3/17 – 3/23

As we continue reading and studying The Gospel According to Mark, this week we move into the section of John Mark’s version of the good news of Christ with Jesus’ ministry of miraculously healing, casting out demons, and teaching continuing. In the chapters and verses we will also read the account of Peter declaring that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah, the three occasions of Jesus predicting his death and resurrection, as well as the glory of God being revealed in and through Christ on a mountain. Also in this section of the gospel, the invitation to discipleship that had been shared on the Sea of Galilee to “come follow me and I will send you out to fish for people” at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry transitions to “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Mark 1:17; 8:34 NIV).

 

If you did not read Mark 1:1 through 8:21 during the past few weeks, you are encouraged to read or listen to those chapters and verses before you begin reading, studying, and listening to the verses for this week. Our journey of reading and studying Mark’s Gospel will continue now through the week after Easter. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

Each Day

– Lenten Invitational Prayer

– Read a centering verse for the week

– Meditation letting the message from the verse roll around in your mind

– Read part of the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith

– Listen to and/or Sing a worship song or hymn

– Read part of Jesus’ story in Mark’s Gospel

– Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone e else about them, or simply think about your responses

– Prayer of the Day

– Live in response to Jesus

 

LENTEN INVITATIONAL PRAYER:

Dear God, my Savior, I rise from my rest today to adore you, to live for you,

to serve you as I work with the people of your church in building

your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Help me to take up my cross today,

to forgive as I have been forgiven, to love others as I am loved by you,

to seek peace for the world, and to share the message of reconciliation.

I humbly offer myself to you to suffer if necessary, with the hope that

good will come from it, just as there was good brought forth from the suffering Christ endured.

Help me to know the power of the cross of Christ.

Prepare my heart and mind for the message you have for me today.

Yes, speak to me, Lord, for your servant is listening.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit of the living God I pray. Amen.

 

DAILY CENTERING VERSE:

Each day read the centering verse to begin your time set apart to be with and encounter the living God revealed in and through Jesus Christ:

Jesus said, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34 CEB

 

MEDITATION:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with God after reading the verse. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DECLARATION OF FAITH:

Read a portion of the Nicene Creed as a declaration of your faith:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven…

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who with the Father and the Son

is worshiped and glorified…

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

If you have not watched the videos yet, you are invited to watch the animated Mark overview video and the Gospel of Mark Summary video using the YouTube links or visiting the Bible Project website:

Mark by The Bible Project

 

The Gospel of Mark Summary by The Bible Project

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a Worship Song or Hymn to help you respond to God to express your gratitude and adoration for the Lord. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some or all of the days.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ & STUDY:

Sunday – 2 Timothy 1:1-10 (Suffering for the Gospel)

Monday – Mark 8:22-9:1

Tuesday – Mark 9:2-29

Wednesday – Mark 9:30-10:16

Thursday – Mark 10:17-10:31

Friday – Mark 10:32-10:52

Saturday – Mark 2:27-28 (The Sabbath theme for this weekend is, “Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.”)

 

QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message to you. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

What is the gospel writer revealing about Jesus in these verses?

 

What do these verses reveal about Jesus’ followers?

 

What is God’s specific message for me from what I read?

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message to me today and this week?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of rest and worship this weekend?

 

PRAY:

You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as you pray:

Sunday – Praise the Lord for his love, Jesus, your life & family, and Mark’s Gospel. And pray for the people of Jesus’ Church throughout the world, including Catholics, Orthodox believers, and other Protestants.

 

Monday – Lift up the people you will be with, or have already been with, today. And pray about what you will do, or have already done, today.

 

Tuesday – Confess your sins and failures, and ask for forgiveness.

 

Wednesday – Lift up the worries and concerns you may have for yourself and others you know, as well as the woes of the world, to the throne of grace and mercy.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive.

 

Friday – Pray for your family members and friends.

 

Saturday – Pray a memorized prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer, or the words of a Psalm.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online.