1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49 and Psalm 9:9-20 or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 18:10-16 and Psalm 133 •
Job 38:1-11 and Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 •
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 •
Mark 4:35-41
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."
And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."
And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him.
A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped.
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm.
He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Questions
Mark 4
Connecting with our lives Engage in dialogue:
Teaching points that can be incorporated into your discussion:
Extra activity: Watch this Bible study/sermon by Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary, on this passage from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators national conference.
Connecting with our lives Engage in dialogue:
- Why were the disciples in the boat afraid?
- Why are storms scary?
- What was Jesus doing while the storm was raging?
- How do you think the disciples felt about Jesus being asleep?
- What did Jesus do to calm the storm?
- What do you think the disciples felt as soon as the storm stopped?
- What does the word “rebuke” bring to your mind?
- What do you think it means that Jesus “rebuked” the storm?
- Why did Jesus use the words, “Peace! Be still!” to calm the storm?
- What did those simple words convey to creation and the disciples about who was in control?
- What affect do those same words have on the disciples?
- In your own life, what storms needed (or still need) to be calmed?
- What calms those storms for you?
- What are some storms in our world today that you think need to be rebuked? Calmed?
- How are these storms being rebuked or calmed?
- What is your role in rebuking or calming these storms?
Teaching points that can be incorporated into your discussion:
- Storms come in all shapes and sizes from literal thunderstorms and hurricanes to daily frustrations in families, schools and churches to societal storms such as racism, poverty, hate and cruelty.
- It is easy to forget, and yet so vitally important to remember, that no matter the storms we experience in life, Jesus is with us and has ultimate power. While we may still feel the effects of the storms, the Holy Spirit helps us trust and have faith that Jesus in not asleep, nor will he abandon us, and God is in control.
- The ways in which storms are rebuked or quieted are a varied as the storms themselves.
- In this text, Jesus is imploring the disciples to trust him in all things and times — calm and stormy. It is also asking us to have faith that Christ is the Lord of all creation and no storm is too much for him to handle or command. No storm will ever separate him from those whom he calls his own.
- We often think, or sometimes resort, to lashing out at the storms of our lives and in our world. However, we have a powerful example in Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement of the effectiveness of a nonviolent approach. Even the face of the storm of racism and hatred, practicing active peace can be a louder, and more effective, rebuke.
Extra activity: Watch this Bible study/sermon by Brian Blount, president of Union Presbyterian Seminary, on this passage from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators national conference.
PRAYground is Open Every Sunday
PRAYground last Sunday
PRAYground last Sunday
Our Prayground moves inside this Sunday and for this Summer
Q&A on what a Prayground is and discussion
Q&A on what a Prayground is and discussion
The Nursery will open again inside on Sundays
Children of all ages are always welcome outside to roam around the PRAYground during the 9:00 and 11:00 services.
Meet Janae and Lindsey who will be caring for our cherished children.
Message from Lindsey Gabler:
"I’m a second-year student at University of Georgia and I've worked in Palma Ceia’s Nursery for the last five years. In my free time I like to spend time with my friends or play lacrosse. I also enjoy reading and watching movies with my family. Working with kids is so much fun as they’re always energetic and creative. I enjoy playing with them and being silly. Children make me laugh! When the children are tired, I like to read books to them. Working in the nursery exposes me to many different kids and I feel as though I learn something new every day! I’m looking forward to being back with the children of Palma Ceia this Summer!" |
Message from Janae Gipson:
"I have always loved working and being around children. I volunteered for four years at St. Paul’s Catholic Church nursery every Sunday. I volunteer weekly at Gigi’s Playhouse, a Downs Syndrome Achievement Center and at Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary. I really enjoy children and believe that they make the world so much better. Although I have the most experience with nannying and babysitting with children of all ages, I prefer to work with infants and babies under two years. I’ve just graduated from Brooks-Debartolo Collegiate High School in Tampa and am entering Hillsborough Community College in the fall in Child Development. I am CPR and first aid certified. I’m looking forward to spending time with the children at Palma Ceia." |