Mark 4:21-25 - Show time!

The 'reveal' is something we get very excited about when it's a magic trick or a lengthy TV drama series but what about when it's our own lives?  Jesus tells a swift parable about the fact that he's come to shed light on life itself... 

Mark 4:21-25

Go back and read it a couple of times and let it sink in.  Try and figure out what Jesus means by this.

I think Jesus is saying that he's come to shed light on life and reveal truth to people that was previously a mystery to them.  He's come to show people what life is really all about and to invite them into it - into God's kingdom family.  In the story of the sower immediately before this, Jesus has been teaching about what it takes to decide to follow and keep following him and after this lamp illustration he goes on to teach about his kingdom family and what it's like.  So he's gearing up to this by explaining that he's here to make known things that were previously hidden - to shine light on things that were previously in the dark.

Jesus challenges his hearers to consider carefully what he says and to consider their response too.  If they hear his words and continue to live small lives without God, they'll get little back.  In fact, Jesus warns everyone like this that they'll get less than nothing.  But to those who consider Jesus' words and respond in faith, Jesus promises much in return.

So have you considered carefully the words of Jesus yet and made your response?  Have you asked all your questions?  How's it going?  And if you're already follower of Jesus, how much are you passing on Jesus' love, light and teaching to others so they can do the same?  It's still show time!


Mark blog

Make it stop


Questions to consider...
  1. What are the impacts of bullying, prejudice and rejection in your school that you know about?
  2. What might be the impacts you don't know about?
  3. The Bible (in Isaiah 53:3) says Jesus knows exactly what it's like to suffer rejection.  Why would he allow himself to feel like that?
  4. How can you stand with those who feel alone or rejected?  What hope is there for those who feel this way?  Psalm 121:1-2.
A Prayer...
God please help see that bulling, prejudice and rejection really are killers and that we can stand against them.  Please help us not to hate those who are different from us, either by our action or inaction but rather to care for and value all life, including our own.  Amen.

Outdoors


Questions to consider...
  1. What's so good about the outdoors and experiencing nature?  Why do people enjoy it?
  2. How important is it to you to make the most of opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy it?
  3. What does Psalm 19:1-2 in the Bible suggest that we can learn from nature?
A prayer...
God, with all the comfort, convenience and entertainment modern technology brings, help us not to miss out on the natural playground you've given us to enjoy and help us to see your power in all of it too.  Amen.

58

58 trailer

58 is a film that raises some big questions for us...
  1. What do we know about extreme poverty?
  2. Is it really possible to see it end?
  3. What can we do to help end it?
  4. Will we do anything at all?
The film's called 58 because of Isaiah 58 in the Bible and it challenges us to live it out.  Have a look at the chapter and imagine what it would be like if we started living like this.  

A prayer
Lord, please help us to learn more about the reality of extreme poverty and to do everything we can about it.  At the very least, help us to each do something meaningful to contribute to stopping it.  Amen!

Christian

What is a Christian?  What would would you say makes someone a Christian?  Why?

God doesn't want the meaningless rituals.  He wants our hearts.
Colossians 1:15-23 (The Message version)

A Christian is someone who...
  • Recognises Jesus (v15-20).  Christianity is not about religion - it's about a person - it's about Christ.  How is Jesus described here?  How true do you think the description is and how can you be sure?
  • Trusts and follows Jesus and is friends with God (v21-23).  What do these verses tell us about what a Christian really is?  Could this describe YOU?  How would you feel if your relationship with God could be described in this way?
I heard a conversation today where someone was asked if they were a Christian and they hesitated and said, 'Um, well I was christened and I used to go to church.'  They were trying their best to answer the question but they clearly weren't sure what a Christian actually is and the best they could come up with was about religious traditions.

I was recently involved in surveying about 180 people about Jesus and only 1% thought that Jesus was all about religion.  Why is it that so many people think being a Christian is about being religious when nearly everyone recognises that Jesus wasn't?

Someone once said, 'Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald's makes you a hamburger!'  They're right.  Going to church, reading the Bible, praying, singing worship songs - all of these can be great but none of them make you a Christian. 

Christianity is not about religion or about traditions.  It's about a personal relationship with God through Jesus.  It's about believing that Jesus is who he says he is (God!) and trusting him for forgiveness, friendship with God, life to the full and life forever.  Rob Bell (the guy from the video) is right.  God wants our hearts!

Why not take some time to check out 2 ways to live - the choice we all face and respond?

Lecrae music video - Don't waste your life

Lecrae

A 10-minute video this time - of a powerful story.  Make yourselves comfortable...


"I just couldn't wrap my head around this being true - this being real...  For me, church wasn't about God.  It wasn't for me.  It was probably not real - probably something people just use as a crutch."

"My car flipped over again and again.  The roof caved in, the windshield caved in, no seatbelt, glass everywhere, my glasses that I had on were molded into the frame of the car... and I didn't have a scratch!"

"I've learned to stay close to my source of significance, to my source of worth: to God."

Questions to consider
  1. What do think of Lecrae's story?
  2. What would you ask about it?
  3. What do you think of Romans 8:37?
  4. What's impact could all this have on your story? 
A prayer
God, thank you for Lecrae's story.  Help us to consider the journey we're on and to consider our next step forward.  Please guide us into the truth about you.  Amen!

More Lecrae
Lecrae music video - Don't waste your life
Album trailer