Sometimes in books and movies, part way through the storyteller flashes back to an earlier time. The book of Mark tells us nothing about Jesus early years of life. We jumped right into his baptism and ministry. So let’s take a flashback during Advent and Christmas and look at the “backstage story” of Jesus. Who are the people in his story? What is his birth story? What was God doing right from the beginning? Your devotions each week will include a reading from one of the other gospels, a reading from Mark 9, and a psalm. I pray that these other parts of God’s Great Story and the life of Jesus will speak to you in new ways during this season.

This week we will read some of the Old Testament prophecies about who the Messiah would be. LONG before Jesus came as a baby, God was preparing his people. May God prepare you during this season.

Day 1: Isaiah 7:13-14
What name of Jesus is given here? Pray that you would experience His presence with you throughout December and beyond.

Day 2: Isaiah 9:6-7
What are Jesus’ names in these verses? Ask him to show you how he is these names in your life.

Day 3: Isaiah 53:1-3
How do these verses describe Jesus? Do you think Jesus can relate to your struggles?

Day 4: Isaiah 53:4-11
What did Jesus do for us?

Day 5: Psalm 22
Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1 while hanging on the cross. As you read the rest of the chapter look for other phrases that describe what happened to Jesus. Look also for encouraging words for people struggling through hard times.

Listen to and download the full sermon here:​

Mark 8 Devo

Day 1: Mark 8:11-21
What signs have you already seen that tell you that Jesus is real? Have you ever told anyone about what you have seen? Pray about how you could do that during this Thanksgiving week.

Day 2: Mark 8:22-30
Who do you say Jesus is? How would you describe who Jesus is to you for someone who doesn’t know him?

Day 3: Mark 8:31-9:1
Mark 8:34-37 challenges me continually. I challenge you to read it in different versions this week and ask God to speak to you about what you are gaining and losing by the choices you are making today.

Day 4: THANKSGIVING
If your family does not take time to verbally share what you are thankful for, be a trendsetter! Gather everyone around and share one thing you are thankful for. You might be surprised how God shows up.

Day 5: Mark 9:2-13
When Jesus took a few disciples away, they got to see him in a new way. Take some extra time to be alone with Jesus today. Maybe pray a little longer. Maybe journal your prayer. Maybe read back through Mark remembering where we have come from. Maybe read ahead looking forward to what is to come. Maybe take a walk without music and talk to Jesus.

Listen to and download the mini-sermon here:​

5 Day Devotional

Day 1: Read Mark 4:1-9. Imagine you went to hear Jesus preach. And this is the story he told. He did not explain it to the crowd. Try to pray and think about just this story before tomorrow when you read about what it means.

Day 2: Read Mark 4:10-20. Which kind of soil are you? Not what kind of soil were you 20 years ago or last year. What kind of soil are you today? Ask God to show you.

Day 3: Read Mark 4:21-25. Count the number of lights you have in your house. Why do you have so many? Bonus: Read Matthew 5:14-16. Are you a light? What would a human light do?

Day 4: Read Mark 4:26-29. What might this parable tell us about our job in the Kingdom and God’s job in the Kingdom?

Day 5: Read Mark 4:30-34. Why would Jesus use so many parables instead of simply telling them what to think and what to do?

Remember our regular questions:

1. What do I learn about Jesus?

Nini nimejifunza kuhusu Yesu?

1. What do I learn about people?

Nini nimejifunza kuhusu watu?

1. So what? (What is God saying to me in this passage? How does this apply to my life?)

Sasa je? (Ni nini Mungu ananizungumuzia kwa neno hili? Namna haya yapata na maisha yangu?)

1. Who can I tell this week about what I learned?

Ni nani nawez kueleza haya nilyojifunza kwa juma hii?

​Listen to and download Pastor Joanna's full sermon here:

Devotion for the Week
5 Day Reading Plan
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Day 1: Read back through Mark 2 again and look for all of the “Wait, what?” moments. Hint: 2:9-10; 2:17; 2:19; 2:21-22. Which one is hardest for you to accept? Which one is hardest for you to put into practice? Write out that verse and read it through and think about it each day this week. Watch for the ways God may provide for you to put it into practice.
Day 2: Read this other version of Mark 2:1-12 “Wait, what?” passage from Matthew 9:1-7. Does it tell you anything different? Are there different words that help the story come to life? Are there different words that make you think of the truth in a different way? Explain.
Day 3: Read this other version of Mark 2:13-17 “Wait, what?” passage from Matthew 8:9-13. Does something different come to your mind?
Day 4: Read this other version of Mark 2:18-22 “Wait, what?” passage from Matthew 8:14-17. What is different? Does it help you think differently about the truth?
Day 5: Read Mark 3:1-6. It is another “Wait, what?” story. What is the key verse in this passage? Write it out and think through how you use your “Sabbath” – what we now just call “my day off.” Does it line up with what Jesus is saying the Sabbath is for?
 
Remember our regular questions:

1. What do I learn about Jesus?

Nini nimejifunza kuhusu Yesu?

1. What do I learn about people?

Nini nimejifunza kuhusu watu?

1. So what? (What is God saying to me in this passage? How does this apply to my life?)

Sasa je? (Ni nini Mungu ananizungumuzia kwa neno hili? Namna haya yapata na maisha yangu?)

1. Who can I tell this week about what I learned?

Ni nani nawez kueleza haya nilyojifunza kwa juma hii?

Listen to and download Pastor Joanna's full sermon here:

Devotion for the Week:
Read Mark 1:14-45

If you want to break it up over 6 days try this:
Day 1: Read all of Mark 1 like you would read a story. Feel how the individual stories flow together instead of seeing them all separately. Feel the excitement of all that is happening. Think about what someone who is observing Jesus do all these thing might be thinking. What words would you use to describe Jesus from this chapter?

The next 5 days read these small sections of Mark 1 and each day answer the 4 questions following.
Day 2: Mark 1:14-20
Day 3: Mark 1:21-28
Day 4: Mark 1:29-34
Day 5: Mark 1:35-39
Day 6: Mark 1:40-45

Questions:
1. What do I learn about Jesus?
2. What do I learn about people?
3. So what? (What is God saying to me in this passage? How does this apply to my life?)
4. Who can I tell this week about what I learned?

Try something different:
If you have a smartphone, you can download the YouVersion Bible app. Not only does this app give you many different versions of the Bible to read and compare, but it also has the Bible in many languages... including Kiswahili. AND many of the versions have audio as well! So you can drive and listen, walk and listen, or do dishes and listen. It's a great way to get God's word into your heart and mind.

In English we like the Common English Bible (CEB) and New Living Translation (NLT). NLT has audio.

In Kiswahili we like the Biblia Habari Njema (BHN) version which uses different voices, music, and sounds.

Next week:
Mark 2:1-17

Listen to and download the sermon here:

Walking with Jesus: A Study in Mark begins today with week one's sermon and study: preparation.

Devotion for the Week:
Read Mark 1:1-13