THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 3, 2021 - Episode 1

The Beginning of Mark’s Story Mark 1:1-3 

1 This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. 2 Long ago Isaiah the prophet wrote, 

“I will send my messenger ahead of you.  He will prepare your way.” 3 “A messenger is calling out in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord.  Make straight paths for him.’ ” 

 Do you have time for a family conversation?  1. Do you know what Old Testament book also has the word “beginning” in the first sentence? Do you think Mark is helping us understand something about Jesus by connecting his life to creation? 2. Messiah, or Christ, means “anointed one.” This was Israel’s language for the person who would be from King David’s family and who would rescue them from their enemies. The phrase “Son of God” refers to a person whom God has chosen or appointed to rule on his behalf. These two titles were given to Jesus – what do you suppose Mark wants us to know about the kind of story he wrote? 3. Mark includes two quotes from the Old Testament in verses two and three. The sentence “Make straight paths for him” is from Isaiah 40:3 and is the only Old Testament reference that is quoted in all four gospel stories. In what kind of ways could we prepare for Jesus (individually and as a community)?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 10, 2021 - Episode 2

John the Baptist proclaims the good news 

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the desert. He preached that people should be baptized and turn away from their sins. Then God would forgive them. 5 All the people from the countryside of Judea went out to him. All the people from Jerusalem went too. When they admitted they had sinned, John baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothes made out of camel’s hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 Here is what John was preaching. “After me, there is someone coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not good enough to bend down and untie his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water. But he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus Is baptized, tempted in the desert, and proclaims the good news  9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee. John baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. 10 Jesus was coming up out of the water. Just then he saw heaven being torn open. Jesus saw the Holy Spirit coming down on him like a dove. 11 A voice spoke to him from heaven. It said, “You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you.” 12 At once the Holy Spirit sent Jesus out into the desert. 13 He was in the desert 40 days. There Satan tempted him. The wild animals didn’t harm Jesus. Angels took care of him. 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee. He preached the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Turn away from your sins and believe the good news!”

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 10, 2021 - Episode 2

Do you have time for a family conversation?  1. What does “baptism” mean? Why was John the Baptist baptizing people in the Jordan River? Why did Jesus get baptized? And, what does it mean to be baptized “with the Holy Spirit”? 2. Both John and Jesus preached the good news. Have you ever heard someone say, “I have good news!”? So, what do you think it means when God comes to us and says, “I have good news!”?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 17, 2021 - Episode 3

Jesus Invites People to Follow Him Mark 1:16-20 

16 One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. 17 “Come and follow me,” Jesus said. “I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets. 20 Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.

Do you have time for a family conversation?  1. Can you think of a time when it is really important to follow your mom or your dad really close in order to make sure you do not get lost? Try to think of places you have been that are really busy and have a lot of people. 2. When you think about physically following someone (like your mom or dad) you are actually placing your feet where they stepped in order to walk in the exact same direction they are walking. Do you think you can also “follow” someone by talking like them, or behaving like them? Try to think about an example. 3. Jesus invited people to follow him, not only because he wanted them to actually walk where he was walking in that time, but also that people would live their life (talking and behaving and even thinking!) like him. Jesus invites you to follow him as well. What is one thing you know about Jesus that you would like to follow?    

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 17, 2021 - Episode 3

For Parents:  The word “follow” is obviously both literal and representational in this story. It is literal in the sense that for a temporary time, these fishermen actually left their jobs behind to hang out with Jesus. This may have been off and on, that is, they may have hung out with Jesus for a few days or weeks and then did some fishing in between. But this literal following lasted about three years (we think!) before Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and then ascended. It is representational in the sense that these fishermen were encouraged to live their lives the way Jesus taught even when he was not with them to show them. Jesus wants us to imitate him, to behave like him, to talk like him and to ultimately treat people the way he did. You can explain this to your kids, but what they really need is for you to model it. What might be one way for you to begin (or continue!) a journey of “following” Jesus in order that your kids might see what this looks like?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 24, 2021 - Episode 4 Hello BV Families, This week’s Scripture reading from the Gospel of Mark tells us three different stories that are all related because they are stories of healing and about Jesus’ authority to respond to sickness (Mark 1:21-34; 40-45 – we will go back to Mark 1:35-39 next Sunday!). In the first story Jesus heals a man in the Capernaum synagogue who has an evil spirit. The second story follows as Jesus visits Peter’s home and heals his mother-in-law. The third story is about Jesus healing a man with leprosy. The emphasis in the BV Kids video is only on the first story (Mark 1:21-28) where Jesus heals a man who has an evil spirit. He does this on the Sabbath in the synagogue in a town called Capernaum. And the reason I wanted to focus on this story is that it begins and ends in the exact same way: the people were amazed. Read the story again (the second and third stories will be included at the bottom) and have a conversation about some of the questions I have listed below.

Jesus Heals a Man with an Evil Spirit  21 Jesus and those with him went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue. There he began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching. That’s because he taught them like one who had authority. He did not talk like the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue cried out. He was controlled by an evil spirit. He said, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus firmly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man wildly. Then it came out of him with a scream. 27 All the people were amazed. So they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching! And with so much authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.” 28 News about Jesus spread quickly all over Galilee.

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 24, 2021 - Episode 4   For Further Conversation With Your Kids:  1. Mark tells us that the people in the synagogue (Jewish “church” building) were amazed by Jesus’ teaching. Have you ever been “amazed” about something? What did you say? What did you do? Was it also amazing or important to anyone else? What made it “amazing”? 2. One of the reasons that the people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching is that he taught with authority. The people were not used to this kind of teaching. Do you have good teachers in your life? Who are they? What characteristics are in your favorite teachers? 3. The authority that Jesus taught with was also demonstrated in his actions – he healed people who were sick, who had diseases, and who had evil spirits in them. There are many stories even today of people experiencing healing because they trusted God (and because God often provides healing through health care and various medication!). Have a conversation about trusting God when we don’t feel good – it can be as minor as an upset stomach to something more severe that might make you need to go to the hospital. More (adult) Information and Conversation:  1. The “Sabbath Day” is a Jewish celebration that specifically recalls Yahweh’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. It begins at sundown on Friday (6pm ish?) and ends at sundown on Saturday (a Jewish day begins with evening and night). Christians don’t celebrate the Sabbath, but we observe “the Lord’s Day” which is Sunday. This also recalls God’s deliverance of people. It is on Sunday instead of Saturday because the resurrection of Jesus was Sunday morning. We will talk more about Sabbath rules in a few Sundays from now – but share about the gift or burden the Sabbath is or has been for you? 2. One of the reasons the people were so amazed at Jesus’ teaching is that he taught differently than what the tradition would have been in that time. Teachers of the Law, or rabbi’s, would have read the Scriptures (the Old Testament) and the only “commentary” or “explanation” would have been to repeat the tradition of the Oral Torah (or the Oral Law). So, when Jesus would explain what the Scriptures mean after reading them, without necessarily carrying on the Oral Law tradition, he assumes an authority that most teachers in that time would not have. Reflect on the teachings in the church today. What is it that amazes you? (this is not a question about presentation, but about what is being said).

     

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 24, 2021 - Episode 4   The Remaining Two Healing Stories From the Gospel of Mark:  Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-In-Law and Many Others  29 Jesus and those with him left the synagogue. Right away they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her. He took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her. Then she began to serve them. 32 That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who were sick. They also brought all who were controlled by demons. 33 All the people in town gathered at the door. 34 Jesus healed many of them. They had all kinds of sicknesses. He also drove out many demons. But he would not let the demons speak, because they knew who he was. Jesus Heals a Man Who Had a Skin Disease  40 A man who had a skin disease came to Jesus. On his knees he begged Jesus. He said, “If you are willing to make me ‘clean,’ you can do it.” 41 Jesus became angry. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing to do it,” Jesus said. “Be ‘clean’!” 42 Right away the disease left the man, and he was “clean.” 43 Jesus sent him away at once. He gave the man a strong warning. 44 “Don’t tell this to anyone,” he said. “Go and show yourself to the priest. Offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded. It will be a witness to the priest and the people that you are ‘clean.’ ” 45 But the man went out and started talking right away. He spread the news to everyone. So Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. He stayed outside in lonely places. But people still came to him from everywhere.

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 31, 2021 - Episode 5

Hello BV Families, Last week we looked at three healing stories in Mark’s gospel, which took us to the end of chapter one. In doing so, we skipped over five verses in chapter one, which we will turn to this morning. Mark 1:35-39 is a small snippet that is tucked away into these stories of healing, which might say something about the importance of it. Jesus makes some space to pray by himself, and he does, it appears he receives clarity about his mission.

Jesus Prays in a Quiet Place Mark 1:35-39  35 It was very early in the morning and still dark. Jesus got up and left the house. He went to a place where he could be alone. There he prayed. 36 Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. 37 When they found him, they called out, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let’s go somewhere else. I want to go to the nearby towns. I must preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled all around Galilee. He preached in their synagogues. He also drove out demons.

For further conversation with your kids: 

1. Praying is talking and listening to God. The most important thing to remember about prayer is that God is listening to you, and he really cares about what you think and have to say, because God loves you very much!

2. Pastor Jeff explained three different ways of praying. Take some time to talk about each way of talking with God. What way do you like the best? What is more difficult for you? Why?

a. Asking – One way of talking to God is by asking God for something. Sometimes we ask for things for ourselves and other times we ask for someone else that we care about. What kinds of things have you been asking for?

b. Thanking – It is always good to think positively, even when times are tough, and think about all of the good things in your life. And when we do this, it is also good to thank God for all of these good things – and people!

c. Praising – Praising God is sorta like thanking him, but more specifically it is telling God that we love him. We might say something good about God, that he provides what we need, that he is worthy of praise, that he is good. In what ways are you praising God?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Jan 31, 2021 - Episode 5 More (adult) information and conversation: 

1. Jesus removes himself from distraction in order to gain clarity about what to do next. And in his answer to Peter when everyone seems to be looking for him, it appears Jesus received the clarity he was looking for. What might this mean for you when life is a bit foggy?

2. Jesus makes time to pray. He is God’s Son (which another way of saying that he is God!) and he prayed. I wonder if he mostly listened or mostly talked? Either way, it seems like a good practice to make time for prayer. What might this mean for you?

3. For the many things that this small story teaches us about prayer and about Jesus’ attentiveness to the mission he was given, what it does not teach us is how to pass on a life of prayer to our kids. The kind of prayer Jesus is modeling in this story makes prayer a private matter. But prayer in the open is also a value because it teaches those who are watching the importance of prayer. Jesus will later warn people about flaunting their prayers in public – so we need to be careful about our approach – but prayer, out loud prayer, is not only good for you but it can also be good for those around you. What next steps might you want to consider regarding prayer?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 7, 2021 - Episode 6 Hello BV Families, Last week we looked at the small story in Mark 1:35-39 where Jesus woke up early in the morning to spend some time in prayer. Today, the Story Mark Tells involves a paralyzed man that is famous for his mat – famous because his friends lower him down on the mat from a hole they make in the roof of the house Jesus that Jesus was in. They need to make the hole because the crowds prevented them from entering through the door. This was an incredible act of faith – and once again the crowds were amazed!

Jesus heals and forgives a man who could not walk Mark 2:1-12  1 A few days later, Jesus entered Capernaum again. The people heard that he had come home. 2 So many people gathered that there was no room left. There was not even room outside the door. And Jesus preached the word to them. 3 Four of those who came were carrying a man who could not walk. 4 But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole by digging through the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat. 5 Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Some teachers of the law were sitting there. They were thinking, 7 “Why is this fellow talking like that? He’s saying a very evil thing! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Is it easier to say to this man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’? Or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk. 11 “I tell you,” he said, “get up. Take your mat and go home.” 12 The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, “We have never seen anything like this!”

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 7, 2021 - Episode 6 For further conversation with your kids: 

1. Did you try to imagine the man being let down through a hole in the roof? I always giggle a little when picturing this in my mind. In this story the friends of the man who couldn’t walk expressed their faith. Faith is another way of talking about how we trust. Trust happens when you have full confidence about the way someone loves you. It doesn’t mean you always get what you want, it means you are accepting your circumstances because you trust the person who is responsible for you. Who are some people in your life that you trust (completely)? Why do you trust them?

2. Do you trust God? In what ways do you show your faith that you have accepted your circumstances because you trust God (who is ultimately responsible for you)?

3. What do you think it means to forgive someone? Pastor Jeff explained in the BV Kids video that forgiveness means that you no longer require payment to make things equal. When you forgive, you stop requiring something to happen in order to repair your relationship with the person who hurt you. Do you remember a time when you forgave someone? Is there someone you need to forgive today?

More information and conversation for parents, individuals, and home groups: 

1. Fun Fact: the Greek text does not say: “made an opening in the roof.” It literally says: “they unroofed the roof.” Which, or course, does not sound as nice in English, but is quite appropriate in Greek. It says in verse 4 that they “dug,” which comes from a Greek word that can also mean to “break up” – the idea is that the roof was made of natural materials that needed to be dismantled or dug up in order to make a hole. Hopefully they had permission! All of that to point out this: for Jesus, and John Mark, people were always more important than structures or material goods. Faith (trust) is mostly about our care for other people. Sometimes it is the things we own that gets in the way of a more complete trust with God.

2. One of the reasons we are even able to forgive people when they hurt us is because we have faith. As explained above, faith is expressing trust in the person who is responsible for us, and ultimately this is God. Which means, when we do not forgive someone, it says something about our current relationship with God. Of course, it is a little more complicated than that – but if there is someone you have not forgiven, you might want

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THE STORY MARK TELLS

to ask why? What are you holding onto that you might want to consider letting go of (which is a way of trusting, or faithing)?

Feb 7, 2021 - Episode 6

3. Today Christians often are confused about the relationship between faith and science

when it comes to illness. Whether severe illness or the common cold, do we trust God to heal us, or do we trust our medical system, hospitals, doctors, nurses, counsellors, psychiatrists, and other professional help, and medication? When we ask this question the way I did, we ignore how God is a crucial part in the provisions of our medical system, which means it is probably a bad question. Perhaps a better question is: do you ultimately trust God for your circumstances, even while living as healthy as you can, and getting whatever help that seems appropriate at the time from professionals? Discuss how you view the relationship of God and our medical system.

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 14, 2021 - Episode 7 Hello BV Families, This week in The Story Mark Tells, Jesus is “in the house” again, but this time it’s because he received an invitation to party with Levi and friends. And this is when we learn that Jesus does not see himself as a judge who pronounces right and wrong – but as a doctor, who has come for those aware of their need for healing. Tim Geddert, my professor from Fresno, CA., is speaking this Sunday, and will also be including the following story in Mark 2:18-22. So, I have posted that below with some thoughts – but the kids story will simply be Levi’s Party!

Jesus hangs out with Levi and his friends (Mark 2:13-17)  

13 Once again Jesus went out beside the Sea of Galilee. A large crowd came to him. He began to teach them. 14 As he walked along he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus. Levi was sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him. Levi got up and followed him. 15 Later Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples. They were part of the large crowd following Jesus. 16 Some teachers of the law who were Pharisees were there. They saw Jesus eating with sinners and tax collectors. So they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 Jesus heard that. So he said to them, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”

For further conversation with your kids: 

1. Have you ever been to a hospital or clinic to see a doctor? Were you scared? Is your doctor nice? Did your doctor have some good advice for you? Discuss your experiences with doctors and medicine.

2. In our story this morning, Jesus compares himself with a doctor. He says that doctors come to help those who are sick. What kind of sickness do you think Jesus helps people with?

3. In our story this morning, Mark tells us that Jesus was spending time with people that the religious leaders did not approve of. In other words, Jesus liked to be with all kinds of people. What kind of an example is Jesus setting for us to follow?

  

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 14, 2021 - Episode 7 More information and conversation for parents, individuals, and home groups: 

1. Levi’s other name is Matthew – tradition says that this is the same Matthew who wrote the gospel in our New Testament (read the same story here: Matthew 9:9-13). Either way, Levi (Matthew) is probably the source of this story for Mark. If you personally have a more “outsider” life story, you might be able to relate to an experience when someone disregarded the religious privilege and made you feel special. Have a discussion about “insider” and “outsider” experiences in the church.

2. The party at Levi’s house is a classic text for illustrating why it is ok for us to be “friends with sinners.” Of course, we all understand that Jesus was not there to find friends because he lacked something in his own life – but to find friends so that they too could experience God’s love and flourish. This might be very different than my reasons (or yours?). What might it mean for me to have a network of friendships, regardless of religious affiliation, so that I can share God’s love?

3. The story that follows the party at Levi’s house (below) continues the “new” approach Jesus has, which the religious leaders question and struggle to understand. So, Jesus makes it really clear: if you want God’s “newness” in your life, you will need to replace your containers which you have developed over time, which may have been very useful earlier, but no longer serve the purpose for the present and the future. This does not mean throwing out everything you knew before. But it does mean holding at least some of it loosely because it may be the one thing that prevents you from a full relationship with God. Any idea what that might be for you?

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting 

18 John’s disciples and the Pharisees were going without eating. Some people came to Jesus. They said to him, “John’s disciples are fasting. The disciples of the Pharisees are also fasting. But your disciples are not. Why aren’t they?” 19 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the groom go without eating while he is with them? They will not fast as long as he is with them. 20 But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. On that day they will go without eating. 21 “No one sews a patch of new cloth on old clothes. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse. 22 No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins. Then the wine and the wineskins will both be destroyed. No, people pour new wine into new wineskins.”   

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 21, 2021 - Episode 8 Hello BV Families, This week in The Story Mark Tells, Jesus is walking with his disciples through some grain fields and he is given opportunity to explain how the Jewish people should have been viewing and practicing the Sabbath Day. Read our story with us in Mark 2:23-28 and see how Jesus makes a huge shift from legalism and rules to the gift of grace.  Jesus teaches the people about the Sabbath Day  

23 One Sabbath day Jesus was walking with his disciples through the grainfields. The disciples began to break off some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath day. Why are your disciples doing it?”  25 He answered, “Haven’t you ever read about what David did? He and his men were hungry. They needed food. 26 It was when Abiathar was high priest. David entered the house of God and ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it. David also gave some to his men.”  27 Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath day was made for man. Man was not made for the Sabbath day. 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”  3  Another time Jesus went into the synagogue. A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. 2 Some Pharisees were trying to find fault with Jesus. They watched him closely. They wanted to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath day. 3 Jesus spoke to the man with the weak and twisted hand. “Stand up in front of everyone,” he said.  4 Then Jesus asked them, “What does the Law say we should do on the Sabbath day? Should we do good? Or should we do evil? Should we save life? Or should we kill?” But no one answered.  5 Jesus looked around at them in anger. He was very upset because their hearts were stubborn. Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand had become as good as new. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to make plans with the Herodians. They wanted to kill Jesus. 

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 21, 2021 - Episode 8 For further conversation with your kids: 1. Do you know what “Sabbath” means? It comes from a Hebrew word meaning to stop! And when we use this to describe our work, we think about resting. The Jews practiced the Sabbath on Saturday. Christians normally “rest” on Sunday, but it doesn’t always work nicely for everyone because some people work on Sundays . . . like pastors! What do you do on Sunday? 2. In our story this morning, Jesus teaches that a Sabbath Day, or a day of rest, should be for doing good. What kind of things can you think of that would be “good things” for you to do on Sundays, or the day in the week that you “rest”? More information and conversation for parents, individuals, and home groups: I grew up with a fairly legalistic view of keeping the Sabbath, which of course was Sunday! Only later did I realize the evangelical culture I grew up in had merged the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) with the Christian observance of the Lord’s Day (Sunday), and in so doing applied all of the legalism of the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, whom he rebuked. In other words, we are still having trouble shaking off the rules and just enjoying God’s good gifts to us, and for others. What was your experience of the Sabbath growing up?

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THE STORY MARK TELLS Feb 28, 2021 - Episode 9 Hello BV Families, This week in The Story Mark Tells, Jesus is in a crowded house because there are many people who want to be with him (Mark 3:20-21; 31-35). His family is really concerned about him and want him to come home. This gives Jesus an excellent opportunity to teach everyone about the family of God.  Jesus teaches the people about family 

20 Jesus entered a house. Again a crowd gathered. It was so large that Jesus and his disciples were not even able to eat. 21 His family heard about this. So they went to take charge of him. They said, “He is out of his mind.”

31 Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. They sent someone in to get him. 32 A crowd was sitting around Jesus. They told him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside. They are looking for you.” 33 “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” he asked. 34 Then Jesus looked at the people sitting in a circle around him. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! 35 Anyone who does what God wants is my brother or sister or mother.”

For further conversation with your kids: 1. When we say “family” we usually mean a mom, dad, and daughters and sons, all living in one house. But it is bigger than that, isn’t it? Because when sons and daughters grow up, they move out of the house and they are still family. Take some time to talk about your family. Do you come from a large family or a small family? How important are family members to you? 2. In The Story Mark Tells this week, Jesus asks a question that at first might be really confusing. Why is he asking who is mother and brothers are, when he knows who they are? In fact, they are standing outside the house waiting for him! He, of course, was expanding our idea of family. For Jesus, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters are now defined by allegiance to Jesus – those doing God’s will or “what God wants”. How does this challenge or change the way you understand “family”?

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