In the Class Room 2-14-10

BIBLE STUDY
We began our study, ‘Is God Still Working in the World?’, page 34 of our study book. After a background briefing from Mark, Chapter 3 and learning that after Jesus began his public ministry He traveled in Galilee, preaching the gospel message, healing the sick, and casting out demons, we turned to Mark 4:14-20 and began to study the method of teaching Jesus used. He often taught by using parables. A parable is an illustration to create a word picture of the example/principle being taught. They were designed to confound those who were unwilling to learn spiritual truth, but draw those with willing hearts to grow in faith. Therefore, their meanings were often obscure.

The parable discussed today was that of the sower. Jesus used the example of farming so every one could understand. He told of the seed falling 1) along the path, 2) among thorns, 3) upon rocky ground, and 4) upon good ground as the farmer sowed what he hoped would become a good harvest.

Identification of symbols Jesus used:

The seed: The Word, the message of God’s kingdom.

Along the path: As the Word is spread, or sowed, at times it falls on a hardened path, symbolizing a hardened heart and has little chance of germinating. Here it also lays open to birds to snatch it away, just as Satan can easily take the Word from an unreceptive heart.

Among thorns: The author of our study said thorns represent worldly worries, pursuit of wealth, and selfish desires. People laden with these things are well equipped to believe the Word, but because their lives are choked with thorns, the result is a lack of spiritual fruit.

Rocky ground: This refers to an area where a thin layer of soil covers a rocky surface. The soil allows germination, but is too shallow to provide a good root system and eventually the plant withers and dies. This is a picture of those who hear the word and first react joyfully, but the gospel never really takes root. When problems arise, they back (wither) away.

Good ground: When soil conditions are right and weeds are plucked away, the seed will grow and fruit is produced, resulting in a bountiful harvest. Spiritually, this represents people who welcome the Word when it is heard. The fruit can refer to how the Lord continually works in the lives of such people, increasing their faith, or how God works in an evangelistic way to ‘harvest’ new converts.

Read the remainder of Chapter 4 and pages 39-41 in our study book for Sunday’s continuation of our study of parables Jesus used in His ministry to teach the people. Come prepared to share your thoughts, questions, and insights with us at 11 A.M., Room 404. See you then!


PRAYER REQUESTS

Sue – Eva’s friend; in a coma after surgery to graft bone from cheek to skull
Martha and Clayton
Unspoken: Diane and Donna
Kay – Pet scan Friday to affirm no other sign of cancer

In the Class Room 2-7-10

BIBLE STUDY

We concluded studying the second chapter of the Gospel of Mark Sunday, verses 18-28, pages 22-25 in the study book from this unit entitled, ‘What Does Jesus’ Call Mean For Me?’ This unit of study is about asking the right questions concerning Jesus. We found in this lesson that the Pharisees were desperately seeking to entrap Jesus in heresy or to observe him breaking the Jewish law to have a reason to arrest him.

The first of three instances recorded in the second chapter of Mark is concerning the practice of fasting. In the New Testament period, fasting was considered a mark of devotion and the Pharisees fasted ‘religiously’ twice weekly. It was noticed that Jesus’ followers did not fast regularly and the ‘people’ wanted to know why. Seemingly, there was a critical attitude implied in their questioning. Jesus answered with a reference to a wedding feast, which is a joyous occasion. Why would anyone fast (go without food) in the presence of the bridegroom (Jesus)? The time will come when the bridegroom will no longer be with them, then it will be time to fast, verses 19-20.

Jesus used two other examples to explain the new and unique quality of His ministry. Verse 21 speaks of sewing a patch of new cloth on an old garment. No one repairs an old garment with a brand new piece of cloth, because the old cloth is shrunk from many washings and after the first wash the new cloth would tear away leaving a much larger tear. The new cloth is representing the gospel. Jesus’ point was that the Jewish legalism could not be repaired by layering the gospel over it. The new gospel message was not about obtaining good standing by keeping with rituals and traditions, but receiving a freely given eternal life.

Verse 22 uses the analogy of wine-making to further illustrate the message of His teachings. Wine makers always put new wine into fresh, pliable containers made of animal skins, never in old brittle containers. Fermentation would cause old containers to crack, causing the wine to be lost. The point here is that Jewish traditions are not wrong, only that their time had passed. The old covenant was giving way to the new. The gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus could not be contained in first century Judaism.

The remainder of the chapter focuses on the Pharisees attempting to find a reason to arrest Jesus. Somehow, they always knew where Jesus and his followers were and what they were doing. When they were caught picking grain on the Sabbath, they thought, “Aha! We got him now!” It was unlawful to work on the Sabbath and when Jesus was asked “Why?” he reminded them of David going into the Temple and eating the sacred bread when he and his warriors were hungry. Jesus reminded the Pharisees that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath and then boldly asserted His authority as Lord, even of the Sabbath.

What does Jesus’ call mean to me?
1) Reach out to sinners, Mark 2:15-17
2) Live with a new attitude, Mark 2:18-22
3) Meet the needs of others, Mark 2:23-28

Let us determine to follow Jesus more closely and live up to His expectations.

We are going to skip the next weekly study of our book, ‘Why Did Jesus Come?’, because it was originally designed to coincide with Christmas week and we are not on the book’s schedule. So fast forward to page 34, ‘Is God Still Working in the World?’. Read this lesson and Mark, Chapters 3 and 4 and come prepared to share your thoughts, questions, and insights with us at 11 A.M., Room 404. See you then!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Sue, Eva’s friend – sinus infection developed staph that deteriorated bone; surgery
to take bone from cheek to graft onto skull this week
Kay – recovering from colon surgery
Barbara – Heath’s grandmother; stroke

In the Class Room 1-31-10

BIBLE STUDY
We continued studying the second chapter of the Gospel of Mark in class Sunday, verses 13-17, pages 20-21 in the study book from this unit entitled, ‘How Can Jesus Help Me?’ This unit of study is about asking the right questions concerning Jesus. Our discussion centered on the difficulty of Christians obeying two commands of Christ: 1) separate yourself from the world and 2) reach out and share the love of Christ to those who are lost. It almost seems like a contradiction. How can one reach those who participate in activities/acts that do not interest us Christians without socializing with them?

Several points were brought out:
1) Christ had no problem interacting with sinners, verses 15-16
2) Christians must interact with the lost, verse 17
3) Only by interacting can Christians show the difference Christ can make in one’s life
4) One can interact without participating in wrong doings
5) One must take a stand and show by example

We will continue studying Mark, Chapter 2, Sunday, beginning with verse 18, and page 21 of our study book. This study is entitled, ‘What Does Jesus’ Call Mean For Me?’ Read this passage and pages and come prepared to share your thoughts, questions, and insights with us at 11 A.M., Room 404. See you then!


PRAYER REQUESTS
Kay – recovering from surgery
Elijah – Donna’s co-worker’s nephew; surgery/pneumonia
Unspoken: Diane, Donna, and Nell