Thursday, July 22, 2021

WeakEnd Assignment – Basics of Mark


 Click the image or the link or

Copy and paste the link into your browser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oygxFGcrMY

or search YouTube for: Mark Bible Study

Introduction and Background of Mark (1 of 9)

Mike Mazzalongo | BibleTalk.tv

 

“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of earthborn man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You have crowned him with glory and honour. 

 

“You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas.  O Lord, our Lord, how majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth.” Psalm 8:4-9 The Amplified Bible

 

Scripture is always sufficient in itself.  Often it is also beneficial to know a bit about the books of the Bible you are reading, such as who wrote it, the location, the peoples/ characters or lands being featured, the year the book was written, the time in history in relation to other Bible events, the culture, what is being stressed by the writer, a bit about the writer, etc.  All these can help as you read.   

 

This WeakEnd Assignment is designed to provide you with foundational information about Mark (and a bit more about the history of the Bible). 

 

·      Set aside an hour and find a place where you will not be interrupted. 

·      Have your Bible, notebook, writing implement, a refreshment and a way to watch the above video above with you. 

·      Before you begin the video, pray the Lord will help you as you watch so you find helpful information to support you and give you more insight to the book of Mark. 

 

Then watch the above 33-minute video.  Take notes along the way of information you find valuable to your study of Mark.  This foundational information will be beneficial as we continue to work through the rest of Mark.

 

Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still prays for you each day)

 

PS:  Find my statement of faith:  https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for ‘WeakDay Devotion’.  (Also, there is an android ‘Google Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone.  Not sure about Apple.)

 

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS

·      Barb – my brother’s faithful and kind wife.  Thank you for praying for her.  She needs prayers to sustain her and protect her health and energy during this time of additional stress and challenge.

·      UPDATE - Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend who continues to have tests to diagnose her disease, although some serious conclusions have been suggested.  She remains frail and unwell.  Please pray for her, her parents and health carers to find ways to manage the symptoms.

·      UPDATE - Floods in Germany, Belgium and NetherlandsThe unprecedented event has devastated huge areas.  The dead discovered number more than 180.  Pray for those affected and have lost everything.  Pray for the rescue workers and those who will support the families of the victims and the survivors. 

·      Ray Sr. – now in respite care.  Pray the Lord opens His heart to the Truth of salvation and through this time, relationships with family are strengthened and Ray Jr and Kathy may know of his decision.

·      Grant’s brother - still has quite severe headaches.  Had a shunt put in his skull to drain fluid from around the brain, as the fluid was putting pressure on the brain and affecting balance. Pray for his health carers as they work to adjust the flow rate and help minimise the pressure.

·      Andrew and Toyoko M – Please continue to pray for travelling mercies as they travel to and from Japan.  Pray their time there is filled with surprising blessings and that everything goes smoothly for them.

·      Kim – lost her Mom earlier this year and recently lost her Dad.  She needs prayers while she deals with the loss of her sweet parents.

·      Rozzy and Jono – have left Sydney for Vancouver Island Canada to work with youth in the mid-north coast (the neediest Gospel location in North America).  Pray for warm and supportive new friends, travelling mercies, robust health and that God will grant them a child. 

·      Tim – my brother – for his strength and wisdom and that he rests safely and soundly in the arms of the Lord while he deals with growing health difficulties and stresses.  Thanksgiving and praise that the Lord has provided a new health carer who seems competent and skilled.

·      David – as his health waxes and wanes during this challenging time.  Pray for Heidi who cares for him and his little companion dog, Sparky.  Pray God watches over him and steadies his steps, clears his sight and strengthens his heart.

·      Cathy – as she faces stage-4 pancreatic cancer.  Her chemo has begun.  She is Barb (my sister-in-law’s) sister-in-law.  Thank the Lord He has provided Cathy with a supportive family.  Please pray for them and their health carers as they travel through this journey.

·      Pat and Isobel – as they serve tirelessly in challenging times.  Pray the Lord refreshes and strengthens them.

·      Hans – a dear friend in Germany, continues his immunotherapy for lung cancer.  Pray for his ongoing strength through the pain, patience and God’s mercy.  Continue to pray for his healthcare providers and that he is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support him through this journey.  Pray for his Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with extraordinary good memories and lots of love.

·      Callilah - a lost child.  Pray the Lord will capture her heart.

 

Pray for those in full-time service

Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil.  Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.

 

·      Peter Frith – The sole Christian chaplain at an Anglicare special hospital.  The work is lonely and challenging and the lockdown from Covid has deemed chaplaincy a non-essential service, so this has meant, Peter is relying on the Lord for creative ways he can encourage others while he waits for things to return to ‘normal’.  Continue to pray for his encouragement, hope and that our loving heavenly Father sends another Christian to work alongside Peter.

·      St Marks Anglican Church – Pray God opens the hearts and minds of those who visit and for those who worship there regularly and during this time on-line, that their hunger for God’s Word grows.  Pray for strength, wisdom and healing rest for those who serve there, including Simon, Pat, Kathy, Anne, Barry, Jo and their families.

·      Elaine and Jim Pounder and their Little Church ministry have had a difficult 2020 and something new is beginning.  They need your prayers for healing strength and time with family as their ministry continues to spread around the world in a model of home churches. They have begun a YouTube channel and I urge you to subscribe and watch their sound teaching episodes in these warm videos (https://www.youtube.com/user/thelittlechurchworld ).  And website: The Little Church World.

·      Isaias and Judith (Ambassadors for Christ the Philippines) – the entire Catorce family represent this conservative, Bible-based ministry in a remarkably difficult mission field.  They have maintained a teaching seminary and discipling ministry there for dozens of years.  Both are dealing with serious health issues and need your fervent prayers.  Judith is still recovering from complicated back surgery.  You can visit their new website:  https://afcph.org/  to learn more.  Pray our Father keep these servants strong and restores their health.  Please consider sending a note of encouragement to Isaias Catorce, who teaches and leads the groups at icatorce@gmail.com

·      Jenny S – Bible teacher at a local Bible school for curiosity under change, as the vision of her organisation changes with new leadership.  Help her identify the balance of her unique contribution with the new focus.  Pray the Lord maintains her health as she walks through this time of stress.

·      Audley M – Pray his health and wisdom and for the effectiveness and growth of his radio ministry (Florida, Virginia, Alabama, Indianapolis) as America hunger for ‘true meat’!

·      Kevin and Sandy Currel - (in Melbourne) Kevin has a wonderful ministry of teaching through images and words.  He has created many excellent and accurate Christian resources.  (To learn more:  https://www.kevincurrell.com/ ).  Please continue to pray for them, especially that God will supply the funds needed for this extraordinary time.

·      Lachlan – Pray for him as he cares for his three children while he completes his studies to become a Wycliff Bible Translator.

·      Scripture classes in Australian Schools – Although a secular country, God has continued to provide the freedom to hold Scripture classes in schools during regular class hours!  Some resistance is growing.  It is a great hope for Australia.

·      Bible schools and seminaries – in Australia and around the world that they remain true to the Truth of God’s Word in the Bible.

·      Doug McIntosh - An invaluable contributor to my love of Bible study.  He was diagnosed several years ago with multiple myelomas and has retired now from full-time ministry.  Please pray for him, his family and the church he has worked so faithfully in (the old link where archive teachings are available:  Cornerstone Bible Church in Lilburn Georgia. Today they have a new website and Doug still teaches:  Cornerstone Bible Church.)

·      Buddy and Susan – Pray for their health and their needs as they labour in far north Queensland.  They were one of the first families to welcome me to Australia.  Amazing Christian teachers!

·      Jo and Steve – for their loving example of the Christian life.  May their love flourish under His guidance as they continue their work in New Zealand.

·      Stu, Jo, Laura and Jason – pray for this devoted and loving family who continue to serve Jesus Christ in New Zealand.  Pray for Laura’s husband Joji and for Jason who is studying in the USA.  Keep them strong, healthy and resolute for the Lord.

·      Catholic Church and Pope – pray the Pope will grow increasingly hungry and focused on the Word of God and that he always puts Jesus first in his life and decisions.

 

Pray for those with ongoing health concerns

Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health.  Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.

Pray for the World

No comments: