October 2009 DEVOTIONALS Main Devotional Page October 1 Focus Story: Read Mark 5:1-20 Use these questions to reflect on what you have read: Is there a person known in your community as someone to avoid? Describe the reasons you are told to avoid this person. Is there someone who always seems to avoid you? Why do you think this person always avoids you? The man in today’s focus story is possessed by a great multitude of demons. How else is he described? Would you avoid him? Why does Jesus approach him? After the pigs drown in the lake, what do the herdsmen do? What is the reaction of the townspeople? Sometimes the power of Jesus can be very frightening, we do not understand what is happening and we are scared. What about the powers of Jesus frightens you? The man who was healed wanted to travel with Jesus, but Jesus had a different task for him. What did Jesus ask him to do? Who might Jesus be calling you to tell about your faith? <back to top> October 2 Read Mark Chapter 5 Praying Together as a family (a family can be an individual with a friend, two married people, two people with children at home or out of the house, two people who live together and much more) Praying together as a family is a special time. Light a candle to remember God is in your midst as you pray. Be sure there are no distractions while you pray. Agree not to answer the phone. Turn off the TV and radio. Pray together: O Shepherd Jesus, thank you for making a difference in our life and giving us the gift of forgiveness. Guide us as we share our faith with someone who needs to experience your love, too. Amen Talk about a news story that causes people to be frightened. Ask God to comfort those who daily experience fear because of war, terror or hunger. Who do you turn to when you are frightened? Ask God to be present with you when you are frightened. Conclude your time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. (Traditional Version) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen<back to top> October 3 No Devotional <back to top> October 4 Persons of Interest: Francis of Assisi, renewer of the church, died 1226 Theodor Fliedner, renewer of society, died 1864 <back to top> October 5 Read Mark Chapter 6 Bible Concept: Jesus and John the Baptist When Jesus walked this earth, people were often confused about who he was. The Gospels weren’t written yet to tell them about who he was and what he would do for them on a cross. They knew Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, but besides Jesus, there were a lot of prophets claiming to be God’s son, each with their own understanding of how to get on God’s good side and get into heaven. There were also a lot of prophecies in the Old Testament regarding who the Savior might be and how we would know the Savior had come. Elijah was a well-known prophet who was taken into heaven by God on a chariot of fire. You can read about Elijah in 1st and 2nd Kings. Many Jewish people believed Elijah had to return from heaven on a chariot of fire to proclaim that God’s redeemer was coming to save Israel. The Roman governor Herod believed Jesus was John the Baptist, whom Herod beheaded at the request of his daughter. But John the Baptist and Jesus were two different people. They were actually born a few months apart and it is believed that their mothers were related (see Luke Chapter 2). Early Christians believed John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah by preparing the way for Jesus (refer back to Mark chapter 1, verses 2-8). Our faith teaches that we are to believe Jesus is God’s Son, that is, God’s Word as a human being. As God’s Word, Jesus was with God at creation, and remains with God for eternity, and by the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has opened the way for us to everlasting life. With God the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus completes the Trinity, which is the mysterious way in which we experience our God, who as the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit has created us, saves us, and daily renews us as the forgiven children of God. The Gospel of Mark is very clear that only Jesus is God’s Son, not John the Baptist or any other prophet, and only Jesus fully embodies in human flesh the mystery of the Trinity.<back to top> October 6 Read Mark Chapter 6 Memory Verse: Chapter 6, Verse 37 – feel free to highlight, underline or circle this verse in your Bible But Jesus said, You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “It would take a small fortune to buy food for all this crowd.” New Living Translation (NLT) But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Are we to go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give it to them to eat?” New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Reflect on that statement for a moment. How does Jesus provide you with enough that you can share with those who don’t have enough? Person of Interest: William Tyndale, translator, martyr, died 1536 <back to top> October 7 Read Mark Chapter 6 Definition: Denarii Denarii is a plural word for Denarius, a Roman silver coin worth about a day’s wages for a laborer. If you want to know what this equals in today’s money, take minimum wage, roughly $5.50 an hour, multiply that by 8 hours to get $44 and then think about that multiplied by 200 to get $8800. Can you imagine needing that much money to feed all the people who were present on the day Jesus fed more than 5000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? Person of Interest: Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, pastor in North America, died 1787 <back to top> October 8 Focus Story: Read Mark Chapter 6:6b-13 Use these questions to reflect on what you have read: What errands do you do (or remember doing) for your parents? How does it make you feel when your parents trusted you with this errand? What does Jesus send his 12 disciples to do? What were they to take with them as they went? What was the result of their mission? Did you notice that Jesus sent his 12 out in pairs, not alone, but with someone to help them. Who is someone you are close to that you go to church with and talk about your faith with and do church activities with? Faith partners are important. A faith partner can be someone from the church you attend, or someone who attends a different church. A faith partner should be someone who shares your faith in Christ and is someone you are comfortable talking to about your faith, and acknowledging when you have sinned, and when you have prayed, and when you have received from God good gifts and so forth. If you haven’t found a faith partner yet, is there someone you could talk to and say, “Jesus wants us to go on this faith journey with someone else. Will you be my partner in faith?” <back to top> October 9 Read Mark Chapter 6 Praying together as a family is a special time. Light a candle to remember that God is present in your midst as you pray. As you ask God to bless your items tonight, place your hands on each item. Touch is an important element of prayer. Pray together: O Heavenly Provider, you have blessed us with so much stuff, help us to share from our plenty that everyone may have something. Amen What is a local agency that takes donations of old clothes, toys or even canned/boxed foods? Take an inventory of your house, are there old clothes, toys or even food in the pantry which you could share today? Gather them together, ask God to bless them as you share. Conclude your time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. (Contemporary Version) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen <back to top> October 10 No Devotional <back to top> October 11 No Devotional <back to top> October 12 Read Mark Chapter 7 Bible Concept: Who’s Who in Ancient Judaism One of the more difficult tasks of reading the Bible is keeping track of all the groups Jesus encounters. In chapter 7, the first story talks about Pharisees. Other groups mentioned in the Gospel include the Sadducees, the scribes, priests, rabbis and the Sanhedrin (san, like sand with no ‘d’, he, like the pronoun, drin, like drink without the ‘k’). Here are brief descriptions of each of these groups: Pharisees: This group of men was particularly interested in following God’s law very exactly. They observed ritual purity laws and refused to associate with anyone who did not keep God’s law as they did. Priests: Priests served in God’s temple performing the religious sacrifices and any of the rituals that the Law of God told them to do. They were seen as mediators between the regular people and God. Sadducees: Little is known about this group within Judaism at the time of Jesus. It is known that they did not believe in life after death or angels or spirits. They are often lumped with the Pharisees as opponents to Jesus’ message. Scribes: Another common word used to talk about those who opposed Jesus. Scribes were those who could read and write. They were not so much a separate group with a political agenda or certain religious beliefs, they were simply a class of people who were highly educated. Rabbis: This word has been translated “Teacher.” A rabbi would have students and be very centered on teaching the law. Rabbis were also leaders of the synagogues. Sanhedrin: This was a group of the leaders. Differing sources debate over who exactly was in the Sanhedrin. Most likely the Chief priest, leading elders, Pharisees, and other important people in Jerusalem made up the Sanhedrin. In the Gospels, it is clear this is the group that judged Jesus and handed him over to be crucified. <back to top> October 13 Read Mark Chapter 7 Memory Verse: Chapter 7, Verse 28 – feel free to highlight, underline or circle this verse in your Bible She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are given some crumbs from the children’s plates.” New Living Translation (NLT) But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Reflect on that statement for a moment. This woman was very bold. She was not going to leave Jesus without Jesus helping her. She argues with him, and tells Jesus why he must help her. What does this teach us about prayer? <back to top> October 14 Read Mark Chapter 7 Definition: A Bible Dictionary Having a dictionary with you when you read the Bible can be a helpful tool. Verses 21-22 have many words that could be looked up. Fornication, avarice, licentiousness, slander, folly, are just a few examples from the NRSV. The Bible gives us moral guidance, but if we don’t understand the concepts it is telling us to stay away from, how can we? Look these words up in your regular English dictionary and talk about why we are to avoid these behaviors.<back to top> October 15 Focus Story: Read Mark Chapter 7:31-37 Use these questions to reflect on what you have read: Has anyone tried to tell you something but no matter how they said it, you just didn’t understand? How does it make you feel when you can’t understand a friend or a parent? In those days modern science did not exist, so Jesus uses a rather strange technique to heal this man. Jesus heals the man by doing what? What kind of faith do you think it takes for someone to come to Jesus to be healed? Jesus says in Aramaic, “Ephphatha” (pronounced ef—fa—tha) which means “Be Opened!” What kind of faith does Jesus have that he can say “Be Opened!” and it is? Jesus asks the crowds not to tell anyone, yet they cannot keep silent, they have to tell what Jesus has done. Why do you think it is important that the crowds tell what Jesus have done? In a story shortly after this, the disciples cannot see that what Jesus is doing shows them that he is God’s son. Also, they are unable to hear the message from Jesus which plainly tells them who he is. How does reading the Bible help you to open your eyes and ears to see the work and hear the words of Jesus in your life? Person of Interest: Teresa of Avila, teacher, renewer of the church, died 1582 <back to top> October 16 Read Mark Chapter 7 Praying together as a family is a special time. Light a candle to remember that God is present in your midst as you pray. Kneeling is a traditional prayer position, try kneeling tonight as a family. Pray together: O merciful healer, touch us with your hands, that we may be cured of whatever makes us sick. May our eyes be opened to your love and our ears open to hear your sweet message of grace. Amen People do amazing things in our community which help others. Who is someone you know who reaches out to heal the sick, to comfort the elderly, or simply makes a difference in other people’s lives? Ask God to bless this person in his/her work. Conclude your time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. (Traditional Version) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen<back to top> October 17 Person of Interest: Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, martyr, died circa 115 <back to top> October 18 No Devotional <back to top> October 19 Read Mark Chapter 8 Bible Concept: Ancient Middle East Geography Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Israel, these are a few of the more commonly known places talked about in the Bible. Dalmanutha, Bethsaida, Galilee, Caesaria Philippi, these are some other places talked about in chapter 8 of Mark’s Gospel. The geography and political terrain of the Middle East looked quite different when Jesus walked this earth. Some of these places, like Jerusalem and Bethlehem, can still be found on modern maps today. Some places, like Galilee and Caesaria Philippi may still exist, but with different names. A great tool to have with you as you read your Bible is a map which shows where all these places are. Some Bibles have a section of maps, either at the front, back or in the middle. Bible atlases are available for a good price at local Christian bookstores and sometimes at any store that sells books. These atlases tell us about the geography and the politics that were all very important at the time. Jesus travels a lot. As you read the Bible, trace a line of Jesus’ journeys on your map and see where all he went. This helps you understand the movements that are taking place during the Gospel. Some Bible atlases also have descriptions of the culture, foods, economy and politics that were happening at the time Jesus lived. Following Jesus’ travels by using an atlas will help you to further experience the world that Jesus experienced. Learning about modern day geography and politics of the Middle East is just as important. The Middle East is often in the news as a place of terrorism, conflict and animosity between peoples. Becoming familiar with the people, culture and politics helps us to understand why we pray for these people and for peace in a place which is so filled with hatred and war. Person of Interest: Luke, Evangelist (Gospel writer) <back to top> October 20 Read Mark Chapter 8 Memory Verse: Chapter 8, Verse 29 – feel free to highlight, underline or circle this verse in your Bible Then Jesus said, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” New Living Translation (NLT) He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Reflect on that statement for a moment. Remember the first verse of the Gospel of Mark? “Here begins the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.” Peter confesses in this verse that he understands that Jesus is the Messiah. Having read 8 chapters of this Gospel, who do you believe Jesus to be? <back to top> October 21 Read Mark Chapter 8 Definition: A Sign Jesus is asked to give a sign from heaven to prove who he is. A sign from heaven is something that is miraculous, beyond explanation. The Pharisees who ask Jesus for the sign do not believe that his works have been genuine miracles. They want something even more spectacular. By refusing to give them the sign, Jesus is saying it takes faith to see God is present through his deeds, and if you don’t have faith you can’t see the signs which are already present all around you. <back to top> October 22 Focus Story: Read Mark Chapter 8:31-38 Use these questions to reflect on what you have read: Talk about a time when a friend said something so shocking to you, that your only response was “Friend, you’re scaring me!” What is the most shocking thing you have heard lately? To be Messiah, what must Jesus do? Peter, who just confessed that he believed Jesus to be the Messiah, tries to tell Jesus how to be Messiah. Why do you think it is hard for Peter to understand that Jesus must die? Joke: How do you make God laugh? Answer: Tell him your plan. God’s plan for Jesus may not be easy to understand, yet it is the way it had to be. In verse 33, Jesus tells us that we only see things from a human point of view, not from God’s point of view. Jesus knows he will die, but he also knows what will happen after he dies. Because we know the rest of the story, what will happen after he dies? If we understand that our life on earth will end, and that Jesus has given us a new life in heaven, a new life called resurrection, how then are we to live our life now? It is difficult to give up the things that we like and enjoy in this life, but what are some things in your life that God would like to see you give up, so that you can follow Jesus and lead a godly life? <back to top> October 23 Read Mark Chapter 8 Praying together as a family is a special time. Light a candle to remember that God is present in your midst as you pray. Hold hands as you pray together tonight. Remember safe touches, like holding hands and giving hugs, are important. Pray together: O Crucified and Risen One, you teach us what it means to give everything up for another. Help us to give up something in our life, that we can walk closer with you and grow in faith. Amen. Showing our gratitude for what God has given is an important task in our prayer life. Not only are we to give something up, we are to be thankful for what we have been given. Talk about the many blessings in your life and give thanks to God for them. Conclude your time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. (Contemporary Version) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen Person of Interest: James of Jerusalem, martyr, circa 62 <back to top> October 24 No Devotional <back to top> October 25 No Devotional <back to top> October 26 Read Mark Chapter 9 Bible Concept: Demon Possession Demon possession is common in the Gospel. We regularly read stories of Jesus casting out demons. Yet in our day, we do not talk about demon possession. Faith healers who publicly travel around casting out demons are not common and if someone does claim to cast out demons, skeptics tell us why we should not believe these claims. In the ancient world, many cultures believed there were spirits present throughout nature. These spirits could be good or evil. Around 300-400 years before Jesus was born, this concept of spirits grew to an understanding that there were many evil demons, with a leader named Satan. In the Old Testament, the understanding of who Satan was gradually changed. In Genesis chapter 3, the serpent is sometimes associated with Satan. The serpent’s role is as a tempter for Eve and Adam. In the book of Job, Satan is part of God’s heavenly court, and is understood as a spiritual adversary. As adversary, Satan took everything away from Job — family, wealth and health in an attempt to get Job to curse God. When it didn’t work, God restored everything to Job. In the 200—300 years before Jesus lived, the concept of evil demons grew into an understanding that they were said to possess people and cause physical or mental diseases. By the time Jesus was healing people, most illnesses were attributed to a demon of some sort. In our modern world we understand medical science differently and no longer believe demons possess a person who is blind, has a mental disorder, or has cancer. Yet, we do continue to talk about how Jesus heals us; however, instead of asking for Jesus to cast out a demon, we ask Jesus to heal our cancer, our addiction, our broken bodies, and by faith we receive God’s comfort, peace and healing Spirit. Persons of Interest: Philipp Nicolai, died 1608; Johan Heermann, died 1647; Paul Gerhardt, died 1676; all hymnwriters <back to top> October 27 Read Mark Chapter 9 Memory Verse: Chapter 9, Verse 35 – feel free to highlight, underline or circle this verse in your Bible He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him. The he said, “Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.” New Living Translation (NLT) He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Reflect on that statement for a moment. What are ways that your church encourages you to be a servant in this world? Are there ways you can help your church encourage others to be a servant in this world? <back to top> October 28 Read Mark Chapter 9 Definition: Transfiguration Jesus is transfigured in chapter 9. To be transfigured means to have your figure changed into something completely other, yet at the same time remain completely recognizable. The disciples knew at all times this was Jesus, even though he was appearing in his heavenly glory, and no longer as just a human. And God’s voice clearly tells us that it is not the Law or the Prophets, but only Jesus who can restore us with God. Persons of Interest: Simon and Jude, apostles <back to top> October 29 Focus Story: Read Mark Chapter 9:14-29 Use these questions to reflect on what you have read: Have you ever been told, “You can’t do that.” What are things you cannot do because you are not old enough and/or because you haven’t learned how yet? How does it make you feel when you cannot do something? Have you ever tried something new, even though you didn’t know if you could do it? What happened? How do you suppose the disciples felt when they were not able to heal this boy (remember a lot of people were watching them as they tried but failed)? Throughout this Gospel, a central message to that Jesus heals people. What does this message mean to you? The disciples cannot cure this boy because they are not relying on faith but on their own powers. And the father is upset because his belief is not strong enough. What does the father of the boy ask Jesus to do? (see verse 24) Whenever we do not have the faith to get us through, we can ask Jesus to help us in our doubt. Doubt is a natural human experience, Jesus knows this, and Jesus can help us when we do not believe. What is an experience you have had recently that caused you to doubt Jesus’ presence in your life? How might this passage teach you to be open to Jesus even when our faith is weak? <back to top> October 30 Read Mark Chapter 9 Praying together as a family is a special time. Light a candle to remember that God is present in your midst as you pray. Return to your journal. Have you been keeping track of your prayers? Write in your prayers tonight. Pray together: O Lord, you season us with the gift of faith. In times when we doubt, stay ever closer to us that we may learn to hear your voice and to trust your guidance. Amen Evangelism (telling others about our faith in Jesus) begins with prayer. Who is a family member or a neighbor who needs to hear about God’s Good News in Jesus? Name these people and ask God to help open their hearts to his word. Conclude your time by saying the Lord’s Prayer. (Traditional Version) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen <back to top> October 31 No Devotional <back to top> | 
