THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
Please be sure to check your email for an important message from us about Ada Bible’s recommendations for small groups during this season. We encourage you to meet with your groups online, and the email shares details about four platforms you might try as a group.
GROUP VALUES
Thanksgiving is approaching, and now is a great time to implement the spiritual practice of gratitude and praise. Read together Philippians 4:6, and take turns going around your group sharing something you are grateful for this year as a way to offer praise and thanks to God for His blessings.
GROW AS A LEADER
Looking for something fun and informative to do over the Thanksgiving weekend? Check out our leader training module Rescue Academy, an online course by Mike Foster. This module focuses on helping you counsel and coach people who are struggling. Find Rescue Academy and our other great leader training modules at learning.adabible.org/small-groups.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
This week we continue The Company of Christ with a message by guest John Dickson. We take a look at the central theme of Mark.
What’s one thing you are thankful for today? Share with the group.
Open your journal to pages 75-76 and take turns reading through Mark 8:27-9:8. What are some of the key interactions in this passage?
IDENTITY OF THE MESSIAH
The crowds seemed to respect Jesus as a prophet and miracle worker. But he’s more than that. What are some typical views of Jesus today?
Jesus pushes his disciples to tell him who they think he is. We all have to decide this for ourselves. One of the big questions Mark attempts to answer is, “Who is Jesus?” How would you answer that?
MISSION OF THE MESSIAH
Jesus tells his disciples what is going to happen to him. Peter has a different goal for Jesus. Jesus rebukes him. Why do you think it can be easy for us to want Jesus to fit into our goals instead of submitting our lives to his mission?
FOLLOWING THE MESSIAH
Jesus contrasts two ways of thinking about the messiah. One is through conquering the world, and the other is through service. He says his way is suffering and service. How can we model suffering and serving to those around us?
John Dickson said that we will never persuade the world about the gospel unless we look like it. Why do you think this is true?
CREDENTIALS OF JESUS
To the people of Jesus’ day, the prophets and the law (represented by Elijah and Moses) summed up the Scriptures. Jesus is transfigured and glows radiantly with Elijah and Moses. What do you think it would’ve been like to be Peter, James or John?
God the Father appears in a cloud and says, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” What’s one simple step you can take to listen to Jesus more?
WRAP UP
This week we looked at Jesus as Messiah. Turn to page 78 in your journal. Does anyone have anything else written they want to discuss
Today’s story is the center of Mark’s gospel (both physically and thematically) and the central theme of the Bible. Which section of today’s discussion challenged or encouraged you the most? What’s one step you can take this week to join Jesus on his mission?
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