GSCC Small Group 06-23-07

9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 12At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Group discussion: Write down three facts about yourself on a piece of paper and have people draw randomly. Try to guess who the writer is.

-Who is Jesus? Read Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Questions:

1. John baptized people who confessed their sins. If Jesus was the Son of God, why do you think he was baptized (v9-11) and then tempted (v12-13)?

2. How do you feel that Jesus was one of us?

3. Jesus’ first action is to proclaim the “the kingdom of God is near” (v14-15). Why was this good news?

4. Some working fisherman, who were not likely to be very religious, are Jesus’ first followers (v16-20). Why do you think they follow him with so little persuasion or in formation?

5. How much does a person need to know to start following Jesus?