After exploring our posture toward, and relationship with, Scripture and claiming the story redeemed, we walked through the season of Advent. A time to recognize that the incarnation (the birth of Christ in Jesus) was redemptive. Christ is with us. In the new year, we press into what it means to be a community who gathers to discover and embody of the love of Jesus in the world, by walking through the book of Mark. This is a two part series. Part one focuses on our identity as followers of Jesus who are becoming who God is calling us to be. We ask ourselves the question, “who are we as followers of Jesus?” Part two is a journey into darkness during the season of Lent, taking a look at the shadow side of life and ourselves. We follow Jesus to the cross and ultimately to the resurrection at Easter.

As we walk through most of the gospel of Mark, we’ll consider how our practices are seen in the life of Jesus and his followers as we get into the “nitty gritty” - the particulars - of our faith as a church in the midst of our broader Church culture. We’ll consider the church defined as relationship rather than physical space and what that means as we navigate being a “people of peace” in the midst of a hostile Church culture in which it is so easy to feel removed from the family of God.

WEEK BY WEEK:

BECOMING

January 5: Intro/News of New Beginnings [1.1-15]

January 12: Calling and Sabbath Practices [1.16-28]

January 19: Healings at Home and on the Road [1.29-45]

January 26: Controversial Christ [2.1-3.6]

February 2: The Creation of a Ministering Community Part 1: Sow Far, Sow Good [4.1-20 ]

February 9: The Creation of a Ministering Community Part 2: A Legion of Demons, a Herd of Swine [5.1-20]

February 16: Tests of Discipleship [6.6b-8.38]

February 23: Transfigured Glory and Transformed Disciples [9.1-10:52]

LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT

[Ash Wednesday February 26]

March 1: Challenges with the Titans [11.27-12.44]

March 8: The Temple of Doom and Impending Persecution [13.1-37]

March 15: Plot Thickens: Anointing, Sold for Silver, Preparations and a Solemn Ceremony [14.1-26]

March 22: Earthly Disaster, Kiss of Death, and Trying Circumstances in the Face of Unkindness [14.32-72]

March 29: Darkness of Justice - Roman Style - and the Adding of Insult to Injury [15.1-20]

April 5: Palm Sunday: A Grand Entrance [11.1-11]

[Holy Week Liturgy - Death at Stake, 15.21-47: During the week, folks are encouraged to read and sit in the darkness of Jesus’ death...and wait.]

EASTER: April 12: The End of the Beginning of the Gospel [16]

DISCUSSION PROMPTS:

-As you explore the book of Mark, what is capturing your attention? What new have you noticed?

-Wonder together. What is the Spirit revealing to you about identifying as a follower of Jesus?

-What pieces of faith and identity have you shed? What pieces do you sense need to be picked back up?

-What spiritual practices allow you to regularly remain connected in prayer to God, regularly? Experiment. Choose just one practice and commit to consistently engaging in it for one month. If the experiment fails, try something else. Listen, learn, grow, be gracious with yourself and those around you.

-Discuss Trinity’s practices. Where do you sense God inviting you to lean in?

-As you journey with Jesus toward the cross, in what ways might you need to be more acquainted with suffering?

-How might you befriend others who find themselves in the darkness as well?

-As you explore and read the book of Mark, what is Jesus teaching you about the terrain - the landscape of life and faith?

-What patterns do you notice emerging in your faith journey? What do you need from God right now?