“one of the greatest injustices we do to our young people...
TRANSCRIPT
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“One of the greatest injustices we do to our young people is to ask them to be conservative. Christianity is not conservative, but revolutionary.” - Francis Schaeffer
‘The Revolution of Man’ is the new sermon series by City on a Hill exploring Mark’s account of the most notable historical figure this world has ever seen.
From Jerusalem then to our world today, Jesus continues to revolutionise cities, nations, and the epicentre of human existence - our heart, mind and soul.
Do you know this man? Are you ready for the revolution?
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Within its pages, the scriptures are often likened to food. We need food for our bodies, and we need food for our spirits – and God’s word offers sustenance for life (Matthew 4:4). Just like food, we need it regularly. So we encourage you to follow this guide. Schedule it in; commit to reading the passages each week.
As you read through the passages we encourage you to stop and reflect. You will find it really useful to keep a journal, writing down your questions and observations; this will help you go deeper, and really think through the passage. We’ve offered some questions for each week – but as a general rule, ask yourself what each passage teaches you about God, and what it teaches you about yourself.
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God’s word is powerful, and so we read it expectantly, eager to see how God will use each passage to teach, correct, reprove, train and equip us (2 Timothy 3:16-17) for life with Him. A great first response is always to pray; God is speaking to you, so respond to Him! Write down your prayers in a journal; this will help clarify what God is doing within you – and will, in time, provide a wonderful record of God’s faithfulness. Beyond that, try to find practical ways to respond – things you need to stop doing, and things you can start doing.
When God gave His people His commandments in the Old Testament, He wanted them to be ‘on (their) heart’ – taught to their children, spoken about at home, on the road, in the evening, in the morning (Deuteronomy 6:5-8). Memorising God’s words keeps them present in our hearts and minds throughout the day, allowing His truth to shape everything we do. We’ve provided a key memory verse in this guide and each week select words will be removed from the verse to help you memorise it.
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R E A D
Mark 1:1-45
R E F L E C T
1. What comes to mind when you read the opening line of Mark’s Gospel?
2. How do you see yourself as a fisher of men?
3. Repentance and belief are an ongoing part of the Christian life, how do you wrestle with these two things?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 2:1-28
R E F L E C T
1. God is called ‘The Great Physician’. Does this make you see Him differently or love Him more? How does this help clarify Jesus’ role in your life?
2. If Jesus came and visited you today, how would He rebuke you in your ‘religiosity’?
3. What is a radical way we can show love to the ‘tax collectors’ in our lives?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and _____ say, Elijah; and _____, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 3:1-35
R E F L E C T
1. Are there aspects of your life where you find yourself with a hardness of heart towards Jesus?
2. Are there areas of your life where you sense the Holy Spirit?
3. How do you view the Christian community? Do you view and behave with fellow believers like they are as close as your own mother and brothers?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ say that I am?” And they told him, “____ the Baptist; and _____ say, _____; and _____, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 4:1-41
R E F L E C T
1. To what extent do you find yourself with an appetite for the word of God and believing it?
2. What are some thorns in your life that choke the word of God and make your Christian life unfruitful?
3. The disciples reveal that despite being close to Jesus, they’re still not quite sure who He is and what He is capable of? How do you relate to this attitude or understanding?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that I am?” And they told him, “____ the Baptist; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you ___ that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 5:1-43
R E F L E C T
1. What are your thoughts about spiritual warfare? Because of Jesus, Satan has limited power and dominion over us, how does this make you feel knowing Jesus is continually going to battle for us?
2. When was the last time you came before God and disclosed your whole heart? Do you need to do it today?
3. “Do not fear, only believe”? What resonates for you through these words of Jesus?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they told him, “____ the Baptist; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you ___ that _ __?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 6:1-56
R E F L E C T
1. In the story of feeding the five thousand, why did Jesus ask, “how many loaves do you have”?
2. Why are the miracles of Jesus important?
3. How do you see the value of hospitality?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they told him, “____ the ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he asked them, “But who do you ___ that _ __?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 7:1-37
R E F L E C T
1. The pharisees and scribes were experts in scripture. “Your disciples aren’t washing their hands”, they said to which Jesus replied, “evil things come from within”. When was the last time you did a self/heart examination?
2. When have you used scripture to pursue your own ambitions rather than God’s?
3. Does your life reflect what you sing on Sundays? Is your heart connected?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they told him, “____ the ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he ______ them, “But who do you ___ that _ __?” _____ answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 8:1-38
R E F L E C T
1. Who do you really say that Jesus is?
2. How has confessing in your heart that Jesus is the Christ practically affected your life?
3. Do you have any friends or family who confess Christ with their lips, but don’t live as ‘Christians’? How can you, in love, speak/confront/encourage those people?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they ____ him, “____ the ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he ______ them, “But who do you ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 9:1-50
R E F L E C T
1. “I believe; help my unbelief!” How does this cry resonate with you?
2. Getting gifts is the best... but do you get joy in serving others?
3. When have you given up a position of authority to take on a position of servanthood?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“Who do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they ____ him, “____ the ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he ______ them, “But ___ do you ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ him, “You are the ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 10:1-52
R E F L E C T
1. Which of the 10 commandments has the rich young man missed? (See Exodus 20:1-21)
2. How does the rich young man’s response reflect his heart?
3. What part of your life are you not willing to give to God?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ do _____ ___ that _ __?” And they ____ ___, “____ the ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he ______ them, “But ___ do you ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ him, “___ are the ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 11:1-33
R E F L E C T
1. Where does prayer fit into your life?
2. What does God desire from our prayers?
3. Spend a few minutes reflecting on the lesson from the withered fig tree (Mark 11:20-26). How does it speak to you?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ that _ __?” And they ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And he ______ them, “But ___ do ___ ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ him, “___ are the ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 12:1-44
R E F L E C T
1. How do the two great commandments play out in your life? Which one do you put first?
2. Read Mark 12:38-40. How do you think people of this kind might look today? Are there people of this kind amongst you in your life?
3. How is your faith connected to your finances? Where do you choose where to spend your money?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ ____ _ __?” And ____ ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; and _____ ___, _____; and _____, one of the ______.” And __ ______ them, “But ___ do ___ ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ ___, “___ are ___ ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 13:1-37
R E F L E C T
1. Why is Jesus warning His disciples to “be on guard”? For which future situations is He preparing them?
2. In what situations do you have the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel? What suffering might that lead to?
3. “Stay awake!” Recognising that Jesus will return like a master returning to his home at any time, how does that influence the way you live life day to day?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ ____ _ __?” ___ ____ ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; ___ _____ ___, _____; ___ _____, one of the ______.” ___ __ ______ them, “But ___ do ___ ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ ___, “___ are ___ ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 14:1-72
R E F L E C T
1. How are you moved by the story of the woman with the alabaster jar pouring ointment on Jesus? What act or service could you do for someone you know for the sheer beauty of it?
2. Describe Jesus’ experience of sorrow and distress (Mark 14:33-34). How does His experience in the garden of Gethsemane shape your understanding of His character?
3. Peter’s denial of Jesus is a confronting story. Are there any areas of your life where you might be denying your faith in Jesus?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ ____ _ __?” ___ ____ ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; ___ _____ ___, _____; ___ _____, ___ of ___ ______.” ___ __ ______ them, “But ___ do ___ ___ that _ __?” _____ ________ ___, “___ ___ ___ ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 15:1-47
R E F L E C T
1. On the cross Jesus cries, “Why have you forsaken me?” Has there been a moment where you have had the same thought as Jesus? How did you come to see that God had in fact not forsaken you?
2. When Jesus breathed His last, the centurion exclaimed “truly that was the Son of God.” What has been a time where you have seen God clearly at work that has caused you to be similarly in awe?
3. How are you struck and moved by the power and meaning of the cross?
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ ____ _ __?” ___ ____ ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; ___ _____ ___, _____; ___ _____, ___ of ___ ______.” ___ __ ______ ____, “____ ___ do ___ ___ ____ _ __?” _____ ________ ___, “___ ___ ___ ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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R E A D
Mark 16:1-8
R E F L E C T
1. The women who went to the tomb were bewildered and trembling in awe of Jesus’ resurrection. Try to imagine yourself in their situation. How might you have responded?
2. How does the resurrection give you confidence on earth now? How does it shift the way you think and act?
3. The Jewish people were waiting for Jesus when He came and we are waiting for Jesus to return again! Take some time to reflect on what it might be like when you meet Jesus face to face.
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R E S P O N D
R E M E M B E R
“___ __ _____ ___ ____ _ __?” ___ ____ ____ ___, “____ ___ ______; ___ _____ ___, _____; ___ _____, ___ __ ___ ______.” ___ __ ______ ____, “____ ___ __ ___ ___ ____ _ __?” _____ ________ ___, “___ ___ ___ ______.” – Mark 8:27b-29
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