As we prepare to get back to the Gospel of Mark this Sunday, let’s first reflect on Nehemiah and our By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations emphasis. I greatly enjoyed this series on Nehemiah, and I am very, very grateful for our churches’ response to our building campaign. With pledges still coming in, over $427,000 has been committed over the next three years! That is excellent, and it does not include the fact that many prefer to simply give rather than pledge to give. Indeed, it is the giving that is important. And what is most important is the heart behind the giving. We would very much like to be able to make our monthly payment of $17,500 without having to go into our church budget. That is very doable, if we all do our part. Let us pray. Let us give. And let us trust God to provide.

This week we will study Mark 10:1-27. Like much of Mark, it is all about discipleship. Jesus addresses three areas here:

• Discipleship and marriage
• Discipleship and children
• Discipleship and possessions

As you read and pray over this highly practical text, ponder the following:

• In verses 2-12, the Pharisees want to talk about divorce, but Jesus redirects the conversation to marriage. What is God’s intention for marriage, according to verses 6-9?
• In verses 13-16, the disciples’ attitude toward little children sharply contrasts with Jesus, who sharply rebukes them for their attitude! He not only wants these little children to come, but he suggests that they somehow represent what it takes to come into the Kingdom of God. What does he mean?
• In verses 17-27, Jesus meets a young man who seems to have it all…except him. What do Jesus’ words tell us about possessions? About idolatry? About our culture? About who can be saved?

This first part of Mark 10 is amazing, and amazingly practical for disciples. The answers Jesus gives are life-changing. Read, pray, and come to worship expecting the Spirit to speak. See you then.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.