Swat Bible Study

This week, Jesus again instructs the disciples on His death and resurrection, but again, they just don’t get it…they don’t understand. He is has to deal with their worldly ambition, self-exalting exclusivity, and some worldly influences that threaten to destroy His new leadership. He reminds them with a strong graphic message that they are to be humble servants, a “salting” influence for good in the world, and even when they stumble, God will use suffering and discipline to purify them. Is there really a difference between them and the disciples of the Pharisees? Is there a difference between us and the world around us? God’s people are to be known as humble servants of the Most High! John 13:12-17 The night before he was crucified, the one picture He wanted to leave with His disciples is one of service and humility. If we really want to be His Kingdom disciples, we WILL serve others with a humble heart.

This week, Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down off the mountain into chaos. The scribes are mocking the disciples who stayed behind because they could not cast out a demon in a demon possessed young man. The young man’s father brought his son to Jesus to be healed and the disciples could not cast out the demon. You can imagine the frustration, fear, and confusion taking places….especially with the scribes looking for a reason to discredit Jesus and His disciples. However, God was not surprised by any of it! His plan was unfolding and Jesus was about to educate the disciples that 1) you cannot live on your past accomplishments and 2) you must ALWAYS depend on Yahweh to fight your battles!!!

This week, Jesus fulfilled that Word and was transfigured before the three leaders, Peter, James, and John. He gave them a preview of His Glory that they would never forget! It was a gift to them to bolster them and anchor them through the storms they would encounter as the leaders Jesus that Jesus would entrust with His Euangellion!! He allowed them to see Him, Moses, and Elijah in their glorified state to get them through what was about to come. Every time God appears, it is to strengthen the faith of His servants.

This week, David Gray fills in for Doug and looks at Jesus' contrast of the great exchange of our kingdom for His Kingdom! He goes deeper with the disciples as he invites them to “Follow Me!” He also explains the TRUTH about the TRUE Messiah and shares with them the devastating consequences for those who choose “the world” or themselves over HIM!

This week, Jesus goes deeper with the disciples as he invites them to “Follow Me” and explains the TRUTH about Messiah and what it means to follow Him! Throughout my lifetime, I have heard many invitations given at churches and evangelistic events that fail to meet Jesus’ standard of an invitation to follow Him! Many people relate this invitation to a deeper level discipleship, but make no mistake, to trust in Jesus and His Euangellion means a life that is surrendered to His Lordship, that is ultimately loyal to HIM (daily, even to death), and follows Him wherever he goes!!! It is a high calling, a blessed calling, and a costly calling!!

This week, we see Jesus take His disciples to Caeserea Philippi where Peter makes his declaration that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah)! This is the first time in our journey through Mark, that his disciples referred to Him as the Messiah and from this point on, Jesus instructs them on his suffering, death, and resurrection. This passage really deals with the most important question any of us can answer, Who do we say Jesus is? Also, this is the first time we see the word church (ekklesia). The door is shut on Israel as the messengers of the Euangellion. This is a pivotal point in Jesus ministry.

This week, we see Jesus return with the Disciples back to the area near Capernaum and encounter the Religious leaders again. They are still upset over their last interaction and demand a “sign from Heaven” from Him. It is a great teaching opportunity for Jesus with the Disciples to help them understand the difference between being “Blind”-permanent and being “Blinded”-temporary. Also, to help them understand that spiritual growth takes time!

This week, we see Jesus finish His training trip into the Gentile world with the last recorded miracle of this particular journey. Remember, the theme of this training trip that began in Tyre- the grace and mercy of God’s Euangellion is for all the nations of the world. It’s not just for the Jews, but for the Gentiles also. This theme would have been very difficult for the disciples to swallow because they were raised to detest the idol worshipping Gentiles!! But, Jesus is showing them that He is the King/Savior/Messiah for all the nations of the world!

Jesus continues to train His disciples teaching them that God's plan includes the Gentiles (Syrophoenecian woman-Tyre/deaf/mute-Decapolis). I hope you'll join us for this important study.

This week, we dive into Mark 7 and see Jesus school the religious leaders on what true love of God looks like and Biblical Spirituality!! It comes from the heart!! I hope you are encouraged by this look at what it means to really love God and His son, Jesus!

This week, we finish up Mark 6 by looking at how Jesus continues to stretch and grow His disciples through different trials. We all can identify with the disciple here. Why is this happening? Is God aware? Does God care? Will He help me? We’ve all been in situations beyond our ability and we NEED HELP! We need Him! He walked on water to show His disciples that He is Lord over all, including gravity.

This week, we see Jesus perform His biggest miracle yet. He feeds 5,000 men and their families with a few crackers and some sardines. It's not what you have, but what you do with what you have-Give it to Jesus.

This week, God reveals the marks of an ungodly and wicked man, Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. He is the complete anti-thesis of the man he murdered, John the Baptist. In this text, we see when evil rules, it's deadly for the family and the culture.

In today's study. Jesus sends out the twelve on the very first short-term mission trip. He delegates His authority and power to heal, cast out demons, and the mandate to PROCLAIM the EUANGELLION! I hope you will join us for this important study!

In today's study, Jesus goes back to Nazareth with His disciples to show them how to respond to rejection and what unbelief will look like. He goes back to his hometown and compassionately shares the Gospel with people who heard the Truth, saw the Truth, and rejected the Truth!

In today's study, Jesus goes back to Capernaum and rescues two people who are both in a bad way. A man desperate to save his dying daughter and a woman who is suffering from a terrible disease that has ruined her life! They both need something that only Messiah could help them with, but would He? Join us and find out!

In this study, we see Jesus intentionally take the disciples to encounter a man possessed by many demons. He shows them His authority over the demons and how he can rescue a tormented soul that has been used by the enemy to hurt people and redeem him to be a great servant of the Most High, Yahweh!!

In this study, we see Jesus take the training of the twelve up a notch as he deals with their self-reliance with a storm at sea! He shows how God's providence sometimes looks different than we might think!

In this study, we see Jesus share a parable with His followers to help them put into practice the Truths He is teaching them. He tells them that if they do not understand this parable, they will not understand any of His parables.

In today's study, Doug repents of affirming The Chosen TV series and explains the dangers associated with the program. Also, shares from 2 Timothy 2:14-19 on discernment. Paul calls Timothy to be discerning and shut down error, stop "empty chatter,: and even names names. We have to be faithful to the sufficiency of Scripture!