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The Studies Stream offers easy access to all the existing Growing Disciples video resources. This stream also features new ‘Deep Dive’ studies on selected books and important themes of the Bible. Frequently Asked Questions will also be answered in written articles. New resources will be added each month.
The title of Mark’s gospel makes clear that it’s all about Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark presents this message in an economical and direct manner that will be useful for the persecuted 1st century Christians of Rome. Mark’s economic use of language should never be thought simplistic. Instead, he invites the reader’s inquiry into Jesus’ claim to be the kind of suffering servant saviour Messiah described in the latter writings of the prophet Messiah.
In Mark 7 Jesus is surrounded by Pharisees and Teachers of the Law from Jerusalem. As the debate builds, Jesus calls the crowd to draw near and speaks to them in a parable. As in Mark 4, the meaning of the parable remains unclear, until Jesus privately explains it to his disciples. Ultimately, Jesus calls for a good diet'� of the mind.
What is the minimum standard of '�love for our neighbour' we are obliged to meet? If Jesus defines '�neighbour' as these people but not those people'� then the bar is set. All we have to do is jump high enough to get over that bar. And if we do, we have fulfilled all righteousness. We have '�done' the Law of Moses and can get comfortable in God's good nooks. But Jesus' answer in this parable turns our '�minimum standard' question back upon us. The real question is are we acting as a neighbour. @Growing-Disciples
Jesus' parables of the Kingdom are useful in shaping our prayers and refining our expectations. What do we anticipate God is doing? What might he do with me, in my days, among my cohort? These parables challenge us to believe Jesus' teaching and pray accordingly. @Growing-Disciples
Jesus' shorter parables are perhaps his most beguiling. Too quickly we skim over them to the next in our haste to learn something we don't already know. These two parables call us to attention; to consider carefully what we are hearing and ponder our own responses to God.
The Parable of Seeds and the Sower is often repeated as an allegory. But it is firstly a parable. It explains why, against all odds, the Kingdom of God grows to produce a miraculously large crop. Despite opposition, the word of God through Jesus will result in unexpectedly large numbers of people coming into the Kingdom.
This is a collection of three interactions with individuals. Each one is tested at the point of their readiness and suitability to be Jesus' disciple. Through these interactions we also learn what Jesus thinks being his disciple is all about. And surely this is going to form our own pathways of discipleship.
