Mark Reading – W1D3
Week 1 | Day 3 | Mark 1:14-20
Pray
As you come to the reading today, write down all the things that are troubling you, giving them to God. Then ask God to open your eyes and your ears to his Word
Bible Reading (read these verses three times slowly)
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Reflection & Questions
Jesus came with a message: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” This is a victory message. After winning the battle with the devil (which we read yesterday), Jesus now announces the good news that there’s a new ruler on the block! He invites everyone to this kingdom of victory, forgiveness, and power. To join Him, you must “repent and believe the good news”. Repentance is being ready to change, to give up sin and live God’s way. We’re to burn the ships of our old life and follow him fully. Repentance is a first step in following Jesus. It is also a daily step, as we so often trip up in our walk with Him and mess up. We must also “believe the good news”. We are called to believe that God would actually accept us, change us, transform us and show his power in us. When we’re children of God, we’re on the winning team and we can trust God completely with our lives!
- Is there anything you’re holding onto that you need to leave to follow Jesus fully? Ask God to search your heart and speak to you. It may be a sin, an addiction, money, pride, busyness, etc. What is a step you could take today to leave that?
- Are you believing that God has come in power in your life? Are you walking in victory and trust, or defeat and distrust?
Pray
Talk to God about what you’ve read today and how you need to respond.
Worship Song
Today you could use the song “Burn the Ships” by For King & Country in response to the reading and in worship to God.
Bible Reading
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Reflection & Questions
Jesus came with a message: “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” This is a victory message. After winning the battle with the devil (which we read yesterday), Jesus now announces the good news that there’s a new ruler on the block, and we’re all invited! To join Him, you must “repent and believe the good news”. Do you know what repentance is? Repentance is changing how we live – from our own way, to God’s way! And how do we do that? By learning how God wants us to live, through things like reading the Bible, and going to church, and praying! Repentance is a first step in following Jesus. Jesus also says we need to “believe the good news”. This means that we believe in our hearts that Jesus really IS the Son of God, and that God really does love us! When we’re following God, we’re on the winning team and we can trust God completely with our lives!
- Do you understand what repentance is? How do you know if you’re living God’s way?
- Do you believe that God really does love you? What are some things that make you believe that?
Prayer
Talk to God about what it means to repent in your life, and how to always remember that He loves you.
Bible Reading
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Devo Focus
Mark 1:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Question
What’s more terrifying than picking teams during gym class.
Ugh. Everyone wants to be a team captain, everyone wants to be picked first and no one, I mean NO ONE wants to be picked last! When we are picked by the best player first it’s AWESOME.
In Mark 1:17 Mark picks his team and he starts with some unique choices… fishermen. He didn’t pick from the popular people. He didn’t pick the smartest people. He didn’t pick people with huge social followings. He picked fishermen. He also doesn’t just give them any task. He gives them the task to “fish for people.” The most important mission on the planet to save people for all eternity and he picks average fishermen. He calls them to join his team and catch people out of the clutches of sin to be changed forever. That’s pretty cool.
And just as Jesus picked people to do the most important mission on the planet, if you believe in Jesus, he picks you! He calls all of us to play a part to “Fish for People.”
How about you?
- Do you ever feel like you’re not worth being picked for something important?
- How does knowing that Jesus picks you for his most important mission cause you to feel?
- Who do you need to share Jesus with? Pray for them.
- What’s one step you can take towards God’s call on your life to “fish for people.”
