Post-sabbatical, the Gospel of Mark has captured my heart and shaped my desires for both my personal life and the life of the church. Beginning December 29, following Jesus through Mark’s Gospel account will teach us about living out 1st century discipleship in a 21st century world. In the midst of an increasingly complex world, the Gospel is still God’s answer for the new birth and a new life.

Within the first two chapters of his account, Mark records the calling of five people to follow Jesus. The best way to answer what that meant for them (and for us) is to see where Jesus took them and what Jesus taught them. But we must do more than see it, we too must determine to actually follow Jesus today in the same way they did then. And in the middle of the account, Jesus makes it clear that followers in any generation must be willing to deny self and take up the cross if they are to genuinely follow Him. (8:34-38)

But before we launch out on this journey together with the church, the pastors are themselves being challenged regarding their own willingness to genuinely follow Jesus. The Biblical changes that need to occur in the church must first be embraced in the hearts of her pastors. If they are not walking in the steps of Jesus, how shall they lead others to walk in His steps.

So this week we began a pastoral Bible study for the examination of our own hearts and lives with a prayerful desire that God will reveal in us our own sins and bring us to repentance and a clear focus on following Jesus.

And what does that look like? Following are the Scriptures, questions and notes we used to guide us through a time of prayerful Bible meditation together. I would encourage you to consider each passage yourself along with the questions asked. And I ask you to pray for your pastors. Pray that we will recognize and repent of our sins. Pray that we will be found walking in Jesus’ footsteps.

Mark 10:35–45 (ESV)
35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, 40 but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. 42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

•What were the sons of Zebedee really asking for from Jesus?

•What do we really want from Jesus?

•What does the response of the ten to the two reveal about the danger inherent in ministry partnerships today?

•How does Jesus’ teaching and example of service and sacrifice impact our ministry today?

1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV)
5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

•What is the context of Peter’s exhortation to the elders?

•How does the imagery of shepherding shape the form of ministry?

•How is the shepherd’s oversight of the flock exercised? (oversight = to look upon, inspect, guard, watch over; how a true shepherd provides for and protects his sheep) Willingly; Eagerly (a forward heart); As Examples (not domineering, like the Gentiles – Peter remembered what Jesus said; examples = types)

•How should the promise of the appearance of the Chief Shepherd affect our shepherding today?

Luke 17:7–10 (ESV)
7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”

•Whose expectations are we bound to fulfill?

•What is expected of us?

•What do we expect in return and what does that reveal about us?