Thursday, January 24

This Thursday, January 24, we will be discussing Mark chapter 8. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 8 - What does it mean to deny Self?
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Discussion #1

Mark 8:1-21

When you read Mark 8 you probably had a sense of Deja vu. Mark 8 seems to repeat many of the same events of Mark 6 and 7 we looked at two weeks ago. Take a look starting at Mark 6:30. Mark's book is short, concise and deliberate. The author would not repeat a similar incident unless there was a very intentional reason.

1. What are the similarities and differences between Mark 6/7 and Mark 8?
2. What do you think is the reason that Mark seems to repeat himself? What is the point Mark is trying to convey?
3. The Pharisees come to Jesus and ask for a sign. Why do you think Jesus refuses the Pharisees?

Discussion #2

Mark 8:22-9:1

1. In Mark 7, Jesus touches the deaf man once. In Mark 8, Jesus touches the blind man twice. Do you think there is any significance to this?
   
2. Why does Jesus continue to tell recipients of healing not to publicize?
3. Why does Jesus rebuke Peter?
4. What does it mean to deny self? (Mk 8:34)

Thank you for your prayers and support!

Last Thursday was a very special night for me. Thanks to all of you for giving such an incredible gift and for your sharing your memories and your prayers! I am so grateful to Impact for all the friendships I have made through this group -- I will miss you so much!



It is truly overwhelming to have a new Dell XPS 1330 computer to use at Talbot! The best part about it is that it is red! I know I won't get lost in the crowd that way. And to show my thankfulness for my new digital camera, I have posted some photos that were taken at Impact. I love you all and will be praying for you while I am in Southern Cal!

May the Lord richly bless you in all you do!

Much love,

Marsha





"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:2-6

Thursday, January 10

This Thursday, January 10, we will be discussing Mark chapter 7. We meet from 7-9 pm at 700 Santa Cruz behind Ace Hardware in Menlo Park. Read ahead of time so you'll be ready for the discussion questions below. We look forward to seeing you!

Mark 7 – How do we become clean?

Discussion #1 – Mark 7:1-23

Jesus discusses with the Pharisees what is clean and unclean

1.

A. Traditions and the keeping of the law were very important to the Pharisees. Why does Jesus speak against the Pharisees’ emphasis on cleanliness in this passage?

B. Jesus calls the Pharisees “hypocrites,” and quotes the passage from Isaiah which says “their heart is far away from me.” What does it mean to have a heart that is close to Jesus?

2. The people in Jesus’ day seemed to feel that by washing hands, cups and the food, that a person would be “clean.” To us it may seem obvious that this does not make us clean on the inside. But can you think of ways we still practice this way of thinking that something external rather than internal can make us clean? List examples…

Discussion #2 – Mark 7:24-36

A Gentile woman’s young daughter is healed of an unclean spirit

A deaf and dumb man is healed

1. Jesus makes an interesting comment in verse 27 when he says, “First, let the children eat all they want, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” What does that mean and why does Jesus reward the Gentile woman’s response in verse 28 when she says, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs”?

2. What do you find intriguing about the story of the healing of the deaf and mute man or of the reaction of the people who watch the miracle?

Mark 6

Join us tonight, January 3, at 7 pm, as we read and talk about Mark chapter 6. Below are the discussion questions for the evening:

Discussion #1 – Mark 6:1-31

Jesus visits his home town
The 12 are sent to serve
John the Baptist is beheaded

1. When Jesus visited his hometown, he runs into some issues. It says, “He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands upon a few sick people and healed them.” Is it possible that our unbelief can limit God? Why could he not do a miracle there?

2. In verses 14-29, the horrible story of John the Baptist’s death is played out. Who is responsible for John’s death and what was the cause of his death?

What is our responsibility to intervene when we witness an immoral act?

Discussion #2 – Mark 6:30-56

The 12 return
5,000 are fed
Jesus walks on water
Jesus heals at Gennesaret

1. In verses 30-31, the 12 disciples return and report all they were able to do as they had been sent out. But in verse 51-52, they are frightened after Jesus walked on water. The passage says:

“And He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were greatly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

How do you explain the inconsistency in their faith? What was meant by describing their hearts as being hardened?

In the story of Herod, the feeding of 5,000, and in the storm on the seas, fear has a major role in terms of the actions and thoughts of these people. If fear is the force that may be our biggest obstacle in our spiritual lives, how can we identify our fears and grow our faith? What are some of your fears?

2. Read silently together the passage Matthew 14:22-33. What extra insights does this give you beyond what we read in Mark? Is there anything troubling to you? Why would Jesus walk by them on the water?