God’s Word for us today is Mark 1:9-15.
“He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” -Mark 1:13
After being baptized by John in the Jordan River, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness. He gets to know is adversary and the suffering it takes to oppose Satan.
Here are the small group questions we used for this message:
Small Group Discussion Week of January 10, 2010
The Big Decision: Living Strong in Christ
Opener
1. Go around the group and share one of your earlier memories of water – it could be fun, scary, or something else. (As usual, if you don’t wish to share, just say, “Pass.”)
Hearing God’s Word
2. Choose someone to read Mark 1:9-15 to the group.
Mark 1:9-15 (New Revised Standard Version)
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” 12 And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
3. Take about a minute of silence to reflect on what you’ve heard.
Discussion and Application to Our Lives
4. Jesus baptism marks the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Without it, we’d be left guessing what the Old Testament means. And those of us who aren’t Jewish, would be left out of God’s promise. Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of the work of salvation that Jesus completed at the cross. But Jesus’ baptism wasn’t the first time God brought salvation to the people through water. Here are some examples (you don’t need to look them up now, but you can at home):
Genesis 7:6-10 – Noah’s flood – God brings Noah and his family through the flood
Exodus 14:10-28 – God delivers the Israelites from the power of the Egyptian army by parting the Red Sea for them to cross.
Joshua 3:14-17 – God again parts the water and brings the people of Israel across the flooding, rushing Jordan River into the Promised Land
These were times of anxiety, fear, and waiting. Are there places in your life where you feel pinned between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea? Or needing to cross a river that’s impossibly wide and fast-flowing? If you feel comfortable, share a few words about it.
5. Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River was a beautiful event! (Mark 1:10-11) God spoke and the Spirit descended. Jesus must have felt so good! But then “immediately,” the Holy Spirit drove him out into the wilderness. (Mark 1:12). Read 1:13 aloud. Wild animals and Satan! How does that sound? Would you like to be in Jesus’ sandals?
6. So often, after a big blessing or at a moment of decision to live for Jesus Christ in some area of our lives, we Christians find ourselves in a time of testing. Have you ever experienced a time of testing? If you wish, share an example. (When you’re discussing these, be sure to leave time for the Good News ahead!)
7. Jesus made it through his time of testing to begin his ministry (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus’ secret was depending on God to sustain him. He did not go into the wilderness alone. He had the Holy Spirit to guide him, and God provided for his needs (“and the angels waited on him” verse 13).
Do you believe that God can rescue from the armies, floods, and rushing rivers that may between you and where you need to be? Is God still doing that kind of work? Can God sustain you through a time of temptation and hunger? (Discuss for a bit.)
8. Because of what Jesus did, we have extra help! Jesus himself has promised to be with us through the Holy Spirit. That brings us into the promise God gave the people if Israel back in the time of the Exodus: “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
One or two people in the group may want to share a story of how God brought them through a time of trial. How did you hand it over to God? How was God glorified in it? Could you tell that God was with you at the time or did it become clear afterwards?
Prayer and Blessing
9. Pray for each other! Choose someone to open and close your prayer time. Pray silently for the person sitting to your right. (So that you may target your prayers, if you have time, you may want to share a single sentence about where the “wilderness experience,” wild animals, temptation, flood, army, or rushing river may be in your life right now.
10. Go in peace and know that you do not go alone! As God told Moses, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14) Then listen for your marching orders from God!
NEXT WEEK: We’ll be starting our “Boot Camp: Basic Training for Christians” with a goal of helping us to open ourselves to the blessings that God wants to pour out on us. We’ll start with “Practicing Prayer” - Don’t miss it!
HOMEWORK: Review at some of the stories of God saving the people. Remind yourself that “God can handle this” whenever you start to feel overwhelmed.