https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWJo2EZW8yU
As Willy Wonka said, “Strike that. Reverse it.” I know you have so little time and so much to do. Isn’t that the case for everyone? I guarantee the 10 minutes you spend reading Mark excerpts and discussing them using your Mark Family Guide, will be some of the most meaningful minutes in your day.
A couple of things I want to share with you as you dive in:
- We designed these questions to work for everyone. Our intent is for them to be accessible to a 4-year-old, a 14-year-old, mom, dad, grandpa, Rover…well, maybe not Rover, but you get the point. You will know your children and their hearts better if you take the time to talk through the daily question.
- I feel the need to share this with you because it’s the reason I struggle with Mark – there are a lot of demons. Mark harps a lot on the demonic and in such a short book, it can seem overwhelming. When I was a kid (and maybe still today), demonic stuff freaked me out. When I was in 3rd grade and my classmates were talking a lot about the devil, I told my mom how much it scared me. She gave me wise words I still repeat to myself today. She said, “You don’t have to be afraid because you have Jesus in your heart and there’s no room for anything else.” If your child is afraid of all the demonic talk, feel free to borrow these wise words. They’re true.
April 26: Mark 1:1-13
Today’s Takeaways:
- John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus.
- Jesus started his ministry by being baptized and tested.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- John the Baptist told people they needed to repent, or turn away from, their sins so they could be forgiven. Why do you think it’s important to ask for forgiveness for our sins?
April 29: Mark 1:14-28
Today’s Takeaways:
- When Jesus started his ministry, he invited others to join him.
- Jesus cast out evil spirits and people started hearing about it.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- How do you think you would have reacted if Jesus showed up to your school/work and asked you to drop everything and follow him?
April 30: Mark 1:29-45
Today’s Takeaways:
- Jesus healed many people.
- Jesus took time alone to pray.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- Jesus was often surrounded by crowds, but when he wanted or needed to pray, he went somewhere alone. How do you like to pray?
May 1: Mark 2:1-12
Today’s Takeaways:
- Jesus healed the man to prove he truly was capable of forgiving sins.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- The paralyzed man had such great friends! They were willing to do anything to get their friend to Jesus so he could heal them. Which ones of your friends would do something similar for you?
May 2: Mark 2:13-22
Today’s Takeaways:
- Jesus worked with and was friends with people who others thought were the wrong kind of people.
- Jesus cared about the rules, but realized that following him trumped the rules if the two didn’t line up.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- Jesus made friends with people who most people wouldn’t be friends with. How can you befriend someone who is otherwise excluded?
May 3: Mark 2:23-28
Today’s Takeaways:
- The Sabbath is the day we set aside to focus on God instead of our regular lives.
- Jesus knew resting on the Sabbath was meant to bless people, not harm them.
Today’s Talking Topic:
- Other than going to church, what’s one way we can make our Sundays more about resting and focusing on God?
Munger Kids 