Mark 1:16-20 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
Big idea: God's calling versus Vocation…. Our world can fixate greatly on our education/vocation for our lives and for the lives of those we love. However, the embracing of God's calling on our lives may not always be our focus. When we embrace God's calling on our lives our vocation, as well as all areas of our lives, falls into place. But for areas of our lives to fall into place we need to first here from God 'Where are you calling me?' Scriptures for Discussion: Matthew 16:24 John 15:16-17 Matthew 6:33 Discussion Points: Mark 1:17 Jesus calls his disciples to be fishers of men, an assignment they will fulfill as they have continual fellowship with him and carry out the mission that Jesus gives them (3:14). Jesus’ words recall Jer. 16:15–17, where “fishers” and “hunters” of men will call people back from idols to God after judgment has occurred. This call happens in a context of purification (Jer. 16:17) and will include Gentiles (Jer. 16:19). -What strikes you about Jesus' way he engages with Simon and Andrew? -What strikes you about Simon and Andrew's response to Jesus? Mark 1:20 they left their father … with the hired servants. Several of Jesus’ first disciples were not poor but were self-employed fishermen or, as in this case (James and John), were part of a family business. Levi (2:14) was a fairly well-to-do tax collector. -How would you respond if you were in Simon and Andrew's shoes? Closing Commentary: (From Charles Spurgeon) The gospel minister is like the fisherman with a net. I have sometimes heard the comparison drawn as though the gospel fisherman had a hook and a line, which he has not. His business is not to entice a fish to swallow his bait but to cast the net all round him, and lift him, by his grace, out of the element in which he lies in sin, into the boat where Christ still sits, as he sat, in the olden days, in the boat on the sea of Galilee. To shut the sinner up to faith in Jesus Christ, — that is the main work of the true gospel fisherman. How can we as a church cast wide our nets with the Gospel? What about our community groups? What about our families?
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Community Group Discussion Guide Text: Mark 1:14,15 (NASB) 14 Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The Big Idea: Repentance is often cast as being negative; however, repentance is actually a very positive step that brings about freedom, life and future hope. Repentance cannot be uncoupled from the Gospel message and has, in fact, been a part of the Biblical narrative from the beginning, contained in both the Old and New testaments and emphasized by Jesus himself. We should not try to avoid the message of repentance but should instead look deeper into the true meaning of it and how it leads us to a saving faith.
Cross References: Luke 4:14-20 (NASB) 14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. 15 And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. 16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17 And the [e]book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the [f]book and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, 19 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.” 20 And He closed the [g]book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your [h]hearing.” Community Group Discussion Guide/Temptation of Jesus Text: Mark 1:9-11 (NASB) 12 And immediately the Spirit *brought Him out into the wilderness. 13 And He was in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving Him.
Big Idea: Although the Gospel of Mark does not give us the details of Christ’s Temptation, we know that this experience was divinely appointed by God as Jesus is being led by the Holy Spirit. This is also an affirmation of Christ’s humanity. God cannot be tempted, but the human side of Christ was not immune from the attempts of the Enemy. This truly makes Jesus into an advocate who understands “us.” Read: Hebrews 4:14-16 (NASB) 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Read: Matthew 4:1-11 (NASB) 1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" 5 Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and *said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'" 8 Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus *said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
Big Idea: Jesus steps onto the scene in a way that would have went unnoticed. He came from Nazareth in Galilee without a parade or entourage with Him. Humbly He enters into the narrative. Then to make it even more head scratching, He is baptized by a man that has been baptizing and preaching repentance to groups of sinners! The difference between the men who came to John and Jesus is revealed when the heavens open, the Spirit descends and the Father speaks. This is no ordinary man, but He is, as John declares: 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!'
Text: Mark 1:9-11 (NASB) 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; 11 and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Read: Mark 1:9- In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 1. What kind of days was Jesus stepping into? What was taking place in Israel during this time? 2. Why do you think God pre-ordained that the Messiah would come from Galilee and not some highly esteemed place? 3. What does this say about our God that He would send His Son to dwell among those He created, yet not be esteemed? Read: Mark 1:10 And immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon Him; 1. John's baptism was called a baptism of repentance. The record in Luke 3 describes people coming to him that have need of repentance for the evil deeds they have done. Yet, Jesus is baptized by the same man in the same waters. Did Jesus have need to repent? Why was He baptized by John if He had no sin? 2. In your eyes, how important is the baptism of Jesus by John? What did it do or accomplish? 3. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit descending upon Jesus? Did Jesus have the Holy Spirit before the Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove? Read Mark 1:11 and a voice came from the heavens: “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” 1. This is the first time we see the complete trinitarian God on display. What was the main focus of both the dove (Holy Spirit) and the Father? 2. What does the Father mean when He says "in You I am well pleased."? |
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