Grow Guide | March 10, 2024
Series Theme: All Good Gifts
Reading: Mark 13:1-8
Connecting Questions
What is a special place that does not exist anymore?
What do you wish you had more time for?
Prayer for Illumination
Lord God, You have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Context
Our worship theme turns to give greater focus to our Lenten journey with All Good Gifts, looking at what we receive from God which we then share with others. We continue focusing on Jesus’ teachings from the gospel of Mark. We encourage you to use the Lenten season to truly focus in on what we receive as people of faith and how we are called to share this with others. How we will use those attributes to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. Come explore the many opportunities to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ at Easter. So glad you are here!
From Pastor Paul Berge at EntertheBible.org:
Jesus speaks about coming persecution, signs of the temple’s destruction and the desolating sacrilege, cosmic signs of the end, and the coming of the Son of Man. He says that the Son of Man is near and insists that the day or hour of his return is known only by the Father.
Look at the Book
Open to Mark 1:14-15. As Jesus begins his ministry, what is his key theme?
Jump to Mark 13. Where is Jesus leaving and with whom?
What do you know about the Temple in Jesus’s day?
What is the third of the 10 Commandments? Hint from Martin Luther (Small Catechism): What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.
Notice, the command to observe the Sabbath does not include a physical location, like a Temple—or church! So, why is it important for us to gather for worship?
Mark 13:1-8 is sometimes called the “small apocalypse.” What do you think about when you hear the word apocalypse?
Jesus predicts the Temple will be torn down—which it eventually was—how do you think that people who heard that “revelation” received it?
Where is Jesus in verse 3? Why is that location important?
What do the disciples ask Jesus in verse 4?
Jesus goes on to warn the disciples to not let other people lead them astray. Who have been leaders or “celebrities” that have led people astray? Why does it keep happening?
What is happening in verses 7-8? What image is used at the end of verse 8 and what might it mean?
What does Jesus say may happen to followers in verse 9?
The disciples are concerned that a sacred space will be gone. What is one lesson about change you would share with a young person?
Who has the gift for being able to see scams? Why is that important in religious communities?
Our theme words for this week are watch, trust, endurance. Which spoke to you today? Why?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Check on an elder who may not be aware of certain scams aimed at them.
What is one thing you hope the next generation finds in church that has fed you?
God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.