Week 1

• What’s one of the biggest “a-ha” moments of your life?

4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Mark 1:4-8 (NIV) Key Thought: Repent: change the way you think, and that changes everything

• Share a time when you needed a major change in your spiritual life. How did you respond to your need?

• Alan said most people don’t experience major change because of unbelief, blending in, and fear. Which of these three do you feel keeps you from experiencing major change?

Key Thoughts: Steps to change your thinking: 1. Obey God now. 2. Practice times of solitude. 3. Be part of a team. 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

Mark 1:9-11 (NIV)

• What’s one thing God wants you to do that you’re not doing?

• What has kept you from obeying God with this request? At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Mark 1:12-13 (NIV)

• Do you practice times of solitude? Why or why not?

• What does your times of solitude look like and feel like?

• What’s your greatest barrier to practicing times of solitude? 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1:14-20 (NIV)

• What kind of “team” do you have around you to support you?

• In what ways does your “team” grow you?

• What’s one way you can better contribute to your “team”? Final Thought: Change the way you think and it will change everything.

For Further Study

Open • What kind of invitations do you enjoy receiving? Why?

Read Mark 1:14-20 Explore • Why did Jesus go to Galilee? (1:14)

• What did Jesus do in Galilee? (1:14) • How were the two parts of Jesus’ message connected? (1:15) • How did Jesus want people to respond to the fact that the kingdom

of God was near? (1:15) • What did Jesus tell the people they must do besides believe His

good news? (1:15) • Whom did Jesus call to be His followers? (1:16, 19) • How did Jesus get people to follow Him? (1:17) • What does it mean to be "fishers of men"? (1:17) • How did Simon and Andrew respond to Jesus’ call? (1:17) • What sacrifice did James and John make to follow Jesus? (1:20)

Reflect • What does Christ expect us to give up to follow Him?

• What are you willing to give up in order to follow Christ? • What does it mean for a person to sacrifice personal

achievements, friends, or even family for the sake of Christ? • What does Jesus ask all of us to do? • What can you learn from the disciples’ response to Jesus’ call? • How can you obey Christ’s commands more faithfully? • What prevents you from following Jesus wholeheartedly? • What action is necessary to eliminate these hindrances from your

life with Christ?

Apply

• What specific attitude or action should you give up now as an act of following Christ?

• How can you follow Jesus this week?