Week of February 20, 2012

Monday, February 20	Mark 8
Tuesday, February 21	Mark 9
Wednesday, February 22	Mark 10
Thursday, February 23	Mark 11
Friday, February 24	Mark 12
Saturday, February 25	Reflection
Sunday, February 26	Worship

Questions for the Week

Chapter 8: Verse 29 is seen as the "dividing point" in Mark’s Gospel. Till now Jesus was known to perform miracles, to feed, and to teach--and for the first time now he tells his disciples that he will undergo suffering, that he will be killed and also be raised again. This is Jesus’ first of three predictions of his passion (8:30-32, 9:30-32, 10:33-34). We might relate more to the disciple Peter who wanted to protect Jesus from the cruel suffering and death, but with the upcoming Lenten season, we realize the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. How do you plan to observe the six weeks of Lent?
Chapter 9: The story of the transfiguration (9:2-8, see also Matthew 17:1-8, Luke 9:28-36) is traditionally preached about on the last Sunday in Epiphany, the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday. People who are celebrating Mardi Grass or Carnival might feel like being on a "high mountain" before Lent. Where are your "mountaintop experiences" and "valley points" in your faith journey?
Chapter 10: Today is Ash Wednesday. Part of today’s reading is the question of: How do I inherit eternal life? As we are receiving the ash cross tonight as a visible symbol of being a follower of Jesus, how do you "accept the joy and cost of discipleship" (as stated in the UCC statement of faith)?
Chapter 11: The first 11 verses of today’s chapter are traditionally read on Palm Sunday. It is our first day of Lent--and we already know what’s coming up before Jesus endures his suffering and death. It feels getting ahead of ourselves, like fast forwarding a movie or skipping chapters in a book. How do we stay focused in our daily walk?
Chapter 12: Jesus is answering questions about the resurrection (Verses 18-27). Some people seem to be worried about details, they wonder how exactly certain aspects of faith "work" or they just ask questions in order to prove a point or point out any possible contradictions. How do you react to people who want to know it all? How do you share your faith? How are inspired by the ‘poor widow’ who gives all what she has out of love and devotion to God?

Posted on Mon, February 20, 2012 by Sigrid Rother

No comments (Add your own)

Add a New Comment

Your Name:

Your Email/URL (Optional):

Your Comment:

Enter the code you see below:
code

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.