The Gospel of Mark 8:1-21
(Leaders, be sure to check out and include the “What’s next for our group” section as a part of your time tonight).
About the Series
This week we are continuing in the Gospel of Mark. In this book, we follow along with the life of Jesus, a first-century rabbi from Nazareth, filled with God’s power and authority, going about healing, teaching, calling disciples, and proclaiming the gospel: “the Kingdom of God has come near” (1:15).
The Gospel of Mark is designed to present Jesus to the reader along with the question, “Who do you say that I am?” (8:29). Just like Mark’s original audience, readers today are invited to answer this question for themselves, and to accept the invitation to follow Jesus—to spend time with Him, learn from Him, and do what He does.
Sermon Recap
This week we look at Mark 8:1-21. This text is broken up into three parts.
Part 1 is The Feeding of the 4,000. Are the feeding of the 5,000 from Mark 6 and this feeding story two different events, or the same event told in two different ways?
There is evidence to support each option, but either way, the theme or meaning of each story remains: all those who come to Jesus leave satisfied. The mission of Jesus is to feed and satisfy, to release and liberate.
In Part 2 (Mark 8:11-13), Jesus encounters the Pharisees who ask him for a sign. He recognizes their blindness and refuses to give them a sign. Even if Jesus had given them a sign, would that evidence lead to their faith? Can evidence alone get someone to the place of faith? Faith, like love, is something that is experienced in the context of relationship and mutual trust; perhaps faith that is built on proof alone, is just doubt in disguise.
Part 3 (Mark 8:14-21) centers around Jesus’ warning to the disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees and Herod. The Pharisees and Herod serve as archetypes for religious influence and political power—rival kingdoms to the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed.
We are invited to share in the Kingdom of God, characterized by abundance, where Jesus feeds all nations. We are all invited to the same table to share the same bread—the “one loaf” (8:14) that is Jesus. In Jesus, the lines that separate us can be erased. There is enough of Jesus for all to be fed and satisfied.
Practice For Tonight
(Leaders: Before going into the questions, you may want to give your group a minute or so of silence, reflecting on and listening to the Spirit around the question, “What is Jesus inviting you to notice tonight?”)
Tonight is the last week of this Small Group fall term. We are going to use the teaching as a launch point to share about how we have seen God at work in our lives and in our group over the last eight weeks.
Then, before we end, we will talk briefly about the next Small Groups term, and what we might do between now and then.
But first, let’s use this set of questions to guide our discussion. (You may want to pull up the guide on your phone to help you process and reflect.)
What stands out to you from Sunday’s teaching? What has been staying with you that you’d like to share?
Reflect on the last eight weeks as we’ve been in this small group together. In what way—in or out of our Small Group gatherings—have you experienced being fed and satisfied, or released and liberated by Jesus? Or, in what way have you become more aware of your need or desire to be (fed, satisfied, released, liberated)?
As we’ve been sharing, is there someone in our group that comes to mind who has displayed the character of Jesus, or cared for you in a special way? Take a moment now to express your gratitude and encourage them (or, if more appropriate, let them know after we break and before you leave).
We are going to close in prayer. Let’s take a few minutes to offer any prayers of petition and/or gratitude that came from our conversation.
What’s next for our group?
(Leaders: Instead of a practice for the week, please communicate and have a brief discussion around what’s next.)
Next Term Dates
This is the last week of the 8-week fall term for Small Groups. The next term will be from January 21 through March 16th.
Between Now and the Next Term
(Leaders, here are some suggestions for how to spend the “break” between small group terms)
Option 1: Complete break. Holidays coming up, need a rest, need time for discernment about family involvement.
Option 2: Plan 1-3 Casual Gatherings. Have a game night, go to Main Event, do a “Friends-giving” dinner, etc.
Option 3: Meet weekly. Eat meals together, break from formal discussions, continue sharing prayer requests, etc.
Winter Term Group Formation
Checklist for Returning Leaders
(Leaders who are planning to lead again in the next term)
Communicate your plan to lead again
Term Dates: January 21 - March 16
Members check your calendars, we ask you to commit to participate each week of the term (barring sickness, etc.)
If you can’t commit to the next term, that’s okay! There will be a spring term as well.
Pre-registration for returning members is December 10 - January 6
Checklist for Leaders Not Returning
(Leaders who are not planning to lead again in the next term)
Communicate you will be stepping out of leading
Is there a person/couple/family in the group interested in leading?
If yes, offer to connect them with Melanie (melanie@refugeabq.com)
If no, communicate that Open Signups for Winter Term Small Groups will be January 7-21
