Hope Has a Name: Calvary Road | Matt & Tim Dobson at 7pm | 31 October 2021

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the Gospel of Mark.

31 October 2021 - 7pm Service

Hope Has a Name Series

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the book of Mark. The apostle Mark’s gospel is fast paced and concise, sharing an overview of key facets about Jesus’ ministry and the good news He gives to us. This week, Dave is looking at why Jesus taught by telling stories and we look at the parable of the sower.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Mark 15.

The biggest section of Mark’s gospel is the last week of Jesus’ life in the shadow of the cross.

Paul is convinced that what happened to Jesus on the cross and through to resurrection on Easter Sunday has the possibility of changing everyone’s life for good. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:

Take a few moments to consider the Cross…

What do we understand about the Cross and why is it central to the life and ministry of Jesus?

Mark’s account of the crucifixion of Jesus seems to reach its climax with these words:

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

Why do you think that the curtain being torn, and the centurion’s declaration are so important to Mark (and us)?

How could you simply share the Good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection with a non-church friend in a way that they could understand how it can affect their lives?

Hope Has a Name: Telling Tales | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 24 October 2021

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the Gospel of Mark.

24 October 2021 - 7pm Service

Hope Has a Name Series

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the book of Mark. The apostle Mark’s gospel is fast paced and concise, sharing an overview of key facets about Jesus’ ministry and the good news He gives to us. This week, Dave is looking at why Jesus taught by telling stories and we look at the parable of the sower.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Mark 4:1-34.

People love a good story. When Jesus told parables, they weren’t just memorable stories, they had a point to them that taught people more about the Kingdom of God.

1. Why do you think Jesus taught through story? What is the power of story today?

2. The parable of the Sower is in some ways an introduction to all parables, and a story about stories.

3. How do we understand this parable?

4. What kind of soil might we be?

5. Is it possible to change our “soil type”? If so, how? What might a “fruitful” life look like?

Hope Has a Name: Authority on Earth | Clare Thompson at 7pm | 17 October 2021

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the Gospel of Mark.

17 October 2021 - 7pm Service

Hope Has a Name Series

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the book of Mark. The apostle Mark’s gospel is fast paced and concise, sharing an overview of key facets about Jesus’ ministry and the good news He gives to us. This week, Clare is looking at what it means to live with the authority of Christ in our lives.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Mark 2:1-12.
This evening we are going to look at the topic of Spiritual authority. Mark has already commented on Jesus’ authority in chapter 1.

Mark 1:22 - The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Mark 1:27 - The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.”

1. What do you think the word “authority” means?

2. What is the link between power and authority which Jesus clearly had?

3. How does this story reveal his divinity?

4. How did Jesus give power and authority to his followers? (Read Luke 9v1-6, and John 20v19-23).

5. What do you think is the basis of Spiritual authority? How do we receive power (Luke 24:49)?
   How do we minister in healing today?

Hope Has a Name: Kingdom Conflict | Dave Mitchell at 7pm | 10 October 2021

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the Gospel of Mark.

10 October 2021 - 7pm Service

Hope Has a Name Series

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the book of Mark. The apostle Mark’s gospel is fast paced and concise, sharing an overview of key facets about Jesus’ ministry and the good news He gives to us. This week, Dave is unpacking what Mark says kingdom conflict, the forces of darkness here on Earth and the authority of Jesus Christ.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Mark 1:21-34

The first sign of Jesus spiritual authority in Mark is driving out a demon. Spiritual warfare is a big theme of Mark’s gospel.

Read these passages to see how Jesus went about confronting the works of evil spirits:

Mark 1v12-13, Mark 1v39, Mark 3v11-12, Mark 3v22-30, Mark 4v15, Mark 5v1-20, Mark 6v7, Mark 6v12-13, Mark 7v24-30 and Mark 8v33.

Take some time to think about and/or discuss these questions:

1. What do you think it means for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven?

2. What do you think it is it displacing?

3. What do miracles of healing and deliverance tell us about God’s kingdom?

4. What powers oppose God’s kingdom rule today?

5. How would you describe spiritual powers of evil and how can we resist and overcome them?

Hope Has a Name: Prepare the Way | Matt Dobson at 7pm | 3 October 2021

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the Gospel of Mark.

3 October 2021 - 7pm Service

Hope Has a Name Series

During October at our 7pm services, we’re looking at the book of Mark. The apostle Mark’s gospel is fast paced and concise, sharing an overview of key facets about Jesus’ ministry and the good news He gives to us. This week, Matt is looking at what Mark says about God’s plan to prepare the way for Jesus and ultimately His restoration for the world.

You can go deeper with this topic on your own or in your small group using the discussion notes below.

DISCUSSION NOTES

Read Mark 1

Have you ever wondered why John the Baptist needed to come before Jesus? Surely God could have arrived unannounced onto the scene of human history.

1. In what way did Jesus need someone to prepare the way for him?

If the Incarnation was just about God showing us what he was like (Col 1v19 and Heb 1v3) through Jesus’ teaching, healing, miracle and lifestyle then maybe he wouldn’t have needed any preparation. But God is interested in forgiving us, rescuing us and restoring a friendship with him once again.

2. From reading John’s message to people, what was the content and how did he “prepare the way”?

John 1v31 but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”
In the wilderness with all the trimmings of life removed, people became aware of themselves and their hearts were softened to realise that they weren’t that good.

3. How do you see these four things working out in your life as you seek to follow Jesus and prepare a way for Him to break into your world?

Repentance

To turn round from going my own way and start following God’s way. Galatians 5v19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5 v3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Confession

To admit and own up to my faults and failings.
James 5v16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Forgiveness

Shame taken away, restored to God, washed clean, guilt removed.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

How can we live a holy life making way for Jesus? We need the power and work of the Holy Spirit. How do you allow Jesus to fill you with his Spirit?