This week on Sunday we are reading the first part of chapter 6 and in some ways it is an amazing contrast.  In the first part of the Gospel we see people who don’t have faith in Jesus – people who apparently know him; and in the second part we see people who have only known him for awhile willing to go out in His Name.

Read 6:1-6a. 

What day of the week did Jesus heal on?  Would this challenge those of his home town?

Describe the dynamics of the relationship between Jesus and those of his home town. 

How can we find a way through similar unbelief in ourselves?

Read 6:6b-13. 

When Jesus sent them out, how many did he send out together?

What might be the lesson for us when we do ministry?

Discuss the significance of the resources that the twelve had, and that they did not have. 

Do we want to be ‘safe’ or ‘sent’?

Take a moment and page through the first six chapters that you have read so far to get a sense of the flow of Mark’s story.  Mark’s Gospel so far is full of miracles and some teaching by way of parables.  He also shows us people who believe in Jesus and people who don’t.  Think about your own faith and these stories; in what way in God speaking to you through this Gospel?