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Prepare: Cradle a seed in your palm as you talk to God about his plans and dreams for the seed that is you.
God’s mysterious ways
Consider Jesus’ keynote address: ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15).
Our ‘response-ability’ (see yesterday’s study) to respond to the good news is stressed once again by Jesus (vs 23–25). But even the disciples, who had responded in faith, would find that during much of Jesus’ ministry this kingdom boasted a very modest presence. Jesus offers two more parables, demonstrating that appearances are often deceptive and that God’s ways are both mysterious and marvellous.
Dream big
Kids love to take things apart and see how they work. But not everything in life can be appreciated in this manner. Dissecting a rose destroys a thing of beauty; the magic of romance evaporates if you break it down into its component parts.
Once the seeds of the good news take root in receptive soil, fruitfulness will follow; God’s kingdom will flourish. We are not called to understand how this happens, only to believe it and anticipate it (vs 26–29).
‘The birds of the air’ (v 32) was an expression denoting the Gentile nations. Although they were an insignificant minority in the mighty Roman Empire, Jesus challenges his disciples to dream big as they anticipated the great fruitfulness God would bring about through humble beginnings (vs 30–32).
Respond: Prayerfully dream a ‘big’ dream for God, with God.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-18
God’s mysterious ways
Consider Jesus’ keynote address: ‘The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15).
Our ‘response-ability’ (see yesterday’s study) to respond to the good news is stressed once again by Jesus (vs 23–25). But even the disciples, who had responded in faith, would find that during much of Jesus’ ministry this kingdom boasted a very modest presence. Jesus offers two more parables, demonstrating that appearances are often deceptive and that God’s ways are both mysterious and marvellous.
Dream big
Kids love to take things apart and see how they work. But not everything in life can be appreciated in this manner. Dissecting a rose destroys a thing of beauty; the magic of romance evaporates if you break it down into its component parts.
Once the seeds of the good news take root in receptive soil, fruitfulness will follow; God’s kingdom will flourish. We are not called to understand how this happens, only to believe it and anticipate it (vs 26–29).
‘The birds of the air’ (v 32) was an expression denoting the Gentile nations. Although they were an insignificant minority in the mighty Roman Empire, Jesus challenges his disciples to dream big as they anticipated the great fruitfulness God would bring about through humble beginnings (vs 30–32).
Respond: Prayerfully dream a ‘big’ dream for God, with God.
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-05-18
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
