New Testament Bible Reading Challenge4 March 2013 to 28th February 2014
Week 07: Bible Reading Plan and Discussion Starters
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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 7, and as we continue through Mark’s Gospel you may notice the
similarities with Matthew’s Gospel, and yet that’s the beauty of the
Gospels - 4 separate accounts which each help us to see who Jesus is
from a different perspective, but when brought together give us a much
deeper, richer portrayal of our Saviour.
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
Monday, April 15, 2013 --- Mark 3 --- Jesus heals on the Sabbath, is recognised by more evil spirits, and calls the Twelve.- Why do you think Jesus gave the evil spirits strict orders not to reveal who He was? (v12)
- Read verses 13-19, then test yourself...can you name the Twelve Apostles?
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 --- Mark 4 --- Jesus uses parables to teach, and then demonstrates His authority over nature.- If we linger awhile on the parable of the sower and its meaning, can we think of cultures, or individuals who fall into each of the categories listed? Are there folk close to us who we might include? Folk within our churches, or who used to be in our churches too?
- What about ourselves...are there times, occasions, and circumstances when in truth we may find ourselves drifting into one of the categories where the seed is not falling into good soil within our own lives?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 --- Mark 5 --- Jesus casts out demons, heals a woman, and brings a dead girl back to life!- Why do you think Jesus asked for the name of the evil spirit within the possessed man? Didn't He know it?
- Can you imagine the impact this event would have had on the area?...Imagine 2000 pigs drowning from such an event in your area!
- Is there any significance in the number 12 being the same in verse 25 as in verse 42?
- Jesus once more demonstrates His absolute authority and sovereignty...yet with all the theological intricacies and healthy debates which we can dwell on within our faith, do you sense the power of Jesus' simple reassurance in v36?
Thursday, April 18, 2013 --- Mark 6 --- John the Baptist is beheaded, Jesus feeds over 5000 with little, and walks on water- Read v1-6 carefully. Is it possible to be blind to the extent to which God may be using those closest to us, just because we don't expect it?
- It is possible to take the miracle of feeding the 5000 too casually. Have we considered exactly what that would have looked like, how impossible the task may have seemed, and how Jesus not only met their need, but surpassed it overwhelmingly?
- What can we learn for our own lives from this event?
Friday, April 19, 2013 --- Mark 7 --- Jesus explains the need to challenge any tradition that obscures God’s will.- This reading requires a significant piece of self-assessment within our own lives, within our churches, and within the Church as a whole if we are to truly appreciate its implications. Are there any traditions that we/the church/humankind has introduced which may seem good but are in danger of becoming obstacles to our relationship with God?
- How do we decipher what is a helpful tradition and what is not?
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