CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 19:8-11, 14 (TPT)
8 His teachings make us joyful and radiate his light;
his precepts are so pure!
His commands, how they challenge us to keep close to his heart!
The revelation-light of his word makes my spirit shine radiant.
9 Every one of the Lord’s commands is right;
following them brings cheer.
Nothing he says ever needs to be changed.
10 The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth.
That’s why I prize God’s word like others prize the finest gold.
Nothing brings the soul such sweetness
as seeking his living words.
11 For they warn us, his servants,
and keep us from following the wicked way,
giving a lifetime guarantee:
great success to every obedient soul!
14 So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts,
and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing,
acceptable before your eyes,
my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.
The Passion Translation (TPT) The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. thePassionTranslation.com
Mark 6:1-13 (NIVUK)
A prophet without honour
1Jesus left there and went to his home town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him.
4 Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.’ 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few people who were ill and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Jesus sends out the Twelve
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.
8 These were his instructions: ‘Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’
12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed with oil many people who were ill and healed them.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK) Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Comment:
The reading from Mark is in two sections; the first (1-6) deals with the rejection of Jesus by the people in his home town of Nazareth, the second (7-13) deals with Jesus sending out the Twelve on a “mission” trip. The primary focus for our study this week is (7-13).
QUESTIONS:
- What type of traveller are you? Do you travel light, or pack for every eventuality?
- Why do you think Jesus sent the disciples out two by two (v.7)?
- What were the disciples to take with them (v.8-9)? Why?
- If the disciples were rejected by the people, how were they to react (v. 11)? Why
- Think about the way you “walk”; your body language can “say” so much to others about how you see yourself, and about how you want others to see you. Think carefully about what others “see” about you, when they see you walking by.
- The phrase “walk the talk” is a popular one and used in many cultures. In Christianity it is used to challenge Christ Followers to strive to live their life in ways that shows to the world what they believe – in action; no disconnect between what they say they believe, and how they live. Do you “walk the talk”?
God bless for the week ahead,
Rev.Tim