Foundations Study, Week 4 & 5
Mark 9:14-29
As Jesus, Peter, James and John came off of the mountain they were met by an anxious and eager crowd. As Jesus questioned the crowd about what was happening, a father steps forward to ask for help. Pleading with Jesus the father asks for compassion and help for his son. Interestingly, Jesus addresses a need the father has before he heals the man’s son. It wasn’t that Jesus couldn’t heal because of the father’s lack of faith, it was more that Jesus was serving everyone at the same time. What I mean is that while He is about to free the son He is also going to strengthen the father. At the same time Jesus is teaching the disciples who were unable to help the man, he is also teaching Peter, James and John about what comes after a mountain top experience.
1. Read through this passage from Mark and make notes about what portion stands out to you.
a. Consider why that portion or verse stands out. Write down what you see and what you think in regards to why it stands out to you.
b. Learning to share what we are learning is an important aspect of spiritual growth.
i. Share what you have seen and written with someone. Perhaps someone who is going through this study or with someone who can encourage you or someone that would be encouraged by what you are learning.
2. Last week’s prayer and fasting was amazing. Many people shared how they had a greater sensitivity to what God was speaking to them. With last week’s experience in mind and considering our text today, meditate upon Mark 9:29 “…This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Meditate speaks of to chew on it, ponder, consider. Here is a good definition/description for meditation from Bible.org; “The goal of Christian meditation is to internalize and personalize the Scripture so that its truth can affect how we think, our attitudes, and how we live, our actions.”
a. After ‘meditating’ on this for a while make journal notes of what God is showing you.
DEEPER STILL
Read through this account (Mark 9:14-29) a few times then consider what each of the following people were going through. What might Jesus be teaching them or showing them? Write down your thoughts or observations for each one listed below.
1. The crowd
2. The scribes
3. The father
4. The son
5. The disciples
6. Peter, James, John
After working through this entire handout, separate yourself from distractions and ask God to show you what He desires for you to learn concerning serving Him and growing closer to Him. Write down what you learn.
For those of you who have not received handouts from last week I have them available in my office and we will have them online this week. I apologize for the mix up in getting these out to you.
Also for those of you participating (or wanting to participate) in DEEPER STILL please reply so that I can set up a time for all of us to meet.
I want to thank you all for responding to God’s invitation to live fruitful and joy filled lives. My heart for you is aligned with Paul’s as recorded in 1 Thessalonians 2:13“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
I hope you have an awesome week!
In His Amazing Grace,
Pastor Dan
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise,
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen” Jude 24,25
DEEPER STILL:
This is for everyone who senses Gods calling them to a closer more responsive walk. Jesus’ disciples went from curious, to casual, to committed in their relationship with Him. This was not merely their decision or determination. This was a response on their part to what God was calling them to. It is the same today; we start as curious which for some then leads to a casual healthy spiritual life. For some the curious to casual is followed by His call to a deeper commitment. If you are at that point or sense that God is calling you to a role of leadership, or perhaps a role of support and helps, or even a more committed consistent spiritual life, then the DEEPER STILL tract is for you. This will involve the same approach as listed in the initial portion of this letter as well as additional disciplines.
In DEEPER STILL I ask that you commit additional time to prayer. This prayer time is enhanced as you keep a reading journal and prayer log of what God is showing you. Along with the reading journal and prayer log, I ask that you read supplemental articles that I will have available to you. As you glean from these articles and writings I ask that you write brief summaries or reports on a selected few. DEEPER STILL will help you learn to listen to Gods voice. It will help you learn from others who have experienced God’s faithfulness. DEEPER STILL will strengthen you and stretch you in your spiritual journey with Jesus.
To be involved with the DEEPER STILL tract of this Foundation Study simply reply to this email and indicate that you would like to be a part of the DEEPER STILL portion.