Pay Close Attention to What You Hear

In one paragraph

This Monday night study worked through Mark 6:1-29, covering Jesus being rejected in Nazareth, the sending out of the twelve, and the death of John the Baptist. The thread running through all three sections was the relationship between belief and what people actually see and experience of God's power. The congregation read through the passage together and then shared their own reflections on it....

Read together

1. Mark 6:1-29 main passage read aloud and discussed throughout the sermon
2. Hebrews 12 quoted to say we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, so worship God with reverence and awe
3. Luke 7:9 cited as the other instance where Jesus marveled, this time at the Roman officer's faith
4. Matthew 5:10 quoted to say God blesses those persecuted for doing right, the kingdom of heaven is theirs
5. Mark 8 referenced as where Jesus warns disciples to beware the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod

Talk about it

1. The pastor pointed to the contrast between Jesus' hometown and the Roman officer, one group writing Jesus off because they knew his family, the other approaching him with remarkable trust before any miracle happened. What do you think makes familiarity such a barrier to faith?
2. Because of the unbelief in Nazareth, Jesus could do very little there. Florine mentioned that the few who were healed were probably those who had nothing to lose and brought what little faith they had. Has there been a time when you came to God with only a small measure of faith and saw him work through it?
3. The twelve were sent out with nothing but a walking stick and the message of the gospel, and the pastor said that meant they could not help but rely on God's provision. Where in your own life do you find it hardest to let go of your own planning and lean on God's provision the way they had to?
4. Herod respected John, felt convicted by him, liked listening to him, and even protected him from Herodias, yet none of that changed his heart or his actions. What do you think keeps a person stuck at conviction without ever moving to repentance?
5. The pastor closed with the idea that the closer we listen, the more understanding we are given, and that when we are not paying attention, even what little understanding we have can be taken away. What does paying close attention to what you hear actually look like in your daily life?