Read Mark 6:1-29
What are some of the costs that are associated with not following Jesus? Be specific.
What are some of the costs associated with following Jesus? Be specific.
In what sense could Jesus not do any mighty works while in Nazareth? (Vs. 5-6)
How is it possible for people to see what Jesus has done and be astonished by it, yet not believe in Him?
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. What does Paul say here about the cross, humility, and suffering? How does this help shed light on Mark 6:1-6?
What is it about Jesus and the gospel that causes people to stumble today?
Do you know of anyone who is offended by Jesus? What are some of the reasons for them taking offense to Him?
Is there anything about Jesus and the gospel that you’re in danger of taking offense to?
Do you find yourself at times shying away from using the name of Jesus?
If so, why? (Vs. 2-3)
Can you give a biblical and personal example of how exposure to Jesus does not necessarily equate to faith in Jesus? (Ex. Rich young ruler. Mark 10:17-27)
How has truly knowing Jesus changed your life? Be specific; personally, relationally, emotionally, financially, eternally, etc…
Where might you be presently missing out on the work of Jesus in your life due to a lack of faith?
Are there places in your life where you're still keeping Jesus at distance?
Ask yourself, is there anything that's become so important to you that it has controlling power in your life that you can't fully obey Jesus because it's become more important than Jesus? Is he worth losing it for His sake and His Kingdom?
What's keeping you from obeying him?
Pray this prayer: Lord, I want the name of Jesus on my lips. I want the life of Jesus in my heart, I want the truths of Jesus in my mind and want everything I do to be for Jesus because I want Jesus to be in everything I do… but I recognize there's a cost. Please change me, instruct me, remove things that do not belong, reorder everything in me.
Where are a few tangible areas you can begin, in faith to obey Jesus this week? What will you need to do in order to make it happen?
Prayer Points
OUTREACH
We envision sharing the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection with thousands of unchurched family members, friends, and others in our local area, that they will trust Him as Savior and Lord.
Pray for courage to share the Gospel.
Pray for your family members who may not know Jesus.
Pray for your friends who may not know Jesus.
Pray for the people you work with or go to school with who may not know Jesus.
Pray for receptive hearts.
Pray for the people in our local area to know Jesus.
Pray that people will trust in Jesus.
Pray that we will be broken for lost people.
Pray for God’s direction in how our church can specifically share the Gospel with our community.
Your own prayer concerns for evangelism.
DISCIPLESHIP AND MINISTRY
We envision developing our people – new believers as well as established believers – into fully functioning Christ-followers through people-friendly, celebratory worship services, special events, and Community Groups.
We envision helping all our people – youth as well as adults – to discover their divine designs so that they are equipped to serve Christ effectively in ministry either within or outside our church. Our goal is that every member be a minister.
Pray that our people will desire a closer and deeper walk with the Lord.
Pray for our church’s ability to make disciples.
Pray for direction for our church in developing new ways to make disciples.
Pray that our more mature people will step up and help make disciples of those less mature.
Pray that our people will desire to serve one another.
Pray for new leaders to come forward in leading church ministry.
Pray that the church will be effective in training and using our people for ministry.
Your own prayer concerns for Discipleship and Ministry.
COMMUNITY AND WORSHIP
We envision becoming a church where our people model biblical community: a safe, authentic place where we accept one another and are accepted, love and are loved, led and are leading, encourage and are encouraged, forgive and are forgiven, and serve and are served.
We envision welcoming many members into our body who are excited about Christ, experiencing life-change through worship, discipleship, and Community Groups, and growing together in love.
Pray for our people to be unified and in one accord.
Pray for our people to develop family love for one another.
Pray for our people to be forgiving.
Pray for our people to be encouraging to one another.
Pray for commitment to our church and to one another.
Pray for our Sunday morning services.
Pray for our worship team.
Pray for our pastor.
Pray for our youth leaders.
Pray for the excitement we share in Jesus to never fade away.
Your own prayer concerns for Community and Worship.