The Blog Bible Study - December: Beyond the Boundaries

Theme Verse: "How many loaves have you? Go and see..." - Mark 6:38

Opening Prayer: Mighty God, you open wide your hand and sustain all living things. Open our lives that we might be fed by your Word; in Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Introduction: Earlier this week I attended an event for clergy passionate about social action. Anita Hill, an ELCA pastor in St. Paul, spoke about being a prophetic voice at the fringe of society. It's hard to be radical when we're steeped in the status quo. There's more to lose and it's harder to create change from the middle of our comfort zones. Jesus calls us to be a prophetic voice on the edges of society. Like a river, the fastest flow and the risky spots and the newest growth happens along the shoreline. It's harder out there. It's scrappier. But that's where Jesus is in these chapters of Mark and it's where we're called to be, too.


Setting the Scene: We begin in Mark 6:30 as the attention turns from John the Baptist's death to the public and foreign ministry of Jesus. There is already a pattern of retreat, rest and renewal happening in Mark and it's good to know that even Jesus needed to refuel every now and then. He first went to a deserted place in chapter one after his baptism. There he prayed and spent time with God apart from distractions. Now he invites the disciples to come with him for these same reasons. He shows them how to sabbath.


Loaves and Fishes: Read Mark 6:30-44.
While that retreat was well intentioned, it didn't last long! The crowds followed on foot and soon there are thousands in the desert with them. Jesus and the disciples react differently to the situation at hand. So many people in the middle of nowhere! It's getting late and Jesus should stop teaching so they can all head into town to buy food.


Their concern is compassionate, but consumed by logistics. Instead of taking a break and sending them all away, Jesus illustrates abundant life and God's blessing by showing the crowds that there is more than enough. He widens their lens and exceeds their expectations. Jesus compassion transcends logistics and he calls the disciples to participate in the miracle. You give them something to eat. Go and see how many loaves and fish there are. Get everyone to sit down in groups. Pass the food out. Collect the leftovers.  People are renewed.

1. What hunger initiatives do you support through your congregation, the wider church and other organizations?
2. Why does food remain such an important part of the church's ministry today?
3. Compare Mark 6:41 to Mark 14:22. What does this mean for your everyday bread? What does this mean for the Holy Communion we share?

From Here to There: Read Mark 6:45-56
Again, Jesus takes time to be alone and refueled by God in prayer. When life interrupts the time we mean for solitude, reflection and prayer, it's okay to try again once the crowds disperse! Again, we see Jesus' power to calm the seas and are reminded of his intimate connection with the God of Israel in Exodus 3:14. "It is I," sounds like God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, "I am who I am".


The disciples are puzzled and we are reminded once again that following Jesus doesn't mean we have it all figured out. Being a disciples doesn't mean having all the answers or being confident all the time. It means being scared and confused and hopeful...and caught up in the wonderment anyway!


The Tradition of the Elders: Read Mark 7:1-8
Ah, the sweet tension of old traditions and new ideas! The church in every age knows these conversations well. Note that verses 3-4 appear in parentheses. Mark wanted to make clear to all readers, even Gentiles unfamiliar with Jewish rituals, why ritual cleanliness before eating was important. Read Isaiah 29:13-16 to better understand the passage Jesus is quoting in order to remind his audience of the difference between God's word and the traditions we develop around our interpretation of God's word.

1. Can you think of some tensions that arise between established traditions and fresh innovations today? 
2. How do both tradition and innovation contribute to the vitality of life at St. John's?

A Place at the Table: Read Mark 7:24-30
Mark's gospel is filled with interruptions that prove to be the best stories we have about Jesus' life. It seems he is often on his way from one place to another when someone gets in his way with a desperate plea. Here Jesus is far from home in a diverse land that is now part of Lebanon. Racial and religious tensions are high and Jesus meets her begging with what seems to be disinterest and disgust. But she persists with clever words. She preaches to him. She tells him about how wide God's mercy can be. And then her life is changed. In a moment, Jesus calls her into the abundant grace and life of God and her daughter is made well.

1. How does position and privilege play out in the world today? Are there some in your own neighborhood with greater access to health care and education than others? How are you called to participate in that struggle and conversation?
2. What connection do you see between this story and the reception of women's voices in the church today?

The Word is Out: Read Mark 7:31-37
The Decapolis or "Ten Cities" is an urban setting rich with diversity, but far from home. How do they already know about Jesus? Word has gotten out. This is the place our friend in chains from Mark 5:1-21 went proclaiming the good news just a few chapters ago. While John the Baptist has been killed and Jesus is aware of the political implications of his ministry, keeping the gospel of Jesus Christ under wraps is becoming impossible. Jesus opens more than the man's ears and mouth - he opens a whole new world for those excluded and hurting. Each healing reminds readers that this gift of Christ transforms our whole beings in ways we cannot hide and ignore.  The secret is out.


Looking Ahead: Next month we'll consider all we've learned about Jesus' identity in this first half of Mark's gospel. Some have sought out Jesus and believe fervently. Some are curious and skeptical. Others are fearful and insecure. What do you think of this one "who has done everything well" (7:37)?


Closing Prayer: Gracious God, in Jesus we learn to see the whole world in a new way. We thank you for those who have taught us to see strangers and foreigners, refugees and immigrants as your children, too. Amen.

St. John's Book Club's Next Pick

Next Book: "Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith" by Jon Krakauer
Next Meeting: Sunday, January 8 at 12pm in the Lounge

The book club met on Sunday at noon to discuss "A Great Improvisation" by Stacy Schiff. Some read the whole thing. Some read most of it. Some admitted to reading just a few pages. But together, we had a good discussion about Ben Franklin's effect on American foreign policy and the birth of America.

We all agreed to choose a shorter piece for our next choice. Several good books were suggested and Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer just barely edged out Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. Maybe Sarah's Key will be our fourth choice!

This is where I need to apologize to Bill Matson. I assured him that "Under the Banner of Heaven" was less than 300 pages in length. Boy, did I blush when I pulled it off my shelf last night and realized it's 380 pages! Sorry, Bill. But the two who recommended this book assure us that it's a fast read and difficult to put down.

Click here to learn about Under the Banner of Heaven and to order it from Amazon.com. We will have no trouble diving into discussions about the nature of faith and the Word of God after sharing this story! Join us in the St. John's lounge on January 8, 2012 at noon for discussion. Bring a bag lunch and a quotation that stayed with you even after you finished the book. Thanks again to those who have come together for this Book Club journey. It's fun to read with others who are new to the book club experience and a great way to become better acquainted with our brothers and sisters at St. John's

- Pastor Meta

The Blog Bible Study - November: Power & Authority

Theme Verse: He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” – Mark 4:40

Opening Prayer: Holy God, be in our study and our learning. Fill us with understanding and fruitful living, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Introduction: Mark is moving quickly from his thesis statement in 1:1 to the cross. Everything he chooses to include until the crucifixion is here only because it points to the death and resurrection that change the whole world. Each healing, teaching, conversation and journey help Mark show us that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

A Bit of Background: The momentum is ramping up in Chapter 4. Jesus is surrounded by crowds wherever he goes and begins teaching in parables about the kingdom of God. For the next few chapters, the Sea of Galilee is a looming character. Jesus gets in a boat several times and “goes to the other side”. This movement is more radical than a pontoon ride across Lake Minnetonka – crossing over means encountering new people, religions, cultures and superstitions each time. Sometimes Jesus and his Jewish followers were very out of place, so listen for hospitality or lack of welcome wherever he goes.

Teaching with Parables: Read Mark 4:1-20

Jesus sat with the crowds like a Rabbi would do in those days. Jesus concluded parables with words like 4:9 frequently, always inviting listeners to hear with their whole bodies and their whole lives.  These words were familiar to his Jewish students, who remember Isaiah (28:23) and Jeremiah (5:21) using similar phrases.

When Jesus is alone with his disciples in 4:10-12, he begins speaking about God’s kingdom in terms of “insiders” and “outsiders”. There are mysteries about God’s will in this world that require our belief and God’s revealing. And it’s true! When we believe in the power of Holy Communion, the meal becomes more than a piece of bread and a sip of wine. Baptism becomes more than a few words and tap water. They mean something because God’s power in ordinary places has been revealed to us through the Word – scripture and Christ.

1. This is a powerful theme in many popular books and movies. Can you remember the power of revelation – layers of mysteries some can see and others can’t – in popular works like Harry Potter, the Wizard of Oz, It’s a Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings and other classics?
2. Can you name a time in your life when the word of God spoke so compellingly to you that your response was clear and strong? Or does God often deal with you more subtly, with hints and nudges that you only later understand? Why are some seasons in our lives so fertile and others more like the rocky soil or thorny patch? 

 In the Boat with Jesus: Read Mark 4:35-41
The Sea of Galilee is surrounded by high hills and weather, so weather on the water could change quite rapidly. As the move across the water again, Jesus has fallen asleep in the boat. It's good to know Jesus needs rest from work, too! Their question for Jesus in the midst of the storm is an ancient one: Don't you care that we're dying? Look to Psalm 42 or Psalm 46:1-3 to see this concern set in another scriptural context.

1. How does Jesus show that he does care they're dying?
2. Mark 4:41 proves that, while these followers are faithful, they're still learning what Jesus' power and authority mean for their lives. How are you still learning about the power and authority of Jesus?

Back and Forth Again: Read Mark Chapter 5
If I were a disciple with Jesus at the end of Chapter 4, I'm not sure I would have boarded the boat for "the other side". Things were going well. The crowds were huge and people were receiving Jesus with open hearts. Why would we leave that for a land where we might not be so well received? People there did not read the Torah or follow kosher laws. It could get hostile.

If you only read one chapter of Mark this month, read Chapter 5. Jesus goes over to the other side and comes face to face with a foreign social system. And then he turns everything upside down when he sets the man in chains free from demons, being different and shame. It's created chaos and the people want him to leave. Change is hard. Jesus is uncomfortable. And while the man in chains wishes to follow Jesus back across the sea, Jesus sends him deeper into his own culture and community as a new witness. It's risky. It's a church plant. It's mission.

When Jesus returns to familiar territory, he heals immediately. The woman has been hemorraging for as long as the little girl has been alive. It's two stories of desperation. Two stories of new life. One interrupted the other and we are reminded that real life happens in the interruptions. The whole story unfolds while Jesus is, once again, on the move.

1. Do you know someone who has suffered for a long time without relief? If so, how can you offer healing and support?
2. Can you think of a time your schedule or expectations were interrupted by something that came to be more important than what you had in mind?

Looking Ahead
In Chapter 6 Jesus returns home. Like members of his childhood community, we begin to wonder about this man. Who is he? How is this boy who grew up next door capable of such things? His power and authority are questioned, but two things are now certain: his reputation as a teacher and healer are well established and he cares deeply for all the people he encounters.

Closing Prayer: Gracious Savior, we lift before you all those we know who are dealing with chronic illness, those in crisis, and all who bring comfort and healing to those weighed down by disease. We thank you for your healing mercy, praying in the name of Christ Jesus, our solace and our hope. Amen.