What threads/themes/intersection(s) did you find this week?
This week’s passages are:
Mark 4:26-34: Jesus shares two parables of God’s Reign using the metaphor of seeds. In the first, he speaks about a farmer who plants seeds without knowing how they grow. In the second, he describes how the small mustard seed grows to become a large plant in which birds can nest.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17: Followers of Christ live by faith and not by sight, and do everything with the view to please God. Although we may at times seem crazy, we are controlled by Christ’s love. So we no longer live our old life, but a new one in Christ for whom we live, and who was raised for us.
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13: God tells Samuel that God has rejected Saul as king, and God instructs Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king. Samuel sees the eldest of the sons and thinks that one of them must be the king, but God tells him that God does not see as human beings do. Then David, the youngest son, is called and anointed to be king over Israel.
Psalm 20: A prayer that God may provide and protect, bringing victory and success to the king, and ensuring that the one who trusts in God remains steadfast.
Questions for these passages:
How does these passages point to Jesus?
How does these passages connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does these passages shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
My Story Threads:
Intersections/Themes:
God's Guidance and Leadership
In 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13, we see how God guides Samuel to anoint David as the new king. This shows that God has a plan and provides guidance to those who follow Him.
In Psalm 20, the psalmist prays for God's help and trusts in His guidance, showing faith in God's leadership.
In 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, Paul talks about living by faith and not by sight, trusting in God's guidance even when we can't see the whole picture.
In Mark 4:26-34, Jesus uses parables to teach about the Kingdom of God, showing that God's ways and plans are often beyond our understanding but are always growing and unfolding.
Faith and Trust in God
Samuel trusts God's choice of David, even though David is just a young shepherd.
The psalmist in Psalm 20 expresses deep trust in God’s power to save and protect.
Paul encourages the Corinthians to live by faith, trusting that their actions are pleasing to God and that they will be rewarded.
Jesus' parables in Mark emphasize the importance of faith in the unseen growth of God's Kingdom.
Transformation and New Beginnings
David's anointing marks a new beginning for Israel, showing how God can bring about change and renewal.
Psalm 20 speaks of victory and success through God's help, symbolizing new beginnings.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul talks about becoming a new creation in Christ, highlighting the theme of transformation.
The parables in Mark 4 describe the growth of the Kingdom of God, which starts small but grows into something great, symbolizing transformation.
God's Kingdom and Its Growth
David's anointing as king is part of God's plan for His kingdom on earth.
Psalm 20 reflects the hope and trust in God's kingdom and His rule.
Paul speaks about the eternal home with God, which is part of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' parables in Mark 4 directly describe the Kingdom of God, using the imagery of seeds growing into a harvest.
These themes show how God guides, transforms, and grows His kingdom through faith and trust in Him. Each passage contributes to a bigger picture of God's work in the world and in our lives.