Mark 6.7-29 Discussion Prompts

Introduction

• Spend some time catching up after the Christmas holidays, maybe telling stories of how you saw the Lord come to life in your family celebrations.
• Spend a bit of time reflecting on Lou’s January 3 sermon and the Acts 1 vision for our church.

The Text: Mark 6.6b-26, Page 12.21-14.5

• Read the text aloud to each other. 

Discussion Questions:

• Spend a few minutes making observations: who, where, what, connections to previous passages, repeated words…Talk also about how these stories set the stage for the next couple of chapters.
• Why does Jesus send the 12 in this way at this time? Do you think the 12 are ready for this assignment? What are we to learn about Jesus and his kingdom from this story?
• Why is this story of Herod and John inserted in the middle of the 12’s mission?
• What is Herod’s motivation for his behavior in this despicable story?
• Contrast Herod’s kingdom with that of Jesus.

Application reflections

• Has the Lord ever given you an assignment similar to that he gave to the 12? What did you learn about Jesus and his kingdom from that experience?
• Why does God allow suffering and apparently meaningless death to come to his servants? 

Pray

• During your prayer time begin to ask the Lord about an externally focused ministry, along the lines of Lou’s Jan 3 sermon, that he might have in mind for your group.