are figurative and not literal.

Mark – Chapter Six

1. In Mark 5 we see Jesus dealing with a demon possessed man. Have you ever encountered anyone that you thought might be demon possessed? How do you think you would know for sure?

2. What do you make out of the fact that the demon possessed man would cut himself with stones? (5:5)

3. How is it that the demon possessed man knew who Jesus was?

4. If Jesus was able to drive the demons from the demon possessed man, then why did the people want to have Jesus leave their area?

5. Why does Jairus have reason to believe that Jesus can heal his daughter?

6. What does Jesus’ healing of the woman with the issue of blood tell us about faith? What does it tell us about Jesus’ power?

7. Would incidental contact with Jesus have healing power?

8. Why would the men tell Jairus (the synagogue leader) not to bother Jesus any more?

9. What is unique about the miracle of raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead?

Please feel free to send me an e-mail with your insights into this chapter or any burning questions that it has raised for you.

Peace.

Pastor Dmitri

Your Weekly Serving

It's time for another heaping helping of Mark's gospel. I hope you have been keeping up. There is an awful lot of good stuff in this chapter. The questions just begin to scratch the surface. I can think of fifteen or twenty sermon possibilities off the top of my head. I suggest that you spend some time with this and I encourage you to ask me any questions you might have.

Come join our lively discussions on Mark at our Sunday School Class at 9:00 AM.

MARK - CHAPTER FOUR

1. What do you like about Jesus using parables to teach? In what ways are the parables difficult for us?

2. In the parable of the soil, do we have the ability to choose which type of soil we will be? If so how can we do that effectively? (4:3-8)

3. If you heard Jesus say: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” what would your reaction be? (4:9)

4. Why does Jesus explain parables to the disciples, but not to other people?

5. What determines the size of the crop that will be produced by the hearer of the Word of God?

6. What does the parable of the mustard seed have to do with the Kingdom of God? (4:30-32) What does the mustard seed represent?

7. Who does Mark proclaim Jesus to be by his writings? Does this fit based upon earlier chapters?

8. Notice how frequently Jesus uses the asking of questions in His teaching. Why would Jesus teach this way, instead of just proclaiming to the hearers what is the truth?


Remember to be at Prayer, Praise on Pie next Sunday at 6:30 PM. I'll plan to see you all there!


Blessings

Pastor Dmitri

More on Mark

I am very pleased with the enthusiastic response you have shown to our study in the Book of Mark. We have had lively discussions at our Sunday classes, not to mention those who have accessed the information avialable here. I would love to hear from you if you are among those who use these posts. I am always interested in feedback.

Mark - Chapter Three

1. Why would Jesus repeatedly heal on the Sabbath knowing that this would be offensive to the Jewish leaders? (3:1-3)

2. Jewish law said that aid to the sick could only be given on the sabbath if a person's life were in danger. Why would Jesus choose to breach this "sacred" rule? (3:1-4)

3. What is the meaning of the wording of Jesus' question in verse 3:4?

4. Why would Jesus be angry at their lack of response?

5. What is it that causes Jesus and the disciples to withdraw from the crowds? Is this a strategic move? (3:7)

6. Why would the evil spirits proclaim who Jesus was? Why would He give them orders not to speak, since they were proclaiming who he was? (3:11-12)

7. What do the Pharisees have to gain by accusing Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub? (3:22)

8. Why would it be that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven - according to Jesus? (3:29)

9. How can Jesus say that all of man's sins will be forgiven? What exactly is blasphemy?

10. What is the point when Jesus asks: "Who are my mother and my brothers?"

I pray that you will be blessed by your study of this book of the Bible. I have always found that He speaks to me in my current life circumstances, wherever I am in my walk of faith.

Blessings


Pastor Dmitri

"Marking" Time

My friends,

I hope and pray that you will take advantage of this site and the ministry resources that we are starting to provide here. What follows is a series of study questions to use in reading of Mark's Gospel - Chapter 2. Please feel free to join us for discussion on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am.

Mark – Chapter Two

1. Why would Jesus’ home be indicated as being located in Capernaum? (v 2:1)

2. What is unique about the story of the four men who bring the paralytic to Jesus? (v. 2:3-4) Why is this important?

3. What is unusual about what Jesus says to the paralytic? (v. 2:5)
4. Why would Jesus ask if it is easier to tell the man his sins are forgiven or to say “take up your mat and walk”?

5. What is it that causes Levi (Matthew), the tax collector to follow Jesus? (v. 2:14)

6. What is wrong with Jesus eating with the tax collectors?

7. Why does Jesus seem to say that He Is not interested in the righteous? (v.2:17)

8. What does Jesus seem to be teaching about the subject of fasting? (v. 2:18-22)

9. What is the problem with the disciples picking heads of grain on the Sabbath? (v. 2:23-24)

10. Does Sabbath still have meaning for us today? Why or why not?

By the way, aside from Christmas, Easter is the easiest time of the year to invite people to visit our church. Please take the opportunity to invite a few of your family, friends and neighbors.

Have a blessed week.


Pastor Dmitri

Mark - Chapter One Study

Read any of the "Good Book" lately?

I have had a number of people tell me lately that they would like to get involved in a Bible Study or participate in the Adult Sunday School class. Unfortunately, some people do not seem to be able to work out their schedules to make that a reality. While I tend to think our biggest obstacle tends to be our priorities, I know that schedules can be quite challenging.

With that in mind, each week going forward, I am going to put on line the study questions we are using for our Sunday morning study in the Gospel of Mark.

In reading the Gospel of Mark, look for how often he says "immediately". Try to figure out the intention of this. The book of Mark is also unique in the way that it shows Jesus continually warning people to keep silent about the miracles He has done. Try to identify what are the intentions of this secret.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. Why would Mark begin his gospel talking about John the Baptist and the writings of Isaiah? (1:1-4)

2. Can Mark's proclamation that all of the people of Jerusalem went out to see John be taken literally? (1:5)

3. Why does Jesus have John baptize him? (1:8-11)

4. What is distinctive about Jesus' first message. (1:15)

5. What would the reaction of the disciples be when they were told that they would become fishers of men?

6. What is remarkable about what happens in 1- 19-12?

7. What language caught your attention in chapter one? Why? Does Mark seem to exagerate a great deal?

8. Is there a pattern to the way that Jesus performs miracles?

9. How would the religious authorities respond to what they heard about Jesus' actions.

10. If Jesus does not want people to talk about the healings that He has done, why does he have the leper go back and show himself to the priest? (1-44)

Please let me know if you have any thoughts or questions about this study. The next instalment
should be posted on this site by March 9th.

Blessings

Pastor Dmitri

Lectio Divina

The Practice of Prayer: Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is the practice of praying scripture as used by the early church and by Christians throughout history. It is a tool that I highly recommend as a means of stimulating and enhancing the depth of your prayer life.

"Praying scripture" allows god to direct the content and direction of our prayer. it opens us up to hearing the Bible as God speaking His word to us in the midst of our particular circumstances.

Lectio divina means "holy reading." This is how it works:

1. Select a short passage of scripture. The Psalms are often a great place to get started (but usually a selection of ten or twelve verses or less is best).

2. Be purposeful. Sit comfortably, breathe deeply, relax your body, acknowledge and relase distractions and invite God's presence.

3. Read the passage (1 or 2 times to begin with). Stop when a word or phrase stops you, stands oyut or attracts you. Is there a word or phrase that impresses you? Take in the passage for one to two minutes.

4. Read the passage again. Listen to discover how the passage touches or speaks into your life today. What does it mean? What is God trying to say to you? Do not try and force a meaning. Be open. This is or should be a refelctive process, involving thinking, feeling and intuition. allow for one to two minutes of silence, creating openness to the Spirit.

5. Read the passage once more. Listen to discover the invitation. What is God calling me to do or be today or this week? Be aware of resistance. Open your heart and will to the action that may be called for. allow 2 or 3 minutes of silence and respond to God.

6. Share and pray. Take time to express what you have heard from God. If you are alone, you might want to journal impressions, or words or a prayer that expresses your response to God. In a group or when you have a chance to do so, share alud the word image, or invtiation you received.

You will not always receive a strong or powerful message from this practice, but it is usually very rewarding, especially to those who do it regularly.


Blessings


Pastor Dmitri