Week 7. READ: Mark 10:17-31
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The ancient question that remains relevant to many people today asks: if there is such a reality as life after death or eternal life, how can I obtain it? Someone recently expressed this sentiment about a very successful and rich school classmate who died: His parents never went to...
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11Sep 2017
Bible Study The end, the beginning Part 4 (Week of September 11)
Week 6. READ: Mark 10:1-16
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The ethics of discipleship is explored in part in Mark 10:1-31. This section has the makings of a teaching manual or catechism. The topics in these verses include discipleship in marriage (vv. 2-10), discipleship and children (vv. 13-16) and discipleship wealth and possessions (vv. 17-31, the week 7 study).
The...
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05Sep 2017
Bible Study “The beginning, the end” Part 4 (Week of September 3)
Week 5. READ: Mark 9:38-50
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What do we do when someone else is doing the very same thing we are doing? In the secular world this is referred to as competition. The church has thought at times that one local church competes for worshipers or members with other area churches. Jesus is not in...
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18Aug 2017
Bible Study “The beginning, the end” Part 4 (Week of August 20)
Week 4. READ: Mark 9:30-37
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The disciples of Jesus argued about who was the “greatest.” Mohammad Ali famously said: “I am the greatest.” John Lenin of the Beatles said on March 4, 1966: Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're...
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14Aug 2017
Bible Study “The end, the beginning” Part 4 (For the week of August 13)
Week 3. READ: Mark 9:14-29
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Upon closer review, there is a lot of stuff to unpack in this story. Let’s get at it. When Jesus, Peter, James and John returned from their not-so-routine trip to the mountain, they found the other nine disciples embroiled in a conflict with some religious leaders. A crowd had...
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10Aug 2017
Bible Study “The end, the beginning” Part 4 (week of August 6)
Week 2. READ: Mark 9:2-13
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As we move to a new scene in the Jesus narrative, there is an abrupt shift of pace. The introduction to this story adds a new twist saying it is six days later. Bible scholars offer a variety of opinions on the origin of this story most of which include...
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08Aug 2017
Bible Study “The End & Back Again: to the beginning” (Part 4) Week of July 23
The End & Back Again: to the beginning
Returning to the Journey with Jesus in Mark’s Gospel: Part 4
Week 1. READ: Mark 8:1-38
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Feeding of the Four Thousand 8:1-10
Welcome to the heart of the gospel found in chapter 8. Mark uses reoccurring stories to tie his gospel together. This pattern is used by Mark in knitting...
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17Jul 2017
Bible Study (Week 8) “The end, the beginning” Part 3 Week of July 16
Week 8: READ: Mark 7:24-37
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There is an abrupt scene change as Jesus set course to leave Galilee and head to the gentile region of Phoenicia. This appears to be a solitary trip for Jesus and there is no indication that his disciples are anywhere to be seen. Why did Jesus up and leave Galilee...
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17Jul 2017
Bible Study (Week 7) “The end, the beginning” Part 3 Week of July 9
Week 7: READ: Mark 7:1-23
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As the next act begins, the mood has changed from the frenzy of the crowds wanting to touch Jesus as well as the throngs of people hauling their sick on mats so he could touch and heal them. This scene opens up with the religious leaders plotting against Jesus. They...
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07Jul 2017
Bible Study (Week 6) “The end, the beginning” Part 3 Week of July 2
Week 6: READ: Mark 6:30-56
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Do you remember a time when you did something on a “shoestring?” For those of you too young to be familiar with this saying, it refers to having fun or doing a project around your home for just a few dollars. It is quite amazing how far a couple hundred...
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