Corsham Church and Community Site

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Mark 2:23 - 3:6

'Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."'
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Bible passage: Mark 2:23 - 3:6

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath Day
23 One Sabbath day Jesus was walking with his disciples through the grainfields. The disciples began to break off some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath. Why are your disciples doing it?"
25 He answered, "Haven't you ever read about what David did? He and his men were hungry. They needed food. 26 It was when Abiathar was high priest. David entered the house of God and ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it. David also gave some to his men."
27 Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath day was made for man. Man was not made for the Sabbath day. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day."
Mark 3

1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue. A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. 2 Some Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. They watched him closely. They wanted to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath day.
3 Jesus spoke to the man with the weak and twisted hand. "Stand up in front of everyone," he said.
4 Then Jesus asked them, "What does the Law say we should do on the Sabbath day? Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we kill?" But no one answered.
5 Jesus looked around at them in anger. He was very upset because their hearts were stubborn. Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was as good as new.
6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to make plans with the Herodians. They wanted to kill Jesus.
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Text: Main point: Good law, bad attitude?
These two stories show Jesus' attitude to the law - and what made him angry.

God's intentions

God's law is perfect and Jesus came to fulfil it. Like all good laws, God's were created to protect and help his people.

But, over generations, Israel's religious leaders had burdened the law with such a great weight of tradition that God's intentions had been virtually squashed.

Sabbath principles

The Sabbath was a key concept in the life of God's people from early in their history. It was to be a day set apart for God and a day of rest - the original 'holyday'. Jesus always kept to these key principles, pointing out that they existed for mankind's benefit.

But he was also quick to respond to the needs of the people around him. He didn't use the law as an excuse to do nothing.

Legalism

If someone is hungry or needs our help, is our instinct to try and meet their need? Or do we look for reasons why it would be 'wrong' for us to get involved?

What made Jesus furious was the stubborn, legalistic attitude shown by the religious leaders. They'd lost sight of the reasons for having a Sabbath in the first place. All they wanted to do was catch Jesus out on a technicality.

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=80888
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=80893
Deeper study: The Maker's intention: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=80894
Breaking the law: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=80895
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=80896
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14957&activityid=79971
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Leaky, leaky: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80994
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80995
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
How resistant are you to change? Open your mind to Jesus' new way of doing things.

Mark 2:18-22

'"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse."'
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Bible passage: Mark 2:18-22

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting
18 John's disciples and the Pharisees were going without eating. Some people came to Jesus. They said to him, "John's disciples are fasting. The disciples of the Pharisees are also fasting. But your disciples are not. Why aren't they?"
19 Jesus answered, "How can the guests of the groom go without eating while he is with them? They will not fast as long as he is with them. 20 But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. On that day they will go without eating.
21 "People don't sew a patch of new cloth on old clothes. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse. 22 People don't pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins. Then the wine and the wineskins will both be destroyed. No, everyone pours new wine into new wineskins."
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Text: Main point: Being flexible
Change needed

Fasting was an important religious discipline that the Pharisees had made into a public display. Jesus didn't condemn fasting itself, but he did point out that it has its time and its place. To fast when he was around would make no sense at all.

Jesus went on to emphasise just what a change his new teaching would bring about. The whole of the old religious structure needed to be transformed if it was to accommodate God's new covenant.

New life

But new into old just doesn't go - it sets up too much tension and things get damaged. The new wine may refer to Jesus' new teaching about the kingdom of God, or to the Holy Spirit. The old wineskins may indicate the old religious structure or peoples' hearts.

Either way, what was coming in was bubbling with powerful new life, just like new wine which was still fermenting. New goatskin containers were flexible enough to expand with the fermentation gases. Old skins were stiff, hard and brittle, and pouring new wine into them would cause an explosion.

Both stories in this passage encourage us to take note of the times we live in. Are our attitudes and our behaviour appropriate to the changes we see around us - but still godly?

Caroline Masom
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Prayer : Respond
Take a quick look through a Christian magazine (eg www.baptisttimes.co.uk or www.churchnewspaper.com).

What's God doing in your bit of the Christian world?

Can you see new things happening? What about at church?

How flexible are you when someone suggests a new way of doing things?

Pray for discernment so that you know when to hold on. and when to let go.
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=80867
Deeper study: Time to mourn? Or dance?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=80870
Patches and wineskins: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=80871
Questions about fasting: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=80873
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=80875
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14954&activityid=79970
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Leaky, leaky: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80994
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80995
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Welcome to Come Dine With Me: Jesus! Don't panic about the food, just sit back and enjoy the company.

Mark 2:13-17
'While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.'
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Bible passage: Mark 2:13-17

Jesus Chooses Levi
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd came to him. He began to teach them. 14 As he walked along he saw Levi, son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him.
15 Later Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house. Many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples. They were part of the large crowd following Jesus.
16 Some teachers of the law who were Pharisees were there. They saw Jesus eating with "sinners" and tax collectors. So they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
17 Jesus heard that. So he said to them, "Those who are healthy don't need a doctor. Sick people do. I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me."

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Text: Main point: Choosing your friends
Strange choices

Jesus' choice of associates was at odds with every instinct of the religious leaders of his day. The Pharisees concentrated so hard on keeping every detail of the law that they chose not to associate with people who could make them unclean - which boiled down to just about anyone who wasn't one of them.

Jesus had no such qualms. He'd already selected as his followers four ordinary working men without a single theological qualification between them. Now he went one step further and chose Levi, who as a tax collector was one of the most unpopular men in his community.

Following Jesus' example

The explanation Jesus gave to the Pharisees indicated the focus and the urgency of his mission: sin, like disease, is fatal if left untreated. Jesus' priority was to do God's work of saving mankind from the deep sin-sickness of our souls.

How much do we, as Christians, follow Jesus' example? Do we concentrate our love - and the amount of time we spend - on unpopular, difficult people and those from outside the church who really need to hear the good news?

Or are we so busy with our Christian friends that no one else gets a look-in?

Caroline Masom
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Text: Respond
What percentage (roughly) of your time do you spend with Christians or non-Christians each week?

Do a mini-audit for last week. What proportion of your time did you spend with Christians? With non-Christians? Ask God to show you if the balance needs adjusting.
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80857
Deeper study: Scandalous grace: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80860
Background: Matthew: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80861
Vox pops: Who would Jesus hang out with?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80862
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80863
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=80864
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14953&activityid=79968
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Leaky, leaky: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80994
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80995
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Standing room only, not even eBay has tickets! Are you desperate to see Jesus? Here's a VIP pass.


Mark 2:1-12
'A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.'
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Bible passage: Mark 2:1-12

Mark 2

Jesus Heals a Man Who Could Not Walk
1 A few days later, Jesus entered Capernaum again. The people heard that he had come home. 2 So many people gathered that there was no room left. There was not even room outside the door. And Jesus preached the word to them.
3 Four of those who came were carrying a man who could not walk. 4 But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole in the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat.
5 Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
6 Some teachers of the law were sitting there. They were thinking, 7 "Why is this fellow talking like that? He's saying a very evil thing! Only God can forgive sins!"
8 Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Is it easier to say to this man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins."
Then Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk. 11 "I tell you," he said, "get up. Take your mat and go home."
12 The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"

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Text: Main point: True authority
While Jesus had been away, the people of Capernaum hadn't lost their taste for the miraculous. As soon as he returned, there they were again, like moths to the light. But this time some of them got more than they bargained for - the religious leaders in particular.

Right to the heart

Jesus' response to the paralysed man reached right to the heart of the man's deepest need. And in addressing his spiritual healing Jesus was fulfilling his core mission.

But his words set warning bells jangling in the heads of the watching religious teachers, who knew heresy when they saw it. Only God had the authority to forgive sins.

Son of Man

Immediately Jesus took up the challenge. Yes, in one way the teachers were right. He was claiming divine authority for his actions.

His use of the title 'Son of Man' to describe himself, rather than the politically-charged 'Messiah', points to his unique role as both representative of humankind and as mediator of God's power on earth.

What the religious leaders couldn't cope with was that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He still is. When he lived on earth he did have the power to heal and to forgive sins. And he still does.

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80847
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80849
Deeper study: Assurance of forgiveness: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80850
Background: Was Jesus blaspheming?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80851
Obstacles: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80852
Cartoon: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80853
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=80854
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14952&activityid=79967
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Leaky, leaky: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80994
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80995
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=77078

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We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org One touch

Prayer : Prepare
Reach out - God is there, filled with love, compassion, and the power and will to change things.

Mark 1:40-45

'A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."'
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Bible passage: Mark 1:40-45

Jesus Heals a Man Who Had a Skin Disease
40 A man who had a skin disease came to Jesus. On his knees he begged Jesus. He said, "If you are willing to make me 'clean,' you can do it."
41 Jesus was filled with deep concern. He reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing to do it," he said. "Be 'clean'!" 42 Right away the disease left him. He was healed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once. He gave the man a strong warning. 44 "Don't tell this to anyone," he said. "Go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded. It will be a witness to the priest and the people that you are 'clean.' "
45 But the man went out and started talking right away. He spread the news to everyone. So Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. He stayed outside in lonely places. But people still came to him from everywhere.

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Text: Main point: One touch
Wherever you slice Jesus' ministry, you can see compassion running through the middle, like growth rings through a tree trunk. Jesus never turned away anyone who believed that he could meet their need.

Powerful grace

The man with leprosy was an outcast, cut off from contact with his family and community because of his illness. Desperate and lonely, he approached Jesus on his knees to ask for help.

Jesus responded and healed him, not by words alone, but by touch - perhaps the first human touch the man had felt since his illness began. This is God's powerful grace in action. A simple word and a simple, compassionate touch of the hand can be all that are needed to transform a life.

Our response

As Jesus' followers, how should we respond to this example? Perhaps we should first look at our own hearts. Do we share Jesus' compassion? Without it we risk making empty gestures and being contaminated ourselves rather than opening the way to God's healing power.

The man with leprosy understood that, as a result of his healing, he was no longer condemned to being alone but was restored to his community. Small wonder that he couldn't resist going straight out and telling everyone his amazing story.

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage : http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80838
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80840
Deeper study: Unwelcome publicity: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80841
Background: What was biblical leprosy?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80842
Healing touch: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=81204
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80843
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80844
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=79966
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80994
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=80995
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14951&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

WordLive Daily Email http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
What is creation saying to you today? Join in with praise for the Creator.

Psalm 148
'Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendour is above the earth and the heavens.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 148

Psalm 148
1 Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord from the heavens.
Praise him in the heavens above.
2 Praise him, all his angels.
Praise him, all his angels in heaven.
3 Praise him, sun and moon.
Praise him, all you shining stars.
4 Praise him, you highest heavens.
Praise him, you waters above the skies.
5 Let all of them praise the name of the Lord,
because he gave a command and they were created.
6 He set them in place for ever and ever.
He gave them laws they will always have to obey.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all of the deepest parts of the ocean.
8 Praise him, lightning and hail, snow and clouds.
Praise him, you stormy winds that obey him.
9 Praise him, all you mountains and hills.
Praise him, all you fruit trees and cedar trees.
10 Praise him, all you wild animals and cattle.
Praise him, you small creatures and flying birds.
11 Praise him, you kings of the earth and all nations.
Praise him, all you princes and rulers on earth.
12 Praise him, young men and young women.
Praise him, old people and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord.
His name alone is honored.
His glory is higher than the earth and the heavens.
14 He has given his people a strong king.
All of his faithful people praise him for that gift.
All of the people of Israel are close to his heart.
Praise the Lord.

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Text: Main point: Praise is rising
The book of Psalms ends with a massive outburst of praise. Everything in all creation, from the sun and moon to the depths of the ocean, from the angels in heaven to the smallest bird, from the most powerful ruler to the most vulnerable baby, is included in a mighty song of praise to our amazing creator God.

Creation praise

It's not clear exactly how things like mountains and winds, animals and trees can praise the Lord. One idea is that as we see the wonder and perfection of all that God has created, praise rises in us.

Another idea is that created things praise God by responding to his command and just being what they are - a stormy wind praises by being a stormy wind, for example. Either way, nothing in all creation is left out.

Let's join in!

Alone of all creation, however, human beings can choose whether or not to get involved - we can say no to God, or just praise with our lips not our whole inner beings.

But faced with the evidence all around us of God's amazing love, glory and power, let's not miss out, but choose to join in with our hearts, actions and lives as well as our mouths in this great worship song!

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14950&activityid=80833
Deeper study: Praising God in faith: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14950&activityid=80834
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14950&activityid=80835
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14950&activityid=79964
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Read all about it: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80991
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80992
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Busy? Crowded? Devote the next few minutes to God alone - it'll definitely be worth it.

Mark 1:29-39

'The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.'
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Bible passage: Mark 1:29-39

Jesus Heals Many People
29 Jesus and those with him left the synagogue. Right away they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed. She had a fever. They told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her. He took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her. Then she began to serve them.
32 That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick. They also brought all who were controlled by demons. 33 All the people in town gathered at the door. 34 Jesus healed many of them. They had all kinds of sicknesses. He also drove out many demons. But he would not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was.
Jesus Prays in a Quiet Place
35 It was very early in the morning and still dark. Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone. There he prayed. 36 Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 When they found him, they called out, "Everyone is looking for you!"
38 Jesus replied, "Let's go somewhere else. I want to go to the nearby towns. I must preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled all around Galilee. He preached in their synagogues. He also drove out demons.
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Text: Main point: Pressure-cooker living
These verses show Jesus under intense pressure as crowds flocked round him at every opportunity. Yet his compassion never failed - and neither did his focus or his dependence on God the Father.

Did they understand?

In a brief moment of privacy, he responded to the need of a sick woman. Then the crowds, who had waited until sunset marked the end of the Sabbath, enthusiastically brought their needs to him too. But, healed and delivered though they were, had they really understood Jesus' core message?

The demons knew exactly what was going on - they recognised Jesus and obeyed him. His human listeners, however, seem to have been satisfied with the understandable excitement of getting their bodies sorted out.

Stop. Pray. Go

Jesus knew when it was time to call a halt. Solitude in itself wasn't what recharged his batteries. Prayer, the essential means of communication between the Son of God and God the Father, enabled him to refocus on his mission.

And it was time to move on. The people of Capernaum had heard and seen all they needed in order to respond to God's call. The rest was up to them. Now others were to have the chance to hear the good news.

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80802
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80806
Deeper study: The long and short of it: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80812
The quiet place: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80813
Peace and quiet?!: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80814
News Burger: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=81115
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=80816
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14947&activityid=79962
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Read all about it: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80991
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80992
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=77078

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Support WordLive

We'd love you to support WordLive. If you'd like to make a donation, please visit http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/91202.id?in=WLDEP

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
Up for an adventure? Jesus is inviting you on a fishing trip - could be a long one though.

Mark 1:14-20

'As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."'
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Bible passage: Mark 1:14-20

Jesus Chooses the First Disciples
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee. He preached God's good news. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news!"
16 One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. 17 "Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people."
18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets. 20 Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.
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Text: Main point: The adventure begins
Jesus' first recorded words couldn't be more direct or more exciting: 'The time has come' (v 14, NIV). This is it - the culmination of history, of God's salvation plan; the great breaking-through of God's kingdom into our world.

Our choice

And this good news is available to everyone. Jesus proclaimed it openly, in the synagogues and towns and countryside of Galilee.

But he didn't impose it on everyone by blanket coverage, and neither does he today. Like Jesus' first hearers, we have a choice. If we want to be part of the good news story, there are things we must do.

Repent and believe

Two little words, but what a weight of meaning they carry! When we hear Jesus' call we can either ignore him and carry on as before, or - like Simon and Andrew, James and John - stop what we're doing and follow him.

These four men literally turned their backs on the only livelihood they had known in order to be with Jesus. God may not be calling us to give up our jobs, but true discipleship will always entail an equally wholehearted response to Jesus.

Caroline Masom
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Text: Respond
How did you first hear Jesus calling you to follow him? Where were you? What happened?

How has your understanding of God and his purposes grown since you first said 'Yes' to Jesus?
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=80768
Deeper study: Regime change: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=80771
Background: Fishermen in Galilee: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=80772
Go fish!: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=80785
News Burger: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=81115
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=80787
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14944&activityid=79960
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Read all about it: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80991
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80992
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
God is pleased, but there's more to come. Allow the Spirit in, and the preparation to begin.


Mark 1:9-13

'Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."'
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Bible passage: Mark 1:9-13

Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 Jesus was coming up out of the water. Just then he saw heaven being torn open. He saw the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 11 A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said, "You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you."
12 At once the Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert. 13 He was in the desert 40 days. There Satan tempted him. The wild animals didn't harm Jesus. Angels took care of him.
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Text: Main point: Are you ready?
Heaven opened

Jesus' baptism marked the public start of his ministry and his identification as the 'one who is more powerful' whose coming John had promised (v 7). Heaven was opened as the three Persons of the Trinity worked together.

The voice from heaven endorsed Jesus' credentials as God's own beloved Son. And the visible coming of the Spirit signified that the power of God was at the Son's disposal.

Useful pointers

When we consider starting a new ministry ourselves, these are useful pointers for us to bear in mind.

* Are we certain that we belong to God and know him as our loving Father?

* Have we received the Holy Spirit?

It's good to be sure, because the next episode in our story might reflect what happened next to Jesus - a time of testing.

Unmoveable

From Matthew and Luke's accounts of the temptation, we know that all Satan's cunning couldn't shift Jesus from his complete dependence on and trust in God. Jesus refused to misuse the power and the status which had just been confirmed to him.

His responses showed that he understood the challenges ahead and was willing to follow God's way, whatever the cost.

Caroline Masom
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80758
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80760
Deeper study: Jesus, prototype son: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80761
Background: John the Baptist: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80762
Testing times: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80763
Being baptised: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80764
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=80765
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14943&activityid=79959
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Read all about it: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80991
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80992
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Good news, good news! Hear all about it! Read today's exclusive headlines from The Messenger here.

Mark 1:1-8

'The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"'
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Bible passage: Mark 1:1-8

Mark 1

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1 This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote,
"I will send my messenger ahead of you.
He will prepare your way." -(Malachi 3:1)
3 "A messenger is calling out in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord.
Make straight paths for him.' " -(Isaiah 40:3)
4 And so John came. He baptized people in the desert. He also preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them. 5 All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothes made out of camel's hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey.
7 Here is what John was preaching. "After me, one will come who is more powerful than I am. I'm not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
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Text: Main point: Not just news.
Good news!

From our cynical twenty-first century viewpoint it can be hard to recapture the sheer excitement of the first sentence of Mark's book. But Mark himself was in no doubt. He was writing about someone who was going to change the world.

This wasn't just news, it was gospel - really good news!

Rooted in the past

At the same time, this 'good news' story was rooted in the past, in the prophetic tradition of the people of Israel. By quoting from Isaiah, Mark was reminding his readers of the hope they once cherished of the coming of Messiah.

The new story Mark was about to tell wouldn't contradict the past, it would fulfil it - 'And so John came.' (v 4, NIV).

Human signpost

John was a sort of human signpost. Dressed like the Old Testament prophet Elijah, John stood at the point where the past and the future intersected. Nothing would ever be the same again. History was about to take a radical new direction.

The message he preached to the enthusiastic crowd started with a call for the people to acknowledge their need of a personal new start. And that was just the beginning.

Caroline Masom
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80745
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80748
Deeper study: All about Jesus: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80749
Background: Mark's Gospel: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80750
Vox pops: What do you think about baptism?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80752
Preparing the way: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80753
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80754
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=79958
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80991
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=80992
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14942&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
The King is in court and wants to meet with his subjects - what will today's session entail?

Psalm 99

'The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Great is the LORD in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.'
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Bible passage: Psalm 99

Psalm 99
1 The Lord rules.
Let the nations tremble.
He sits on his throne between the cherubim.
Let the earth shake.
2 Great is the Lord in Zion.
He is honored over all of the nations.
3 Let them praise his great and wonderful name.
He is holy.
4 The King is mighty. He loves what is fair.
He has set up the rules for fairness.
He has done what is right and fair
for the people of Jacob.
5 Honor the Lord our God.
Worship at his feet.
He is holy.
6 Moses and Aaron were two of his priests.
Samuel was one of those who worshiped him.
They called out to the Lord.
And he answered them.
7 He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.
They obeyed his laws and the orders he gave them.
8 Lord our God, you answered them.
You showed Israel that you are a God who forgives.
But when they did wrong, you punished them.
9 Honor the Lord our God.
Worship at his holy mountain.
The Lord our God is holy.
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Text: Main point: Crowning glory
Choosing sinners

What an amazing God we serve! The same King who sits on a throne surrounded by angels, chooses sinners such as Moses and Aaron to do his work. Not only does he use them, but they call on his name and he answers.

The God we put our trust in has the power to make the nations tremble and the earth shake, yet uses the sinners of Israel in his service when he could easily do the work himself. He is the one true King, whose majesty knows no bounds.

All will bow

Do we see him as the King he is? We can so easily see Jesus as our loving friend, but how often do we recognise that he is the one to whom all will bow down? Earthly leaders have no power apart from that which God has given them.

Queen Victoria was reported to have exclaimed to a preacher after a service at Canterbury Cathedral, 'Oh, how I wish that the Lord would come during my lifetime, because I should so love to lay my crown at his feet.'

Lynda Davies
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Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14941&activityid=80739
Deeper study: Exalting and exulting: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14941&activityid=80740
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14941&activityid=80741
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14941&activityid=79956
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Who are your heroes of the faith? Who inspires you, and who do you inspire?

Hebrews 11:32-40

'And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised.'
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Bible passage: Hebrews 11:32-40

32 What more can I say? I don't have time to tell about all the others. I don't have time to talk about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah. I don't have time to tell about David, Samuel and the prophets. 33 Because of their faith they took over kingdoms. They ruled fairly. They received the blessings God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions. 34 They put out great fires. They escaped being killed by the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became powerful in battle. They beat back armies from other countries.
35 Women received their dead back. The dead were raised to life again. Others were made to suffer greatly. But they refused to be set free. They did that so that after death they would be raised to a better life.
36 Some were laughed at. Some were whipped. Still others were held by chains. They were put in prison. 37 Some were killed with stones. They were sawed in two. They were put to death by the sword. They went around wearing the skins of sheep and goats. They were poor. They were attacked. They were treated badly. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains. They lived in caves. They lived in holes in the ground.
39 All of those people were praised because they had faith. But none of them received what God had promised. 40 God had planned something better for us. So they would only be made perfect together with us.
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Text: Main point: Hall of fame
Faithful servants

Hebrews 11 gives us a fantastic list of people who can encourage us in our walk with God. Faithful servants who conquered kingdoms, brought the dead back to life and suffered at the sword. People who struggled in their faith, yet persisted in the knowledge that glory awaited them with their King in heaven.

Their lives serve as an example to us - this broken, fallen world was not worthy of them.

Waiting for us

Yet these great men and women of God still haven't fully received what they were promised because God, in his mercy, is waiting for our generation to turn to him. Gideon, David, Samson - all continued in their faith so that we and millions more may hear of Christ.

We will one day join these saints in heaven. Will your name be in that role call?

Thank God for those wonderful people who have inspired you to continue in your Christian walk, whether through public teaching, personal rebuke or private prayer. Pray that they may know that their faithful encouragement is not in vain.

Lynda Davies
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Text: Respond
How could you encourage those around you to keep striving for Jesus? Take some time writing a note to someone close to you, encouraging them to live for Christ.

Or. think about how you might use the WordLive forum, Facebook (or other social networks) to do this. Be creative.
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Deeper study: Something better: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14940&activityid=80734
Hyper-text: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14940&activityid=80735
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14940&activityid=79955
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Farewells, tears, 'best bits' video montages - look back with God and use it to look forward.


1 Samuel 12:1-25

'Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt. Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your ancestors."'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 12:1-25

1 Samuel 12

Samuel Tells Israel to Serve the Lord
1 Samuel spoke to all of the people of Israel. He said, "I've done everything you asked me to do. I've placed a king over you. 2 Now you have a king as your leader. But I'm old. My hair is gray. My sons are here with you. I've been your leader from the time I was young until this very day.
3 "Here I stand. Bring charges against me if you can. The Lord is a witness. And so is his anointed king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Have I cheated anyone? Have I beaten anyone down? Have I accepted money from anyone who wanted special favors? If I've done any of those things, I'll make it right."
4 "You haven't cheated us," they replied. "You haven't beaten us down. You haven't taken anything from anyone."
5 Samuel said to them, "The Lord is a witness against you this very day. And so is his anointed king. They are witnesses that I haven't taken anything from any of you."
"The Lord is a witness," they said.
6 Then Samuel said to the people, "The Lord appointed Moses and Aaron. He brought up out of Egypt your people who lived long ago. 7 Now then, stand here. I'm going to remind you of all of the good things the Lord has done for you and your people. He is a witness.
8 "After Jacob's family entered Egypt, they cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord sent Moses and Aaron. They brought your people out of Egypt. They settled them in this land.
9 "But the people forgot the Lord their God. So he gave them over to the powerful hand of Sisera. Sisera was the commander of the army of Hazor. The Lord also gave the people of Israel over to the powerful hand of the Philistines and the king of Moab. All of those nations fought against Israel.
10 "So the people cried out to the Lord. They said, 'We have sinned. We've deserted the Lord. We've served the gods that are named after Baal. We've served the goddesses that are named after Ashtoreth. But save us now from the powerful hands of our enemies. Then we will serve you.'
11 "The Lord sent Gideon, Barak, Jephthah and me. He saved you from the hands of your enemies, who were all around you. So you lived in safety.
12 "But then you saw that Nahash, the king of Ammon, was about to attack you. So you said to me, 'No! We want a king to rule over us.' You said it even though the Lord your God was your king. 13 Now here is the king you have chosen. He's the one you asked for. The Lord has placed a king over you.
14 "But you must have respect for the Lord. You must serve him and obey him. You must not say no to his commands. Both you and the king who rules over you must follow the Lord your God. If you do, that's good. 15 But you must not disobey him. You must not say no to his commands. If you do, his powerful hand will punish you. That's what happened to your people who lived before you.
16 "So stand still. Watch the great thing the Lord is about to do right here in front of you! 17 It's time to gather in the wheat, isn't it? I'll call out to the Lord to send thunder and rain. Then you will realize what an evil thing you did in the sight of the Lord. You shouldn't have asked for a king."
18 Samuel called out to the Lord. That same day the Lord sent thunder and rain. So all of the people had great respect for the Lord and for Samuel.
19 They said to Samuel, "Pray to the Lord your God for us. Pray that we won't die because we asked for a king. That was an evil thing to do. We added it to all of our other sins."
20 "Don't be afraid," Samuel replied. "It's true that you have done all of those evil things. But don't turn away from the Lord. Serve him with all your heart.
21 "Don't turn away and worship statues of gods. They are useless. They can't do you any good. They can't save you either. They are completely useless.
22 "But the Lord will be true to his great name. He won't turn his back on his people. That's because he was pleased to make you his own people.
23 "I would never sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. I'll teach you to live in a way that is good and right.
24 "But be sure to have respect for the Lord. Serve him faithfully. Do it with all your heart. Think about the great things he has done for you. 25 But don't be stubborn. Don't continue to do what is evil. If you do, both you and your king will be swept away."
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Text: Main point: Gracious love
The Israelites have shown just how unthankful and rebellious they are in asking for a king. Samuel recounts other great mercies God has shown them, and how every time the Israelites have forgotten these. He then shows just punishment in asking God to send down rain to ruin the harvest.

True grace

But this isn't the end of the story. This sin wasn't outside of God's plan, and Samuel, in verse 20, shows the Israelites true grace. Grace that, despite their sin, allows them to call on God.

They can be welcomed into God's family - not because of their good deeds, but because 'the Lord was pleased to make you his own' (v 22). In response to God's mercy they are to serve the Lord with thankfulness, struck by the knowledge that rejecting him leads to severe consequences (vs 14,15).

Freedom

We have such freedom in knowing that grace isn't earned by our works, but given unconditionally by Jesus. Nothing else is needed to be a part of the Lord's family.

Rejoice today that no amount of sin can separate you from his grace - it's all already been dealt with.

Lynda Davies
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80720
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80723
Deeper study: Samuel's mission statement: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80725
Background: Samuel: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80726
Valedictory speech: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80727
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80728
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=80729
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14938&activityid=79954
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
CLASSIFIEDS: People of God seek action hero for protection and rescue. Swift response appreciated.

1 Samuel 11:1-15

'They told the messengers who had come, "Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, 'By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.' "When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 11:1-15

1 Samuel 11

Saul Saves the City of Jabesh Gilead
1 Nahash was the king of Ammon. He and his army went up to Jabesh Gilead. They surrounded it and got ready to attack it. All of the men of Jabesh spoke to Nahash. They said, "Make a peace treaty with us. Then we'll be under your control."
2 Nahash, the king of Ammon, replied, "I will make a peace treaty with you. But I'll do it only on one condition. You must let me put out the right eye of every one of you. I want to bring shame on the whole nation of Israel."
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days to report back to you. We'll send messengers all through Israel. If no one comes to save us, we'll hand ourselves over to you."
4 The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul. They reported to the people the terms Nahash had required. Then all of the people sobbed out loud.
5 Just then Saul was coming in from the fields. He was walking behind his oxen. He asked, "What's wrong with the people? Why are they sobbing?" He was told what the men of Jabesh had said.
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came on him with power. He burned with anger. 7 He got a pair of oxen and cut them into pieces. He sent the pieces by messengers all through Israel. They announced, "You must follow Saul and Samuel. If you don't, this is what will happen to your oxen."
The terror of the Lord fell on the people. So all of them came together with one purpose in mind.
8 Saul brought his army together at Bezek. There were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 from Judah.
9 The messengers who had come were told, "Go back and report to the men of Jabesh Gilead. Tell them, 'By the hottest time of the day tomorrow, you will be saved.' "
The messengers went and reported it to the men of Jabesh. It made those men very happy. 10 They said to the people of Ammon, "Tomorrow we'll hand ourselves over to you. Then you can do to us what seems best to you."
11 The next day Saul separated his men into three groups. While it was still dark, they broke into the camp of the Ammonite army. They kept killing the men of Ammon until the hottest time of the day. Those who got away alive were scattered. There weren't two of them left together anywhere.
The People Agree to Have Saul as King
12 The people said to Samuel, "Who asked, 'Is Saul going to rule over us?' Bring those people to us. We'll put them to death."
13 But Saul said, "We won't put anyone to death today! After all, this is the day the Lord has saved Israel."
14 Then Samuel said to the people, "Come on. Let's go to Gilgal. There we'll agree to have Saul as our king."
15 So all of the people went to Gilgal. There, with the Lord as witness, they agreed to have Saul as their king. There they sacrificed friendship offerings to the Lord. And there Saul and all of the people of Israel celebrated with great joy.
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Text: Main point: Action hero
Super Saul

On first reading, this sounds like a Bond movie, with Saul in the leading role.

The Israelites have been captured and need rescuing. Saul hears of this disgrace and brutally kills a pair of oxen in a fit of rage. He arranges a stealth mission to swoop in unexpectedly, kill the baddies and bring his people home.

God's power

This is the same Saul who was yesterday found behind the coat stand. So where did this new found leadership come from?

Verse 6 tells us - the Spirit of God. Saul passes his first kingship test with flying colours, but only through the power of the Lord.

Made to serve

Praise God that Saul doesn't fall into the same trap as the Israelites in thinking that the king is the solution. Saul knows that the battle was not won in his kingship, but the Lord's might alone (vs 12,13).

Sometimes we can be all too keen to take credit for our own good works, forgetting that if it wasn't for the Lord we wouldn't even have breath. We were made to serve him, therefore every blessing we have comes from him.

Lynda Davies
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80709
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80711
Deeper study: Saul at his best: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80712
Background: The Ammonites: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80713
Vox pops: How do you deal with bad news?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80714
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=80715
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14937&activityid=79953
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Are you scared of what God is calling you to do? Pray for the trust that combats fear.

1 Samuel 10:1-27

'Then Samuel took a bottle of olive oil and poured it on Saul's head and kissed him, saying, "Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over his inheritance?'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 10:1-27

1 Samuel 10

1 Then Samuel took a bottle of olive oil. He poured it on Saul's head and kissed him. He said, "The Lord has anointed you to be the leader of his people. 2 When you leave me today, you will meet two men. They will be near Rachel's tomb at Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They'll say to you, 'The donkeys you have been looking for have been found. Now your father has stopped thinking about them. Instead, he's worried about you. He's asking, "What can I do to find my son?" '
3 "You will go on from Zelzah until you come to the large tree at Tabor. Three men will meet you there. They'll be on their way up to Bethel to worship God. One of them will be carrying three young goats. Another will be carrying three loaves of bread. A third will be carrying a bottle of wine. It will be a bottle that is made out of animal skin. 4 The men will greet you. They'll offer you two loaves of bread. You will accept the loaves from them.
5 "After that, you will go to Gibeah of God. Some Philistine soldiers are stationed there. As you approach the town, you will meet a group of prophets. They'll be coming down from the high place where they worship. People will be playing lyres, tambourines, flutes and harps at the head of the group. The prophets will be prophesying. 6 The Spirit of the Lord will come on you with power. Then you will prophesy along with them. You will become a different person.
7 "All of those things will happen. Then do what you want to do. God is with you.
8 "Go down ahead of me to Gilgal. You can be sure that I'll come down to you there. I'll come and sacrifice burnt offerings and friendship offerings. But you must wait there for seven days until I come to you. Then I'll tell you what to do."
Saul Is Made King of Israel
9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart. All of those things happened that day. 10 When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met Saul. Then the Spirit of God came on him with power. He prophesied along with them. 11 Those who had known Saul before saw him prophesying with the prophets. They asked one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
12 A man who lived in Gibeah answered, "Yes, he is. In fact, he's their leader." That's why people say, "Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
13 After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the high place to worship.
14 Later, Saul's uncle spoke to him and his servant. He asked, "Where have you been?"
"Looking for the donkeys," he said. "But we couldn't find them. So we went to Samuel."
15 Saul's uncle said, "Tell me what Samuel said to you."
16 Saul replied, "He told us the donkeys had been found." But Saul didn't tell his uncle that Samuel had said he would become king.
17 Samuel sent a message to the people of Israel. He told them to meet with the Lord at Mizpah. 18 He said to them, "The Lord is the God of Israel. He says, 'Israel, I brought you up out of Egypt. I saved you from their powerful hand. I also saved you from the powerful hand of all of the kingdoms that had beaten you down.'
19 "But now you have turned your backs on your God. He saves you out of all of your trouble and suffering. In spite of that, you have said, 'We refuse to listen. Place a king over us.'
"So now gather together to meet with the Lord. Do it tribe by tribe and family group by family group."
20 Then Samuel had each tribe of Israel come forward. The tribe of Benjamin was chosen. 21 Next he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward, family group by family group. Matri's group was chosen. Finally Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But when people looked for him, they realized he wasn't there. 22 They needed more help from the Lord. So they asked him, "Has the man come here yet?"
The Lord said, "Yes. He has hidden himself among the supplies."
23 So they ran over there and brought him out. When he stood up, the people saw that he was a head taller than any of them.
24 Samuel spoke to all of the people. He said, "Look at the man the Lord has chosen! There isn't anyone like him among all of the people."
Then the people shouted, "May the king live a long time!"
25 Samuel explained to the people what the king who ruled over them should do. He wrote it down on a scroll. He placed it in front of the Lord in the holy tent. Then he sent the people away. He sent each of them to their own homes.
26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah. Some brave men whose hearts God had touched went with Saul.
27 But some evil people who wanted to stir up trouble said, "How can this fellow save us?" They looked down on him. They didn't bring him any gifts. But Saul kept quiet about it.
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Text: Main point: A reluctant king
The people have got the king that they asked for, 'an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites' (1 Samuel 9:2).

A change of heart?

But for him to be the king he must be of more than impressive appearance - God must change his heart. Even though the Israelites tried to reject God, he is still in control of all things, including our hearts and minds.

Samuel assures Saul in verse 6 that the Lord will be with him, yet he remains overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. He doesn't tell his uncle the full story and is later found hiding amongst the baggage.

Trusting God

Despite the promises written in his Word, can we still sometimes be found hiding, refusing to trust fully in God's provision? It can be especially hard in the face of mockers (v 27), but Jesus has already shown us that in him we have the victory.

Not only that, but no running away from the Lord can limit his rule. Therefore we have no reason not to trust in the glorious hope he has given us.

Lynda Davies
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Choose from today's activities...


Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80699
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80701
Deeper study: God chooses Saul: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80702
Background: How Saul became king: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80703
Visible difference: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80704
Changes: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80705
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=80706
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14936&activityid=79952
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
'But everyone else is!' Resist the temptation to fit in - go against the crowd and ask God what is right.

1 Samuel 8:1-22

'But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

1 Samuel 8

Israel Asks Samuel for a King
1 When Samuel became old, he appointed his sons to serve as judges for Israel. 2 The name of his oldest son was Joel. The name of his second son was Abijah. They served as judges at Beersheba. 3 But his sons didn't live as he did. They were only interested in making money. They accepted money from people who wanted special favors. They made things that were wrong appear to be right.
4 So all of the elders of Israel gathered together. They came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, "You are old. Your sons don't live as you do. So appoint a king to lead us. We want a king just like the kings all of the other nations have."
6 Samuel wasn't pleased when they said, "Give us a king to lead us." So he prayed to the Lord.
7 The Lord told him, "Listen to everything the people are saying to you. You are not the one they have turned their backs on. I am the one they do not want as their king. 8 They are doing just as they have always done. They have deserted me and served other gods. They have done that from the time I brought them up out of Egypt until this very day. Now they are deserting you too.
9 "Let them have what they want. But give them a strong warning. Let them know what the king who rules over them will do."
10 Samuel told the people who were asking him for a king everything the Lord had said. 11 Samuel told them, "Here's what the king who rules over you will do. He will take your sons. He'll make them serve with his chariots and horses. They will run in front of his chariots. 12 He'll choose some of your sons to be commanders of thousands of men. Some will be commanders of fifties. Others will have to plow his fields and gather his crops. Still others will have to make weapons of war and parts for his chariots.
13 "He'll also take your daughters. Some will have to make perfume. Others will be forced to cook and bake.
14 "He will take away your best fields and vineyards and olive groves. He'll give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and a tenth of your grapes. He'll give it to his officials and attendants. 16 He will also take your male and female servants. He'll take your best cattle and donkeys. He'll use all of them any way he wants to.
17 "He will take a tenth of your sheep and goats. You yourselves will become his slaves.
18 "When that time comes, you will cry out for help because of the king you have chosen. But the Lord won't answer you at that time."
19 In spite of what Samuel said, the people refused to listen to him. "No!" they said. "We want a king to rule over us. 20 Then we'll be like all of the other nations. We'll have a king to lead us. He'll go out at the head of our armies and fight our battles."
21 Samuel heard everything the people said. He told the Lord about it. 22 The Lord answered, "Listen to them. Give them a king."
Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Each of you go back to your own town."
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Text: Main point: To be like them
Rejecting God

They just can't see the wood for the trees. God has mercifully saved these sinning Israelites from death, yet they turn around and reject him. It's an incredible sin for these people to tell their Creator that he's just not cutting it as a king.

They seem to think that the solution to their problems is an earthly king. And the reason for this? Because all the other nations have one. This is idolatry, pure and simple - they desire something more than God.

Warning!

Samuel turns to his Lord in despair and solemnly warns the Israelites of a human king who will take their children and lead them to ruin. However, no end of gloomy predictions can change their stubborn minds.

All in God's plan

How brilliant it is, then, that God can use man's wickedness for his glory! As we will see later on, this king and his successor, David, are simply a foreshadowing of the perfect leader found in King Jesus.

In God's plan, kings were needed as the ancestors of the Messiah, the son of David, who would fulfil the promise of God's blessing for all nations found in Genesis 12:2. It's certainly no excuse to sin, but a glorious reminder of the sovereignty of our God in desperate situations.

Lynda Davies
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80688
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80691
Deeper study: Israel asks for a king: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80693
Background: Leaders of Israel: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80694
I want a king!: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80695
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=80696
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14935&activityid=79951
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: The beautiful game: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Imagine a stack of coins with a penny for each time God has helped you. How tall would yours be?

1 Samuel 7:2b-17

'Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."'
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 7:2b-17

Samuel Brings the Philistines Under Israel's Control
2 The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim for a long time. It was there for a full 20 years. All of the people of Israel were filled with sorrow. They looked to the Lord for help.
3 Samuel spoke to the whole community of Israel. He said, "Do you really want to return to the Lord with all your hearts? If you do, get rid of your strange gods. Get rid of your statues of goddesses that are named after Ashtoreth. Commit yourselves to the Lord. Serve him only. Then he will save you from the powerful hand of the Philistines."
4 So the people of Israel put away their statues of gods that were named after Baal. They put away their statues of goddesses named after Ashtoreth. They served the Lord only.
5 Then Samuel said, "Gather all of the people of Israel together at Mizpah. I will pray to the Lord for you."
6 When the people had come together at Mizpah, they went to the well and got water. They poured it out in the sight of the Lord. On that day they didn't eat any food. They admitted they had sinned. They said, "We've sinned against the Lord." Samuel was the leader of Israel at Mizpah.
7 The Philistines heard that Israel had gathered together at Mizpah. So the Philistine rulers came up to attack them.
When the people of Israel heard about it, they were afraid. 8 They said to Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the Lord our God to help us. Keep praying that he'll save us from the powerful hand of the Philistines."
9 Then Samuel got a very young lamb. He sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. He cried out to the Lord to help Israel. And the Lord answered his prayer.
10 The Philistines came near to attack Israel. At that time Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering. But that day the Lord thundered loudly against the Philistines. He threw them into such a panic that the Israelites were able to chase them away. 11 The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah. They chased the Philistines all the way to a point below Beth Car. They killed them all along the way.
12 Then Samuel got a big stone. He set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer. He said, "The Lord has helped us every step of the way."
13 So Samuel brought the Philistines under Israel's control. The Philistines didn't attack their territory again.
The Lord used his powerful hand against the Philistines as long as Samuel lived. 14 The Philistines had captured many towns between Ekron and Gath. But they had to give all of them back. Israel took back the territories near those towns from the powerful hand of the Philistines.
During that time Israel and the Amorites were friendly toward each other.
15 Samuel continued to lead Israel all the days of his life. 16 From year to year he traveled from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah. He served Israel as judge in all of those places. 17 But he always went back to Ramah. That's where his home was. He served Israel as judge there too. And he built an altar there to honor the Lord.
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Text: Main point: Ebenezer stone
Depending on God

The Philistines are about to attack, and Samuel knows that there is only one way to achieve success - complete dependence on the Lord.

Samuel interceded for the Israelites 'and the Lord answered him'. His wise leadership and reliance on God led to a glorious victory over the Philistines that lasted throughout Samuel's lifetime.

So that the Israelites would never forget God's mercy, he even set up a stone, naming it 'Ebenezer' (which means 'stone of help') to remind them of the Lord's faithfulness.

Our intercessor

We too have someone sitting at the right hand of God and interceding on our behalf - Christ Jesus, whose sacrifice wasn't a suckling lamb, but himself on the cross.

Our battle is not with an invading force, but with the sin that so easily invades every fibre of our being. Mercifully, because of what Jesus has done, we don't need to be afraid.

However, we can easily forget how gracious God is in sending Jesus to save his people. When you are feeling the battle to keep going as a Christian is too hard, why not have something to remind you of the greatest Ebenezer stone of them all - the cross of Christ.

Lynda Davies
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80664
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80667
Deeper study: Samuel's leadership: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80679
Background: Catch up: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80680
Worship song: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80681
Signpost: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80683
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80684
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=79950
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80988
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=80990
WordLive Forum: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14932&activityid=77078

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Prayer : Prepare
Seek wisdom, not frustration; knowledge, not trivia. Ask God to help you make sense of it all.

Proverbs 22:1-16

'The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.'
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Bible passage: Proverbs 22:1-16

Proverbs 22
    You should want a good name more than you want great riches.
To be highly respected is better than having silver or gold.
2 The Lord made rich people and poor people.
That's what they have in common.
3 Wise people see danger and go to a safe place.
But childish people keep going and suffer for it.
4 Have respect for the Lord and don't be proud.
That will bring you wealth and honor and life.
5 Thorns and traps lie in the paths of evil people.
But those who guard themselves stay far away from them.
6 Train a child in the way he should go.
When he is old, he will not turn away from it.
7 Rich people rule over those who are poor.
Borrowers are slaves to lenders.
8 Anyone who plants evil gathers a harvest of trouble.
His power to beat others down will be destroyed.
9 Anyone who gives freely will be blessed.
That's because he shares his food with those who are poor.
10 If you drive away those who make fun of others, fighting also goes away.
Arguing and unkind words will stop.
11 Have a pure and loving heart, and speak kindly.
Then you will be a friend of the king.
12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge.
But he does away with the words of those who aren't faithful.
13 People who don't want to work say, "There's a lion outside!"
Or they say, "I'll be murdered if I go out into the streets!"
14 The mouth of a woman who commits adultery is like a deep pit.
Any man the Lord is angry with will fall into it.
15 A child is going to do foolish things.
But correcting him will drive his foolishness far away from him.
16 One person may beat poor people down in order to get rich.
Another person may give gifts to rich people. Both of them will become poor.
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Text: Main point: Connecting the dots
Two brothers

When my two sons were little, they couldn't have been more different. Stephen showed a gentle spirit and had innocent-looking brown eyes. His younger brother, David, had red hair, freckles, a cheeky grin, and was always in trouble.

On a number of occasions, my mother murmured, 'You need to watch that one', indicating Stephen. 'He's not as innocent as he seems.'

Joining the dots

One pastime our children enjoyed was joining up dots in order to create a picture. As they grew older, their father and I realised my mother's wisdom. Stephen would instigate an action, then realise he'd made a bad choice. He'd see trouble ahead and stop.

He'd learned to connect the dots concerning his actions. David never saw the picture until it was too late. In his fun-loving way he would barrel right on - and get caught (v 3).

Consequences

In this passage we learn the importance of connecting the dots. We see the outcome of some actions, the consequence of others.

● Solomon, the writer of these proverbs and reputed to have been the wisest man ever, shows us the outcome and consequences of being rich (vs 2,7,9,16).

● He points out the responsibilities of parenthood in words Eli would have done well to heed (vs 6,15).

● We're reminded to watch the company we keep (vs 3,5,8,10).

The other verses pinpoint our own behaviour and our attitude to the Lord and others.

Shirley Corder
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Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14930&activityid=80648
Deeper study: Too nice by far: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14930&activityid=80649
New Improved Wiz: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14930&activityid=80650
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14930&activityid=79948
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Choose from this week's activities...

Welcome: Dedication's what you need.: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14925&activityid=80964
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14925&activityid=80965
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Growing in grace

Prepare
God is calling… are you listening? Do you recognise his voice? Tingly ears await for those who hear…


1 Samuel 3:1 – 4:1a
‘The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."’

1 Samuel 3:1 - 4:1a
1 Samuel 3
The LORD Calls Samuel
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel.
Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.
6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11 And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family-from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, 'The guilt of Eli's house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.' "
15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son."
Samuel answered, "Here I am."
17 "What was it he said to you?" Eli asked. "Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you." 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."
19 The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. 21 The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.
1 Samuel 4
1 And Samuel's word came to all Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Ark
Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek.

====================================================

Main point: Growing in grace
Hannah’s little boy grew in favour with God and people (2:26; see Luke 2:52). The stark contrast between Samuel and Eli’s sons probably made the child all the more popular and before long the people recognised him as a prophet of God (3:20).

From the mouths of babes

It’s interesting that when God wanted to send confirmation of his earlier message to Eli, he chose not the aging high priest but a young boy. Centuries later, when temple leaders complained to Jesus about children making a noise in the temple, he quoted Psalm 8:2: ‘Don't you know that the Scriptures say, “Children and infants will sing praises”?’ (Matthew 21:16, CEV).

How important that our children and grandchildren are brought up to know the Lord at a young age. Sometimes the Lord speaks through their mouths. Perhaps he has to, because the adults are too preoccupied.

Words from God

In these early days of Samuel, we read that God spoke rarely to his people. Today we’ve grown accustomed to people claiming to have ‘a word from the Lord’. How do we distinguish truth from falsehood, or just wishful thinking? 1 Samuel 3:19 gives us the answer.

And so Hannah’s boy grew to manhood, loved and respected by people across the land.

Shirley Corder

http://www.wordlive.org

Prayer : Prepare
If a prophet came with a warning for you, would you believe them? Open your heart to God's message today.


1 Samuel 2:27-36
"Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that the members of your family would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honour me I will honour, but those who despise me will be disdained."
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Bible passage: 1 Samuel 2:27-36

A Man of God Prophesies Against Eli's Family
27 A man of God came to Eli. He told him, "The Lord says, 'I made myself clearly known to your relatives who lived long ago. I did it when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh. 28 I chose your father Aaron to be my priest. I chose him out of all of the tribes of Israel. I told him to go up to my altar. I told him to burn incense. I chose him to wear a linen apron when he served me. I also gave his family all of the offerings that are made with fire by the people of Israel.
29 " 'Why do all of you laugh at my sacrifices and offerings? I require them to be brought to the house where I live. Why do you honor your sons more than me? Why do you fatten yourselves on the best parts of every offering that is made by my people Israel?'
30 "The Lord is the God of Israel. He announced, 'I promised that your family and the family of Aaron would serve me as priests forever.'
"But now the Lord announces, 'I will not let that happen! I will honor those who honor me. But I will turn away from those who look down on me. 31 The time is coming when I will cut your life short. I will also cut short the lives of those in your family. No man in your family line will grow old.
32 " 'You will see nothing but trouble in the house where I live. Good things will still happen to Israel. But no man in your family line will ever grow old. 33 A member of your family will serve me at my altar. But what he does will bring tears to your eyes. Your heart will be sad. And the rest of the men in your family line will die while they are still young.
34 " 'Something is going to happen to your two sons Hophni and Phinehas. When it does, it will show you that what I am saying is true. They will both die on the same day.
35 " 'I will raise up for myself a faithful priest. He will do what my heart and mind want him to do. I will make his family line very secure. They will always serve as priests to my anointed king. 36 Everyone who is left in your family line will come and bow down to him. They will beg him for a piece of silver and a crust of bread. They will say, "Please give me a place to serve among the priests. Then I can have food to eat." ' "
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Text: Main point: Word of warning
Who are you?

Whenever we read a biography of a great historical figure, the author invariably takes us back to the person's ancestors. Here we read of a man who visits Eli with a message from God. He too starts with Eli's ancestors (v 27).

He reminds Eli of his calling to serve God, which goes way back in history (v 28). Some versions call this man a prophet, others say 'man of God'. We haven't heard of him before, nor do we hear of him again. So what do we know about this man?

Courageous obedience

Deeply committed to God, he heard the Lord speak during a time when this was a rare occurrence (3:1). This prophet showed great courage as he brought a tough message to the High Priest (v 31).

Yet he didn't hold anything back. Although we don't know his name, he will be remembered for all time for his obedience in passing on God's message.

In the New Testament we are given a message from God to share with others. Will we be faithful and courageous, and pass it on? It may not bring us fame or popularity, but how wonderful if one day we are listed in someone's spiritual biography.

Shirley Corder
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Audio Bible passage: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80618
Respond: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80620
Deeper study: How serious are you?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80621
Background: Does God change his mind?: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80622
Honouring God: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80623
Podcast: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=80624
Bible in a year: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14927&activityid=79945
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Welcome: Dedication's what you need.: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14925&activityid=80964
WordLive for small groups: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/2981.id?sessionid=14925&activityid=80965
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