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BIBLE STUDY

UNTIL WE’RE ABLE TO MEET AT CHURCH AGAIN, THE GOSPEL READING FOR THE COMING SUNDAY AND SOME QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT WILL BE POSTED EVERY WEDNESDAY.  WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR OWN ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS. PLEASE EMAIL THEM TO:      

barbfletcher2@aol.com

 

ALL COMMENTS WILL BE COMPILED (ANONYMOUSLY) AND ADDED TO THE POSTING ON SATURDAY.   WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE GOSPEL READING EACH WEEK.

 

BIBLE STUDY FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2021

 

PRAYER:     Holy Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit, prepare our hearts and minds to receive all that You want us to learn.  As we read your word, shine on us the light of your truth.  May we gain a deeper understanding of who You are and what your will is in each of our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

CONTEXT:  This week’s Gospel takes place the evening of the day of last week’s reading about the “seed” parables. Jesus has spent an exhausting day on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, teaching the people about the nature of the Kingdom of God, and He decides at evening to cross over to the other side.  The Sea of Galilee, which is actually a very large lake, is known to be an unpredictable body of water.  Located 700 feet below sea level, it is surrounded by mountains, which cause a vacuum effect.  When cold air comes down over the mountains and meets the warm air over the water, sudden and severe windstorms are often created, as we see in this reading.

 

READING:   Mark 4:35-41:

 

Jesus Stills a Storm

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

 

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

1.  What do you think it means in verse 35 that they took Jesus with them “just as He was”?  What does it tell you about Jesus and his ministry?

2.  What are some reasons why Jesus would have slept through all of this turmoil?

3.  What glaring mistakes do the disciples make in verse 38?  Do you make the same mistakes?  How should they have responded in the midst of the storm?

4.  Why do you think Jesus might have wanted the disciples to undergo this test?  What did they need to learn, and why was it so important for them to learn it?

5.  Verse 41 asks an essential question: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”  How would you answer it?  What are some of the “winds” and “seas” Jesus has conquered in your life? 

6.  Describe the last “storm” you personally went through?  Did you feel as if Jesus was “sleeping”?  What do you think Jesus would say about the level of trust you displayed in Him?  What hinders you?  What helps you?

7.  Share three truths you have learned from this reading.  How will you use them when facing the future “storms” in your life?