New Teatament Bible Reading Challenge week 8

 

New Testament Bible Reading Challenge 4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014 Week 08: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters

Welcome to The Salvation Army's Challenge to read the New Testament from beginning to end within one year, reading just 5 chapters per week.

We are now onto Week 8 of our New Testament Bible Reading Challenge, and on Tuesday we’ll cross over the half-way stage through Mark’s Gospel.

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Great Expectations: Expect God to speak through the Scriptures, expect to learn new things about Him, and about ourselves, and expect to read and absorb some familiar stories and passages.

Top Tip!To get the most out of this challenge, start each daily reading with a short, simple, sincere prayer asking God to guide your thinking as you read. Then open the Bible and read slowly, with the aim of learning something new. After the reading, consider how it may affect your life and relationship with Jesus, and allow your increased knowledge of the Scriptures to shape your character and strengthen your trust in God.
Take your time - enjoy this opportunity - and may God bless you as you embark upon this New Testament Bible Challenge.
Captain Phil Layton

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Monday, April 22, 2013 --- Mark 8 --- Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 and heals a blind man, but still He is underestimated.

- The feeding of the 4,000 was obviously very impressive, and yet maybe the 'shine' is taken off this miracle because 2 chapters earlier we read about Him feeding 5,000...and with less food! But do you think that having this 'less impressive' miracle mentioned afterward somehow actually adds to the credibility, accuracy, and authenticity of the reports?

- v34 reads, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."...what do you think this 'cross' is that Jesus is referring to?

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 --- Mark 9 --- The Transfiguration, an exorcism, the need to serve one another and to avoid sin!
- Take a look at v10 and v32. Is it fair to say that the disciples were not necessarily 'slow' with regard to understanding Jesus' teaching and mission, but that we simply have the luxury of hindsight?

- v35, how can you  be a servant?

- "Tough on sin, and tough on the causes of sin!" (v42-48)...would/should this be a slogan that would sit comfortably within the Church today?

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 --- Mark 10 --- More teaching, and a more detailed prediction about Jesus’ death and resurrection.

- Some of Jesus' teaching on divorce may seem rather strict to some, perfectly 'normal' to others....what do you think?

- Try taking v33-34 apart and notice how this really is an amazingly precise and detailed prediction.

Thursday, April 25, 2013 --- Mark 11 --- Jesus’ Triumphal entry, anger at the Temple’s misuse, and authority is questioned.
- v11, do you think that maybe here Jesus is 'psyching Himself up' for what was to follow?

- v12-14 seems a bit harsh bearing in mind that it wasn't the season for figs anyway...why do you think Jesus reacted this way?

Friday, April 26, 2013 --- Mark 12 --- More teaching, including the greatest commandment!

- v18-27 Jesus not only answers the trick question from the Sadducees, but also goes on to refute their whole anti-resurrection theology!....but, from Jesus' answer, can we tell whether the dead have risen already? or whether their resurrection is a future event?

- How useful would it be for us to memorise and practice the 2 greatest commandments outlined by Jesus in v29-31?