SCRIPTURE BY Doug Smith
Scripture Lesson Text: Mark3:13-19; 6:6b-13
Related Scriptures: Matthew 19: 1-15; 12: 22-32; Luke 11: 14-23;
I John 5: 14-17
Today’s lesson opens with our Lord going up to a mountain and calling the would-be disciples unto Him. From those who came, the 12 was chosen, and ordained. These are they whom He sent forth to preach and was given power to heal sickness, and cast out devils, even Judas Iscariot, who would also betray Him. In Mark 6: 6b-13, we see that Jesus went about the villages teaching, and this is when He begun to send the disciples out two by two.
In Matthew 10:1-15, we see that it has been included in the instructions , the places in which our Lord instructed the disciples to go. In this account, they were told to preach as they went about saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 12:22-32, we see that the religious leaders was accusing Jesus of casting out evil spirits and healing by the power of Satan. Our Lord, explains to those religious leaders that a kingdom divided could not stand and that He casted out devils by the Spirit of God.
Luke 11:14-23, gives us more insight into the exchange that was taking place between the religious leaders and Jesus. They made accusations against Him and His authority over the devil. This account also uses the phrase (vs. 20 ),” But if I with the finger of God cast out devils…” In I John 5:14-17, John reminds us that, “ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (vs. 14,15)
SYNOPSIS BY Janice Hall
Jesus often found it difficult to get away from the crowd, but this time of seclusion was essential. The night before, Jesus had spent alone praying to God.( ref: Luke 6:12). After having dialogue with His Father, the time came for Jesus to choose who would be His closest followers. He had already chose, Simon and Andrew ( Mark 1: 6-17), James and John ( Mark 1:19-20) and Levi ( Mark 2: 13-14), while the others are named in verses 16 and 17. The choosing of the twelve and their commission was held on the mountainside, where just the disciples could hear Him.
When the men get the call they were to follow Jesus in mind and spirit. They apparently showed interest in His ministry beyond the healings and their hearts were opened to His teachings. This was just the beginning and the twelve knew at this moment they needed to say “ yes”.
The disciples were to carry on what Jesus started. He had made the choice with the wisdom of God. In the future, they would allow Jesus to work in their hearts and learn about a worthwhile sacrifice. The disciple learned by being with and hearing from his master.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY Brittenne Boykin
In this week’s lesson we find Jesus sending out his disciples to do the work that he had been preparing them to do. They had walked with Jesus, seen him interact and relate to people from all walks of life. He had modeled humility, prayer, kindness and service and now it would be them who would preach the gospel even as they lived it. (Vs.14 ) .He not only ordained them to preach the gospel but with the same power with which He himself healed the sick and cast out devils (Vs.15.) .Christ models for them that which He expects from us, a total dependence on God.
> He shows us the power of a common goal and a community united in that same goal. The disciples although not perfect and very different even from one another would go out in teams of two and spread the gospel. (Vs.7) They show us that great things can be accomplished when we lean on one another. Christ had sent them out in twos so that when difficulty arose they would have one another and each one would have someone to help bear the load. They were to go to a home and if that house received them to stay there, they were to make that place their home base and focus on the one important thing: spreading the gospel by building community.
> We have an amazing model in the disciples, because they show us that great things happen when we focus on the main thing, advancing God’s kingdom and focusing on what He is concerned about. They didn’t take extra possessions or material goods (Vs.8) but, relied on the generosity of each home and community that they came to. It also bears mention that Christ told them that if they were not received, to keep it moving. Let us not take it personally when our efforts to share the gospel or spread kindness are not received, and must remember that when we are not received it is God who is being rejected. They remind us that we are empowered by God to do His work in His strength (Vs.12), so we continue to follow Christ’s example for ministry both in the 4 walls of the church and in the communities that He has placed us in!
