IN - Are we letting 'the Jesus Way' transform our ways?

 Challenge: Take seriously the sabbath and kingdom principles of Jesus

Jesus: Forgiver and Healer - Mark 2

In the story of the paralysed man, the friends climb onto the roof to lower the man in order to reach Jesus through the crowds. It is worth us considering how much faith do we think each of the different types of people had: the teachers of the law, the crowd, the friends, and the paralysed man himself.

Jesus is on the Scene - Mark 1

Mark's gospel gets straight to it. It skips the Christmas story and runs throughout at a quick pace. Because of this and it being the shortest gospel, it is my preferred gospel to recommend to people who want to start reading the Bible.

[UP] Who do you really believe Jesus to be?

 Challenge: Turn belief into action

I have the right to do anything, but ... - 1 Corinthians 10

Today we are looking at just 1 Corinthians 10:23 - 24, but noticing the duplication with 1 Corinthians 6:12. Paul repeats this line "I have the right to do anything", but in both chapters Paul spells out that it isn't quite that straightforward!

The Kingdom of God is Messy - 1 Corinthians 7

Paul and his team had led people in Corinth to Jesus - and people had responded from their diverse and (likely) morally dubious backgrounds. Paul acted as a single man - maybe he was separated or divorced, but he certainly travelled without a wife and under contract to no-one other than Jesus: he exemplified a life given to Jesus, free to travel on mission. He also lived his life as if Jesus' return was imminent, literally 'any day now'. In discipling new Christians Paul and the team would have modelled and encouraged new believers to 'copy' them (that is discipleship, after all). So naturally those new Christians would have asked questions: "Should we be single too?", "Do all of us have to start travelling in mission?", and "If Jesus' return is imminent, should I go through with my plans to marry?". This leads to the generic question: "In becoming a Christian, how much of my 'before Jesus' situation must be changed?".

[OUT] Where is God training you to be clearer and more direct in reaching out to others?

Challenge: Offer to pray someone - because you believe in Jesus who changes lives

Morality 101 The Sequel - 1 Corinthians 6

Does it bug you when you see someone that appears to be going backwards in their development? That was the deal for Paul writing to the Corinthians believers. He had to berate them about their disputes, and how they took each other to a secular court rather than finding a way together as brothers or sisters in Christ. In verse 8 he is effectively saying 'you behaviour is descending'!

Morality 101 - 1 Corinthians 5

Just about all people have some kind of morality code or standards they live by. When Paul preached in Corinth he preached to broadly two types of people. First the Jews, who had a strong morality code based on Old Testament Law, and second to the Greek culture. This was much more fluid, but even in that culture philosophers had written forms of behaviour code. The fact is that any group of people develop codes between themselves. Sometimes they take time, sometimes driven by the bad things that happen - for example Facebook 'Groups' first developed levels of permission, now have options for 'group codes of conduct' etc. In the fluid situation of Corinth, where there certainly were excesses, Paul preached Jesus Christ crucified and raised. Some responded ... and those that did are now working out what it means for them to live in obedience to Jesus.

[IN] To what extent are you making your daily choices obedient to the way Jesus wants you to live?

Challenge: Be open with a trusted prayer partner about areas of difficulty