For Adults
God Rules!
Week 4
"Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!
Mark 4:41b
Know
In this week's story, Jesus shows he is God by calming the sea with a word. And yet going forward he does not use his power as expected. Watch this short video by The Bible Project to explore that paradox.
For further study:
For more on Jesus as an unexpected Messiah, check out this Bible Project blog post.
For a deeper dive into how Jesus is portrayed in Mark, watch this lecture by Prof. Rikk Watts.
Grow
Cultivate Awe
Reflect or Journal
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When was the last time you experienced genuine awe? Where were you? What happened? Remember the details or try to describe it.
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Now try to place yourself in the boat with Jesus in Mark 4. Read the story several times. Imagine the details--sights, sounds, emotions.
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How can we let more awe into our relationship with God?
Listen
Awe, according to the dictionary, is "a mixed emotion of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might." That is a perfect description of the impact of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, Op. 11. The piece begins quietly, then builds in intensity and complexity to an almost overwhelming feeling of sublime involvement, only to subside and build again. This awe-inducing effect is maximized upon multiple listenings to different arrangements.
(from https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/alphabet/view/28/reverence)
Practice a Breath Prayer
Breathing in: I stand in awe...
Breathing out: Of all creation.
Repeat.
This mantra reminds us that reverence leads to awe.
Live
Practice Mindfulness
Email krisha@salemwestpres.org if you'd like the file to print and color.
Mission: Overflowing Generosity
The kids are voting this week on a gift from the catalog that we pool our resources to purchase! They would love your help also. Check out all the water-related options here:
Celebrate God's Creation
Get out and enjoy God's AWESOME creation, sign not necessary (but if you want one, let me know)!