WINTER LEADER GUIDE

Transcription

1 WINTER LEADER GUIDE JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING MADE FOR SOMETHING MORE 3 6/26/17 3:12 PM

2 LEADING SOMEONE TO THE GREATEST DECISION OF ALL One of the great joys of leading a group in Bible study is seeing group members deepen their walk with Christ. Everyone s walk with Christ begins with an initial decision to follow Him in repentance and faith. People may be in your group who have not made that decision yet. Take advantage of your time with them to talk about becoming a Christian. As you tell your own story about coming to Christ, share these key truths: 1. We are all sinners, and each of us needs to acknowledge before God that we are sinners. That acknowledgement involves repentance, which is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Refer to Romans 3:23; 6:23; and Acts 3: The only way a person can receive the gift of forgiveness is by faith in Jesus as God s Son. Use verses like Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, and John 14:6 when talking about faith in Christ. 3. Confessing your faith in Jesus Christ means confessing Him as Savior and Lord. Share Romans 10:9-10,13. Invite the person to pray a prayer similar to this: Dear God, I know I am a sinner and have rebelled against You in many ways. I believe Jesus died for my sin and only through faith in His death and resurrection can I be forgiven. I now turn from my sin and ask Jesus to come into my life as my Savior and Lord. From this day forward, I will choose to follow Jesus. Thank You, Lord, for loving me and for forgiving me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. A Special Note about Jesus Saves (p. 48). As your group studies and discusses the invitations Andrew extended to others to meet Jesus, use it as an opportunity to lead unsaved group members to faith in Christ. Use Good News on the inside front cover of the Personal Study Guide to connect Jesus Saves with each member s own need to trust Christ and receive His gift of salvation. The inside cover is a guide for understanding how Jesus acts as the Great Physician to forgive and give us eternal life. 4 6/26/17 3:12 PM

3 CONTENTS Don t Miss This! A Word from Our Team Using Bible Studies for Life... 6 The Attributes of Discipleship Article: 4 Excuses for Not Enrolling People Jesus Changes Everything SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF.... Introduction December 3 Session 1 Jesus Calls December 10 Session 2 Jesus Teaches December 17 Session 3 Jesus Rules December 24 Session 4 Jesus Saves December 31 Session 5 Jesus Heals January 7 Session 6 Jesus Provides January 14 Session 7 Jesus Corrects Article: Honor and Shame in the First Century Article: 4 Ways to Facilitate Discussion Article: See Your Group s Bible Study Through the Eyes of a Guest Made for Something More... Introduction January 21 Session 1 I Am Wonderfully Made January 28 Session 2 I Am a Child of the King February 4 Session 3 I Am a Minister February 11 Session 4 I Am a Priest Article: Living Stones: What Did Peter Mean? February 18 Session 5 I Am Just Passing Through February 25 Session 6 I Am a Light Coming in Spring BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 3 3 6/26/17 3:11 PM

4 Don t miss this! Social Media Connect with a community of Bible Studies for Life users. Post responses to questions, share teaching ideas, and link to great blog content. Get instant updates about new articles, giveaways, and Commentary Dig deeper into Scripture with the The Herschel Hobbs Commentary. It features in-depth Bible exposition on the passages studied in this book. Blog Every week, you ll find helpful add-ons and additional suggestions in our Leader Extra posts. You ll also find teaching tips, links to magazine articles, insights from our editorial team, and sermon outlines to complement every session. BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra Bob Bunn wrote the commentary for Jesus Changes Everything. Bob currently serves as an editorial director at Ramsey Solutions in Brentwood, Tennessee. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism, along with a Master of Divinity and a doctorate in Christian education and leadership from Southern Seminary. He and his wife, Mary, have three children and are active members of Nashville First Baptist Church. When he s not writing, Bob enjoys reading, teaching, and trivia contests. Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide Volume 5, Number 2 Winter ERIC GEIGER Vice President, Church Resources LYNN H. PRYOR Team Leader CHRIS JOHNSON Content Editor KEN BRADDY Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies MICHAEL KELLEY Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Content Editor by to chris.johnson@lifeway.com or mail to: Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the web at Printed in the United States of America. Bible Studies for Life: Senior Adults Leader Guide (ISSN: ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay. This Leader Guide is designed for leaders of senior adults ages 70 and up. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter, and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit For ordering or inquiries, visit call (800) , or write LifeWay Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB ), Copyright 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. E. Coye Still, who wrote the commentary for Made for Something More, pastors the University Hills Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Furman University (B.A.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). Coye and his wife, Sherra, are former International Mission Board representatives in Southeast Asia. They have five children and enjoy sports. 4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 4 6/26/17 3:11 PM

5 A Word from Our Team The Bible Studies for Life Team Following Jesus doesn t happen in a vacuum. The road of Christianity is lived out in real time and in real life, dealing with real situations and real people. As Christians, we know Jesus has changed us on the inside. We are made brand new because of the gospel, and if we are truly new, we will always find new ways to apply that new life in our homes, workplaces, and other relationships. In this edition of Bible Studies for Life, you and your group will encounter Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, as you hear straight from the Lord and see how, indeed, Jesus Changes Everything. You ll also have the opportunity in the second study to reaffirm the fact that, as Christians, we have been Made for Something More. This study will help you see six traits that clearly identify a person who is abiding in Jesus day by day. As always, we are praying for you as you walk through God s Word using Bible Studies for Life. Michael Kelley Director, Groups BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 5 5 6/26/17 3:11 PM

6 USING BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE Invite the Holy Spirit s Guidance Because God is the guide for your study, invite Him to show you how to be the best facilitator for your group. Read the Bible passage several times with the Holy Spirit showing you its meaning and application. Personal Study Guide Then read the Personal Study Guide. Its content provides the foundation and direction for the Bible discussion and study by your group. Leader Guide Follow the simple directives in the group plan, which will guide you in engaging your group in discussion around the Bible passage. Read the commentary to help you understand the passage. Share insights from the commentary as needed during the group discussion. Leader Pack The optional Leader Pack is designed to enhance the group experience, especially for visual learners. Pull in the Leader Pack items as referenced in the group plan. The Leader Pack also includes a CD-ROM with: > > JPEG files of the two main study images that you can use with any presentation software (i.e., PowerPoint). Promote the study by placing these images into an announcement slideshow or display the images during the sessions to reinforce the study topic. > > PDF file of each pack item, so you can create multiple posters. During your session, display the image on a screen using any presentation software, or post the image on social media to promote the study. > > Sample Twitter and messages to post prior to your Bible study time in order to raise awareness and promote the session topic. > > Promotional videos to introduce the six-session studies. > > > > Biblical Illustrator articles that allow you to go deeper in your study. An electronic version of the group plans that you can customize and print. 6 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 6 6/26/17 3:11 PM

7 Additional Ideas Additional discussion questions and teaching suggestions for leaders are available online at You ll also find all the magazine articles we mention in this study guide. Prepare Your Group Members Encourage your group members to read the Personal Study Guide prior to the group meeting. (Some group members will prefer to read it after the meeting as a way to follow up and reflect.) Encourage them to join the conversation with others on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/BibleStudiesforLife) or on Twitter (@BibleMeetsLife). For Those Who Want to Go Deeper The Advanced Bible Study is written for group members who desire more extensive commentary. It includes CSB-based exposition of each session s Scripture passage, an examination of key words, an introduction to the setting of the passage and biblical life and times, questions to guide the study, and interactive responses to help readers apply God s truths to their lives today. The Herschel Hobbs Commentary is designed specifically for leaders and provides a comprehensive exposition of each session s Scripture passage. Specific attention is called to items in the biblical text that readers would miss without a commentary. This commentary is based on the King James Version but interacts with all major English translations. Each quarter, Biblical Illustrator offers in-depth background information on Bible customs, history, culture, archaeology, and word studies through vivid photography, engaging maps and graphics, and lesson-targeted articles. You can subscribe to Biblical Illustrator by going to lifeway.com/biblical illustrator or by calling Forty additional articles (in PDF form) that support this quarter s Bible studies are available for $3.00 per bundle at lifeway.com/biblical illustrator. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 7 7 6/26/17 3:11 PM

8 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 8 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 8 6/26/17 3:11 PM

9 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 9 9 6/26/17 3:11 PM

10 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS 10 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 10 6/26/17 3:11 PM

11 MY GROUP S PRAYER REQUESTS BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE /26/17 3:11 PM

12 THE ATTRIBUTES OF DISCIPLESHIP How do you measure discipleship? Research conducted by LifeWay revealed eight factors that are consistently present in the lives of believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. These attributes of discipleship form the foundation for the scope and sequence of studies used in Bible Studies for Life. By regularly engaging these studies, your group will experience an intentional plan for discipleship in the following eight ways: Bible Engagement. Transformation can be recognized when our mind is sharpened by the Bible, our perspective is shaped by the Bible, and our actions are directed by the Bible. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Obeying God and Denying Self. Discipleship is the process of obedience to one who is in authority over you. Transformation can be seen when we progressively set aside earthly delights for kingdom priorities. Then he said to them all, If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me (Luke 9:23). Serving God and Others. Transformation is evident when personal needs and even dreams are set aside for the needs we see in others. And the King will answer them, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matt. 25:40). Sharing Christ. Even as we need to live out the effects of the gospel, maturing believers know speaking about the message is a necessity. Transformation is evident when we talk about the source of it. But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Pet. 3:15). Exercising Faith. Transformation is seen in believers when risk-aversion is set aside and our lives are characterized by faithful obedience to God s will. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:19b-20). Seeking God. Transformation is seen when our desire is to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. See page 13 for more details. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matt. 6:33). Building Relationships. Our faith is personal but it is not intended to be private. Our horizontal relationships should develop just as our vertical relationship with God does. Transformation is occurring when relational maturity is evident in our lives. They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42). Unashamed. Transformation is evident when a believer is unashamed in presenting his or her own life as being aligned with Christ. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek (Rom. 1:16). 12 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 12 6/26/17 3:11 PM

13 SEEKING GOD BY PHILIP NATION Do you ever find yourself just going through the motions? We can do so much in an auto-pilot kind of mode; the daily commute, working at a desk, and chores around the house. But how we live for Christ and worship Him should never be something that we find in this category. In the Transformational Discipleship research, growing disciples firmly disagreed with the idea that worship is something we can do by just going through the motions. Rather, they intentionally engage in activities like congregational worship, setting aside time for prayer, and even memorizing scripture. Jesus taught us, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (Matt. 6:33). We become disciples of Christ because we intend to follow Jesus and become like Him. The desire does not end when we cross over the threshold of faith and gain salvation. Growing disciples will continually seek after God because of their love for Him and their commitment to become more like Jesus. We should have a continuous hunger for knowing Christ. The passion we have for Jesus is referred to in Scripture as our first love God commands believers to return to it. Maturing disciples prioritize their faith as the guiding principle for living. Their personal commitment to Jesus Christ for salvation remains vitally important throughout their life. Whenever we find ourselves straying from it, then the call to return to the love you had at first is a beautiful reminder. In the research, growing believers gave a strong agreement to the statement, One of the main reasons I live my life the way I do is to please and honor God. They don t just think about what God might want from them. These believers actively praise God for His previous work in their lives and chase after what He wants next for them. We see transformation when we desire to know God more deeply and experience His work more fully. The idea of seeking God is not only about knowing a proverbial playbook for life. It is that we seek Him first. Then, we will do His work naturally in and through our lives. If we do not care properly for our spiritual lives, we may allow them to deteriorate into simply consuming religious goods and services from a congregation. Transformational discipleship presses us to something greater. Rather than just consuming spiritual stuff, we desire to know God intimately. As you press into your study of the Word and begin to truly live out your faith, keep your focus on Jesus and His great love for you. Dr. Philip Nation is the pastor of First Baptist Church of Bradenton, Florida and is the author of Habits for Our Holiness. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE /26/17 3:11 PM

14 4 EXCUSES FOR NOT ENROLLING PEOPLE IN YOUR CLASS BY DWAYNE MCCRARY Here are the four excuses I hear most often for why churches do not practice enrollment. You re Just Padding the Numbers The truth is we are padding the numbers. We will have people on the class list that have never attended the group and may never attend the group. But does that change the fact that these are real people? Isn t every name the name of a real person who has at least expressed a desire to be part of a Bible study group? Enrolling someone in a Bible study gets us one step closer to seeing them in Bible study. Enrollment dictates attendance. 14 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 14 6/26/17 3:11 PM

15 If you are not planning on actively attempting to enroll people in your Bible study group, then what plan do you have for reaching your neighbors? How has that plan been working? Enrollment Hurts the Attendance Percentage This excuse is a cousin to the first one. You will never have 100 percent attendance in a group that practices open enrollment. You will have lost people on the class list, and you will have people who have trouble finding some of the Old Testament books. But everyone present? Nope. I want everyone on the class list to be there as well, but I also want to reach people with the gospel. If I have to pick one, then reaching people had better win that debate every time. Side note: in most cases, we dropped them from our class list is another way of saying we don t want to be held responsible for those we are unwilling to seek. We Don t Have Any Guests in Our Worship Service Could it be that the reason you don t have guests in worship is they know they aren t welcome until after they attend? If we offered to enroll a person in a Bible study group before they attend, do you think it might raise the possibility that they will attend a worship service as well? This excuse points to a commonly accepted practice: attending a worship service is the appropriate first step in becoming a part of a church. That sounds good, but the truth is that people are looking for safe places where they can develop meaningful relationships, and that rarely happens in a worship service. What if Sunday School or whatever you call your Bible study groups that meet on a regular basis before or after a worship service became the first step? Would we spend time worrying about what happens to a person after they join our church? Probably not, because they are already connected to other believers through a Bible study group. Our Class Is Already Too Large First of all, too large for what? To add more people? To keep up with what you already have? The bottom line is you need smaller groups and more of them. And you need to be looking to start more smaller new groups. I say this for practical purposes as a teacher I teach two Bible study groups weekly and have helped start three new groups over the past five years. I can make a great presentation to a group of fifty, but I can t really teach to their known needs. I am not capable of understanding and accounting for fifty different and unique need sets. But twelve I can manage and I have room for a few more. I am a better teacher with a smaller group. G. Dwayne McCrary is a project team leader for ongoing adult Bible study resources at LifeWay. He also teaches an adult group and preschool group every Sunday in the church he attends. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE /26/17 3:11 PM

16 JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING /26/17 3:11 PM

17 A good man. A crazy person. A prophet. The Son of God. You ll often get a strong response if you talk to others about Jesus. Some will tell you they already know Him; some may say they want nothing to do with what you re trying to say. Some might cry when hearing about Him; others may see it as an opportunity to debate. Jesus has been a polarizing figure in history. Mountains of opinions fill the landscape about who Jesus is and why He s worth talking about in the first place. Jesus name may change the tone of a conversation, but His actions changed the world. The Gospel of Mark was most likely dictated to Mark by one of Jesus disciples Peter. Since Peter was a man of action, his account of Jesus life is a fast-paced examination of the things Jesus did. As we look in the opening chapters of the Gospel of Mark, we will arrive at an incredible conclusion: Jesus changes everything. ROBBY GALLATY Robby is the pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN, and is passionate about disciplemaking. He lives in Hendersonville with his wife, Kandi, and two sons. Robby is the author of several books, including The Forgotten Jesus: How Western Christians Should Follow an Eastern Rabbi /26/17 3:11 PM

18 GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes GUIDE: Over the next seven weeks we will look at what happens when individuals encounter Jesus. Invite members to turn to page 3 in the Personal Study Guide (PSG) and review session titles. LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 1: Jesus Changes Everything to introduce the major theme of this study and the focus of each session. SESSION 1 JESUS CALLS The Point Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. The Bible Meets Life Social media gives us the opportunity to follow individuals and groups. By following them, we can see into their lives or know what they re promoting but we can do so only from a distance. Jesus invites us to follow Him in a far more intimate way. Following Jesus will require us to change directions, but the journey we take with Him leads us to abundant and eternal life. The Passage Mark 1:14-20 DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture on PSG page 12 and ask Question #1: What great adventure is on your bucket list? GUIDE: Reinforce The Point on PSG page 13: Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. The Setting From the very first chapter, Mark s Gospel is a fast-moving summary of Jesus earthly ministry. A brief introduction to the ministry of John the Baptist (Mark 1:1 8) leads directly into his baptism of Jesus (vv. 9 11). Mark then provided a summary of Jesus temptation in the wilderness (vv ). Using an economy of words, the stage is set. The focus fully moves from John to Jesus and Jesus ministry of calling people including His first disciples to follow Him. 18 Session /26/17 3:11 PM

19 Mark 1: After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! KEY WORDS: Kingdom of God (v. 15) The kingdom is not an earthly domain, but a spiritual realm operating under the authority of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 1 Verse 14. Life can be full of adventures. Whatever our individual adventures might look like, each of them has one common characteristic: participation. No person ever experienced an adventure without taking that initial step to begin the journey. The same was true for Jesus first disciples. To embark on their adventure, they needed to hear Christ s call and respond. 2 Mark opened his Gospel with a short explanation of who John the Baptist was and what His ministry was like. He also highlighted John s connection with Jesus through Jesus baptism. Other Gospel writers elaborated on these events, but for Mark, John s role in the story was to set the context for Jesus work and for the calling of Jesus first disciples. For example, instead of explaining the details of John the Baptist s arrest, Mark simply used it as a way to mark time specifically, when Jesus began His ministry in the region of Galilee: after John was arrested. Mark would go into greater detail on John s arrest and execution later (Mark 6:14 29). His reference to John s arrest in chapter 1 also served to demonstrate that John s time on the stage was coming to an end, while Jesus was beginning to take prominence. As John the Baptist himself would explain, He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). Galilee was located in the northern part of Israel, bounded on the west by Phoenicia (Tyre) and on the east by the Sea of Galilee, with the provinces of Gaulantis to the northeast and the Decapolis to the southeast. Samaria separated Galilee from Judea in the southern reaches of Israel. Galilee had a larger Gentile population than Judea, with over half of Galilee s inhabitants being made up of Gentiles. More importantly, Galilee was Jesus home. He had been raised in the Galilean town of Nazareth, so much of His early ministry was done in familiar territory. STUDY THE BIBLE Mark 1: minutes GUIDE: Refer group members to The Bible Meets Life on PSG page 13 about the friend who loved trains. His friend s father created an experience that was a life changing adventure. Jesus called four fishermen to follow Him on the adventure of a lifetime, and He invites us to do the same. SUMMARIZE: Refer to Bible Commentary 1 to point out that participation is the initial step of every adventure. SUMMARIZE: Before reading the passage, set the context by summarizing the information in The Setting on page 18. READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Mark 1: SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 to provide background on the reference to John and the geographical location of the Sea of Galilee as the setting of this context. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF DECEMBER /26/17 3:11 PM

20 THE POINT Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 to give further explanation to the term good news which had Messianic implications and was a short hand way of indicating the kingdom of God. GUIDE: Use KEY WORDS on page 19 (PSG, p. 14) to provide insight on the phrase kingdom of God. GUIDE: Refer members to three key truths (PSG, p. 15) about the kingdom of God. 1. The kingdom of God is in Christ. Jesus embodies the kingdom, with full authority as King. 2. The kingdom of God is powerful and greater than any other kingdom. 3. We can participate in that powerful kingdom today. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 on this page and page 21 to explain the meaning of the phrase the time is fulfilled and to the result of God s perfect timing: the kingdom of God has come near. 3 In his typical fashion, Mark emphasized not just Jesus location, but His activity proclaiming the good news of God. The Greek word for good news is euangelion and can also be translated as gospel. In first-century Jewish culture, the gospel Jesus proclaimed would have had definite messianic implications. The prophet Isaiah identified the Messiah as the One who would proclaim good news to the poor, along with bringing healing and freedom (Isa. 61:1). Jesus applied this passage in Isaiah to Himself in the synagogue at Nazareth, an incident which led to His rejection by the people of His hometown (Luke 4:16 30). Jesus proclamation was the good news of God. The good news of God is a shorthand way of indicating the kingdom of God 1 (see Mark 1:15). The good news was that God, the Creator of the world, was now breaking into the world as He had never done before. After some four centuries of silence, God was not just speaking to His people again. He had taken on flesh and blood and become one of them through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. This proved to be controversial as Jesus ministry continued, when those in authority reacted negatively to His claims to be both the Messiah and God in the flesh. 4 Verse 15. Jesus proclamation included three parts. First, He announced, the time is fulfilled. The Greek word for time (kairos) was used to indicate the proper or favorable time for something to happen. It also reflected a sense of significance, rather than simply marking the passing of time God was about to act decisively by bringing redemption and restoration to his people through his servant, Jesus. 2 In Jewish thought, the time related to the coming of the Messiah, so again Jesus audience would have understood His statement to have had messianic implications. But the political and national situation of Israel in the first century caused most Jews to misinterpret the role of the Messiah. Rather than the Suffering Servant described in passages like Isaiah 53, they looked for a Messiah who would be a powerful political leader who would defeat all of Israel s enemies. Living under Roman rule and occupation, the idea of a Messiah who would vanquish the Roman Empire and set up a new Jewish kingdom like that of the glory days of Israel under King David and King Solomon was incredibly appealing, though such hopes and expectations were incorrect. 20 Session /26/17 3:11 PM

21 The concept of the time also indicated that the coming of the Messiah was all about God s plan. The coming of the Messiah was happening in accordance with God s timing, and it occurred according to His will. As Paul later told the believers in Galatia, God acted when the time came to completion (Gal. 4:4). The second part of Jesus message explained the result of God s perfect timing: the kingdom of God has come near. Mark was fond of the phrase the kingdom of God, using it 14 times in his Gospel. Again, while many first-century Jews were looking for a Messiah who would establish a physical, political kingdom, God s plan for the Messiah went in a different direction the kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom. The kingdom of God is the reign of God over those who have in their hearts submitted to His rule. Its citizens are identified solely by their allegiance to the Christ, God s Messiah. However, at Christ s second coming, He will establish a physical kingdom for His people throughout the entire world (Rev. 11:15; 21:1 5). The kingdom had come near because the Messiah and King of the kingdom had come. The kingdom was near because Jesus was near. In the prologue of his Gospel, John wrote that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God had always been close to His people even when they rebelled against Him but now He had become one of them. In His sovereignty, God broke into human history to redeem His people through the incarnation of Jesus the Messiah and His sacrifice at the cross! 5 The final element of Jesus core message demanded a response to the arrival of the kingdom of God. Jesus challenged His audience to repent and believe the good news! This aspect of Jesus message echoed what John the Baptist had been preaching before Him (Mark 1:4), but Jesus added an emphasis on faith. The only way to enter God s kingdom is to repent of one s sins and believe in the good news of the kingdom. Repentance requires a complete change of direction an about-face that moves one toward God rather than away from Him. This change is rooted in belief in God s Messiah Jesus Christ and marks the starting line for the great adventure Jesus calls us to begin. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 15, to the meaning of repentance: Repentance is turning from something and toward something else. It s what happens when we recognize we ve been heading in the wrong direction and we correct our course toward the Lord. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 5 to further explain the term repentance. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 16): How should we understand the connection between repentance and belief in the Christian life? DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 17): How has the gospel been good news in your life? (Alternate: How can you demonstrate the reality of the kingdom of God in your daily life?) TRANSITION: Next we will see that, even as Jesus calls us to repent and believe, He also calls us to follow Him /26/17 3:11 PM

22 THE POINT Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. STUDY THE BIBLE Mark 1:16-20 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Mark 1: minutes GUIDE: Use Pack Item 2: Map of Jesus Life, to give group members a look at the area where Jesus grew up and spent a large portion of His public ministry. Encourage group members to share their reactions to the landscape. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 6 to give more information about the region and the fishermen who worked there. Mark 1: As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon s brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. 17 Follow me, Jesus told them, and I will make you fish for people. 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. 6 Verses Jesus was on the move as He shared the good news of the kingdom. Coming to Galilee, He brought His message to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Gennesaret (Luke 5:1) and the Sea of Tiberias (John 6:1; 21:1). Located on the eastern border of Galilee near the foot of a mountain range that provided a constant source of fresh water, the Sea of Galilee is actually a lake measuring thirteen miles (north to south) by eight miles (east to west). The land surrounding the lake had a thriving economy. The Sea of Galilee provided a solid livelihood for fishermen who lived in the many villages on its shores. In this setting, Jesus began the process of bringing together a group who would serve as His messengers. They would hear the message of the kingdom, learn how to live it out, and share it with others. This training would allow Jesus followers to spread the gospel ( the good news, Mark 1:14 15) around the known world. 7 Among the commercial fishermen in the region were Simon also known as Peter and his brother, Andrew. The Gospel of John notes that Andrew at first had been a follower of John the Baptist, but had become a follower of Jesus. In turn, he had told his brother Simon about his experience with Jesus and introduced him to the Messiah (John 1:35 42). 8 Mark didn t record previous questions or conversations between the Messiah and these two fishermen. 22 Session /26/17 3:11 PM

23 Instead, true to form, he dove straight into Jesus call: Follow me. The depth of meaning behind Jesus invitation to discipleship is enormous. The idea is that of responding to a summons, attachment to a person, acceptance of authority, and imitation of example. The implication of continuation and pursuing a goal also is included. 3 The call to follow Jesus meant more than simply walking alongside Him or the creation of a teacher-pupil relationship. Discipleship always demands much more than that. Jesus was calling His disciples to surrender and submission. By following Him, they would be putting their own desires on the back burner in order to serve their new Master without distraction. His mission would become their mission. Moving forward, they would be immersed in His plan. In Luke 9:57 62, Jesus took a similar all or nothing approach with a trio of would-be followers. The men sought to follow Him, but in each case something was holding them back from fully committing to Jesus. Jesus challenged them to understand the complete surrender required to follow Him. Later in Mark s Gospel, Jesus laid out His expectations in no uncertain terms. True disciples follow Him only after denying themselves and taking up their crosses (Mark 8:34 38). So, Jesus invitation to Peter and Andrew was not one of comfort and security. It was figuratively and literally an invitation to die for Him. This invitation also came with a promise I will make you fish for people. While they might hang up their nets, following Jesus would transform their fishing experience. They would get the chance to be His witnesses and introduce people to the kingdom of God. The Old Testament prophets used the fishing metaphor to describe the gathering of people for God s judgment. Jesus used the metaphor of fishing to explain how He would use His disciples to pull people from the judgment of eternal condemnation and into the kingdom of God. This was an urgent task that required an urgent response of commitment. 4 It was also one of the key steps in the entire adventure. 9 Verse 18. The response of the fishermen was quick and decisive. Immediately they left their nets and followed him. Mark used the word immediately throughout his Gospel to underscore pace. But here it also reveals the compelling nature of Jesus call and the devotion of His disciples. [Note: Depth of commitment is not the same thing as depth of understanding. While the disciples demonstrated a deep commitment to Jesus by immediately leaving the lives they had known in order to follow Him when Jesus called, the Gospel accounts demonstrate that the disciples SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 7 to provide background about Simon and Andrew. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG pages to provide information about Jesus previous encounters with Andrew and Simon from the perspective of John s Gospel. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 18 to show that just as Jesus revealed Himself to His first followers, He reveals Himself to us today through: Creation Scripture SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 8 on page 22 and this page to explain the depth of meaning behind Jesus invitation, Follow Me. Responding to a summons Attachment to a person Acceptance of authority Imitation of example Surrender and submission Focused on serving Jesus, not distracted by own personal desires His mission became their mission Fully immersed in His plan /26/17 3:11 PM

24 THE POINT Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 9 on page 23 and this page to describe the response of the fishermen: Immediately responded Deep commitment Left their nets Left past behind Left a secure livelihood Committed to Jesus mission DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 19): When did you first hear the call of Jesus to follow Him? SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary on verses to show the similar call and response of James and John. understanding as to who Jesus was as Messiah and what that meant gradually developed and grew deeper as they spent more and more time with Him.] To demonstrate their own commitment to this new adventure, Andrew and Peter left their nets. Abandoning their nets symbolized the cost of discipleship in at least two ways. First, it indicated that they were leaving their past behind. The nets represented their profession, what they had grown up doing. It was what they knew and what they enjoyed. But the lure of the fishing business was not enough to overcome their devotion to the Messiah. Their old lives would have to take a backseat to their new reality. The nets also represented the secure livelihood that Andrew and Peter had built along the shores of Galilee. Their nets had provided whatever wealth they had accumulated, had put food on their tables, and provided a roof over their heads. Now, they were putting their very existence in Jesus hands. He would be their Source and Provider rather than their fishing nets, boats, and fish. Following Him meant relying on Him to meet their needs. Mark s use of followed him points to the fact that Andrew and Peter were completely committed to Jesus mission. They had seen and heard enough to believe that Jesus was the Messiah (John 1:40 42), and they were willing to lay everything else aside to become His disciples. Often, as believers we re tempted to take Jesus at a fraction of His word. We understand the need to follow Him, but we hold a piece of our hearts and lives back from Him. James, the leader of the early church, observed that uncommitted ( double-minded ) disciples lack stability in their lives and in their faith (Jas. 1:8). Verses Jesus continued on a fishing expedition of His own. After securing commitments from Andrew and Peter, He went on a little farther to speak with another pair of brothers, James and John. Like Peter and Andrew, James and John were engaged in a normal practice of their trade mending their fishing nets. This type of net was thrown from the boat into the sea to catch fish and then drawn back out of the water into the boat. Hauling in large catches of fish could put a strain on the nets and cause them to break in spots. Before the nets could be used again, those weak spots needed to be repaired. It wasn t exciting work, but it was necessary to get the most out of the equipment during their next time on the lake. 24 Session /26/17 3:11 PM

25 James and John s encounter with Jesus like that of Andrew and Peter reminds us that Jesus often comes to us during the ordinary moments in life. While we sometimes wait for Him to arrive with a blinding flash of light or a roll of thunder, He is more likely to speak to us in the everyday ebb and flow of our daily schedules. Mark used the term called to describe Jesus encounter with James and John. The word emphasizes the importance of discipleship. It is used in the context of discipleship in Mark 2:17, where Jesus talked about calling out sinners rather than those who don t recognize their need for Him. It was a different location with different fishermen, but the results were the same. When Jesus called, James and John wasted no time in responding. He called them, and they followed. The brothers left behind more than just their nets to follow Jesus. They left their father, Zebedee, and the hired servants who were helping them in their family business. Walking away from their livelihood, James and John also had to move away from the security of family relationships as well as the possibility of a larger stake in the family business in the future. Matthew recorded Jesus words that true disciples do not let family bonds get in the way of following Him (Matt. 10:37). This does not give believers the freedom to disrespect their family members (Mark 7:9 13), but it does emphasize the importance of surrendering every area of our lives to Jesus control. The presence of hired men working with the family indicated that Zebedee s family might already have enjoyed a certain amount of wealth. While family members working together was almost a given in that culture, only those who were doing well financially could consider bringing in extra help. Scripture notes that John was an acquaintance of the high priest (John 18:15 16), which also points to the possibility of a degree of wealth and influence. Despite their success, James and John followed Jesus. Jesus is still challenging individuals today to sacrifice the temporal things of this world that people find so important in favor of the eternal things which really matter. Much has changed since Jesus first started preaching and called four fishermen beside the Sea of Galilee. But the Messiah is still in the business of calling disciples to Himself. He s still offering all who will heed His call a spot on what will be the ride of a lifetime an adventure like no other! DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 20): What are some practical ways you can follow Jesus more closely? (Alternate: What are some of the ways Jesus calls people today?) DO: Invite volunteers to turn to PSG page 20 and respond to the activity Follow Me. Ask volunteers to share how their lives might change if they take seriously the call to follow Christ today. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Display a land line phone (preferably an older style) alongside a smart phone. Invite group members to share when a phone call made a significant change in the direction of their lives. Whether that phone call initially was positive or negative, discuss how God used that call to change the trajectory of their lives. 1. James A. Brooks, Mark, vol. 23 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1991), Rodney L. Cooper, Mark, vol. 2 in Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000), Brooks, Mark, Cooper, Mark, /26/17 3:11 PM

26 THE POINT Following Jesus is a life-changing adventure, and you are invited. LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: Following Jesus is a lifechanging adventure, and you are invited. REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 21); (see text to the right). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. WRAP IT UP LIVE IT OUT How will you respond to Jesus call this week? Consider the following: > > Consider. Spend a few minutes in self-reflection. At this stage of life, are you walking toward God or away from Him? As honestly as possible, weigh your actions to see if they align with Christ s call to follow Him. > > Correct. Identify something about yourself that needs to change and then take intentional, specific steps to change it. > > Cast. Jesus has called you to fish for people. It s not too late for your family members and friends to answer the call to follow Christ. Fish as the disciples would have with a wide net. Cast it far and wide, leaving the results of your casting up to God. In the adventure Jesus calls us to, we will not always know the direction we are headed, but we will always know the One to follow. Following Jesus is an adventure that leads us straight to the arms of the Father. GUIDE: Remind group members of the total commitment demonstrated by the four fishermen in the great adventure of following Jesus. That same commitment is required of followers of Jesus today to experience the thrill of walking by faith with Him. PRAY: Father, help us to respond to the invitation to follow Jesus with the same allin commitment demonstrated by Jesus first disciples. 26 Session /26/17 3:11 PM

27 HOLMAN BIBLE ATLAS/(NASHVILLE: (B & H) SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The call to follow Jesus is first and foremost a call to follow Him as Savior and Lord. When we acknowledge who He is and give our lives to Him, we are saved. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. The ministry of Jesus around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus called most of His disciples near the Sea of Galilee. Eleven of the twelve spent much of their lives near its shores. On or near this lake Jesus performed miracles including feeding the five thousand, feeding the four thousand, walking on water, calming the storm, healing the demoniac, predicting where disciples could cast their nets to catch fish, and forecasting Peter would pull up a fish containing the coin to pay their taxes. The Sermon on the Mount and a postresurrection appearance occurred on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. The excerpt above is from the article Beside the Sea of Galilee (Winter ), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra /26/17 3:11 PM