Jesus Is... Sept 9 - Sept 15

Video Kick Start Question (Note that this question has no definitive biblical answer and is simply designed to generate conversation; if the question fails to accomplish this simply move on):

When they were initially called, Simon, Andrew, James, and John didn’t fully understand who Jesus was, what He was calling them to, or the end goal, but still they dropped their nets, left their livelihood behind and followed. We have the Bible which reveals to us fully who Jesus is, what He is calling us to, and what the end result entails. Why is it that despite all of this revelation many of us still fail to follow?

-Read our text for this week out loud- Mark 1:1-20

Why does Jesus go find His own disciples instead of waiting at the temple for pupils to volunteer their devotion as was the custom? Urgency- the importance of the message drove Him to action. He also had a limited amount of time.

Why did Jesus choose the fishermen? The other rabbis only accepted disciples from among the intellectual community. It is obvious that the disciples Jesus calls in this text were the 1^st century equivalent of college drop outs, they failed to advance to the next academic level that’s why they were working as fishermen.

In verses 14-20 Jesus models three things very clearly: There is a clear message (v:15), that message is to be proclaimed (v:15), and Jesus appoints and empowers the messengers (v:17).

-What is the meaning of the message Jesus is proclaiming in verse 15?

-What does it mean to be a fisher of men?

-Does your understanding of the content of Jesus message intensify the importance of becoming a fisher of men?

 -Do you feel like your church, rGroup and service involvement is developing you in a fisher of men? If not, what do you think would help equip you? Document responses to this question and send them to Paul.

-Do you make excuses about your inability to present the Gospel well or your lack of knowledge regarding Scripture, hiding behind these reasons as an acceptable pardon from Jesus’ call to be fishers of men? Your presentation of the Gospel and your knowledge of Scripture are reflective of your relationship with Jesus…ouchies!

Bottom line:

1)     Jesus offers us reconciliation to God as prophesied in the O.T. that is an important and urgent message!

2)     Jesus can use the most unequipped nobodies to accomplish His mission.

3)     If your life feels mundane and routine you aren’t a fisher of men! Jesus calling is extreme, see how boring things are when you walk up to the barista at Krankies and say, “you know Jesus?”

Announcements: 
-Coats for Kids begins this Sunday September 16th! Our goal is 200 coats.
-Drive for Freedom Oct. 20th (http://www.driveforfreedom.com/)
-Baptism Oct. 28th