June 10, 2012

Scriptures For June 10th: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20, II Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34 theme: learning to trust God; Song- Precious Lord – UMH 474 I Samuel: This marks an important movement in the history of the Jews. God had always told them not to have a king to lead them. That king would take resources and power intended for the people. But not only did the Isrealites notice that those around them were getting ahead because they did have centralized leadership. They also realized that sometimes the judges were corrupt, and were not doing what was best for the people. So God consents and lets them have a king. Samuel has the task of anointing this first king – which is Saul. Saul remained nervous that someone would overthrow him. But God assured Samuel that he would protect the king, and that he would protect Samuel’s decision as long as Samuel was willing to listen to God through every step of the process. Mark: We have returned to the book of Mark. The story continues with evangelism. We go to work with the disciples as they are fulfilling their duty as fishermen. Jesus is teaching them to be fishers of men. Our text for today deals with the parable of the sower, which is found in many other versions. Mark explains to us that we all plant, but the growth happens in the night. We don’t have anything to do with it, and we cannot really explain how it happens. Jesus goes on to tell another parable, of how a mustard seed is the tiniest of seeds, but it multiplies into the biggest of plants. Jesus is giving us faith to hold and and trust God in examples of normal everyday life – parables. The text ends by saying that Jesus is telling these parables to help us understand the mystery of God. Questions: What big changes are going on in the world today? In the life of the church? How do we as faithful people accept change? When we are in the midst of change, do we trust God, or do we think that we have to have the answers for ourselves? What do we think about evangelism and growth? Is it something hard to do? Impossible to do? Once again, what role do we give to God in our task to bring in new members? If Jesus was here with in the flesh today, what normal everythings would he use in the parables?