CONNECT: How can you make sure you hear the word this week?

WARM-UP

1. What have you found new, helpful, insightful, or surprising so far in Mark’s Gospel?
2. When have you seen great leadership and authority at work? When have you seen it go wrong?

READ Mark 6:6-13

1. What was the role of teaching in Jesus’ ministry on earth?
2. What sort of mission were the disciples sent out on? How is our mission both similar and different?
3. Why were the disciples not to take anything with them?
4. In our evangelism and in our Christian witness on our frontlines, who are we totally dependant on? Who is the one that can change hearts? How does this spur us on and encourage us in this?
5. What was the result of the disciples’ mission? What can keep us going when the results aren’t quite what we may have hoped?

READ Mark 6:14-29

1. What type of authority do earthly kings or leaders have? What was the reaction of Herod to hearing about the authority of Jesus?
2. When challenged about his sinful relationship by John, what was Herod’s action? What does that tell us about the condition of his heart?
3. What is the danger of being ‘on the fence’ with Jesus? Is there even such a thing? Why/Why not?
4. Even though he recognised John as being a righteous and holy man (v.20) what did Herod approve of? What was his motivation in doing this? Who did he fear?
5. How is Herod’s kingship different to that of Jesus’? What did Jesus do with his authority?
6. What ruler or authority should we submit to? What benefits do we receive when we submit to him?
7. How does the crowd react to Jesus?
8. What reaction or emotion does Jesus have to the crowds in V34? Do you have the same for those who don’t know Jesus yet? Why/Why not?

APPLY: How does submitting to King Jesus make a difference on your frontlines?

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On Your Frontline This Week: How does the work you do point to God? If you are not sure, brainstorm with a friend and ask God to reveal it to you.

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen and Watch:          

• AUDIO: “The Twelve Sent Out” by Alistair Begg:
• AUDIO: “Be Careful how You Hear” by Alistair Begg:
• AUDIO: “A Prophet Without Honour” by Dick Lucas:

Read:

• ARTICLES: “John the Baptist and Celebrity Culture”
• ESSAY: “The Life of Christ” by Darrell Bock

Series Resources:

• RESOURCES: The Gospel of Mark (Video Overviews and More)
• RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Mark Courses
• VIDEO: The Bible Project Mark Overview
• VIDEO/AUDIO: iTunes U, Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
• VIDEO: Training on the Purpose of Mark

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