Jesus, who called his disciples, now sends them on their first mission trip, to tell that the kingdom of God is at hand. Is that threatening language from Jesus a clue that we better shape up, or is it a promise of hope for all those who feel like a sheep without a shepherd?
This year was another great success, providing so many children with the bags and supplies they need for the new school year.
Our class on September 17, 2026, explored how Jesus's miracles and teachings in Mark 6-8 challenge worldly power, culminating in Peter's flawed confession and Jesus's radical call to a discipleship of self-denial and sacrifice.
When the world feels frozen in a bleak winter, God shows us the almond branch. He is awake. He is on the move. Jesus took the destruction upon Himself on the cross so He could plant the breath of new life in you!
"While the Gospel of Mark is the shortest, it is the most direct; it reveals that the true Son of God is found not in our desires for power, but in the God who comes in humility to amaze us all."
New growth requires broken ground. In Jeremiah, we experience the heavy work of God's Law uprooting our self-reliance, making way for the Gospel to plant us securely in His grace.
Mark chapter 7, where we discussed textual criticism, how Jesus contrasts God's commands with human traditions, and that true defilement comes from the heart, not external rituals, as seen in His teachings and His interaction with the Syrophoenician woman.
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![Genesis [Tuesday Bible Study] 10:00am](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/a502215c-0fa5-4f83-9cbd-7605b5239368/Bible+Study+2+%2848%29.png)
![[Sunday] Uproot & Plant - The Book of Jeremiah](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1789087931980-5V7RY7VJFSE5E7PXNKUT/uproot+1a.jpg)
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![Mark [Wednesday Bible Study]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/ba6ca3bb-2b74-4e61-a480-be2a15a0af81/Bible+Study+2+%282%29.jpg)
It’s incredibly easy to look at the world, point fingers, and feel secure just because we are the righteous. Jeremiah 7 shows us how God wants to uproot our pride and plant His grace.