Daily Lesson for Tuesday 30th of July 2024

Religious leaders such as Jairus were not typically friends with Jesus (see Mark 1:22; Mark 3:2,6; and Luke 13:14). So it is likely that he is desperate. This desperation is exemplified by Jairus’s falling on his knees before Jesus. His plea is understandable to any parent—his daughter is dying. But he has faith that Jesus can help. Without a word, Jesus departs with the father to go to his home.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

The story suddenly cuts away to another scene that evokes pity—a woman experiencing 12 terrible years of sickness. This story of Jairus and the woman is the second sandwich story in Mark (see Mark 3:20-35, covered in lesson 3). In this story the contrasting characters, Jairus and the woman, come to Jesus for help.

The woman comes up behind Jesus and touches His clothing. Immediately, she is well. But Jesus stops and asks, “Who touched My clothes?”

The woman, who had been so sick, was suddenly well. Yet, she feared that Jesus was angry at what had happened. It was a wild ride for her emotions. But Jesus wanted to heal not only her body but also her soul.

Then, back to Jairus (see Mark 5:35-43). It was a wild ride of emotions for the synagogue ruler, as well. Jesus allowed no one else to go with Him and the parents except Peter, James, and John. Jesus states that the girl is not dead but asleep. He casts out all the mourners and goes into the room where the dead girl lay. Taking her hand, He says, “Talitha koum.” Mark translates these words, “Little girl, get up.” Actually, the word Talitha means “lamb” and thus would be a term of endearment for a child in the home. The command to keep things secret is part of the revelation/secrecy motif that runs through Mark and points toward who Jesus is and that, ultimately, He cannot remain hidden.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-05-on-the-roller-coaster-with-jesus/

Daily Lesson for Monday 29th of July 2024

If the night before on the lake was unforgettable, the arrival at the Gadarenes the next morning was just as impressive. The history of the demon-possessed man is laid out in heartbreaking detail. Breaking away from all constraint, he lived in the tombs and cut himself with stones. “No one had the strength to subdue him” (Mark 5:4, ESV)—and then he met Jesus.

Image © Phil McKay at Goodsalt.com

The man rushed at Jesus—no word about the disciples (they probably ran off). When the man came near to Jesus, he fell down before Him. The words “fell down” translate the Greek verb proskyneō, usually translated “to worship.” It seems the man recognized that Jesus was Someone who could help him. But when he opened his mouth, the demons inside him shouted at Jesus, who could hear the man’s whispered plea for help above the demons’ shouts. When they asked to be released into a herd of pigs, Jesus permitted them to enter the pigs. The entire herd, about two thousand, rushed down the embankment and drowned in the water. It was a financial disaster for the owners.

What’s amazing is that the demons knew exactly who Jesus was, and they also knew their impotence before Him, which was why they “begged Him” twice (Mark 5:10,12, NKJV) to do what they asked. Obviously, they knew His power over them.

This story has two overriding characteristics. First, it is filled with items of uncleanness or ceremonial defilement according to Old Testament law. Tombs and the dead were unclean (Numbers 19:11,16). Bleeding made one unclean (Leviticus 15:1-33). Pigs were unclean (Leviticus 11:7).

But, second, overarching this litany of defilement is the back-and-forth battle between good and evil forces. Jesus drives out the demons (two points for Jesus), the demons kill the pigs (two points for Satan). The townspeople ask Jesus to leave (two points for Satan), but Jesus sends back the healed man as His witness (three points for Jesus). In some ways this man was the unlikeliest missionary, but he definitely had an amazing story to tell.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-05-can-you-hear-a-whisper-above-a-shout/

It is wonderful to travel through John Mark’s life and see the beautiful story climax with 
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today – Hymn 166, therefore 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378. These two hymns give us a purpose all during this quarter to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus. May you enjoy these hymns for your theme hymn from which to choose.

Miracles this week, bring us directly to 
Hymn 111 – It Took A Miracle. Our memory text continues the wonders with “great things the Lord has done for you”, as does
Hymn 341 – To God Be The Glory.

With God calming the storms in this world, we have 
Wonderful Peace – Hymn 466 (Sunday).

On Monday the demons even know who Jesus is and “His power over them”. May we never hesitate to sing 
I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 511.

The beautiful healings (Tuesday) end up with the woman and others saying 
It Is Well With My Soul – Hymn 530.

Wednesday teaches us that the disciples were to be humble in their service and to depend on those around for support during their ministry: 
Lord, Whose Love In Humble Service – Hymn 363.

Our learning continues on Thursday, and we pray we are not “sheep without a shepherd” because 
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is – Hymn 197.

 The final text this week included in Ellen White’s writings (Friday) is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God”.  May we do this without hesitation in 
Hymn 461 – Be Still, My Soul.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed and to bless many others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-miracles-around-the-lake-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought: Jesus is the One who can calm a storm, cast out demons, heal a woman, feed with little resources, and walk on water. All this occurred around the Sea of Galilee.
August 3, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 4:35-41.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What happens here and what lessons can we take from it about who Jesus is?
3. Personal Application: Think about the power of God. How can we learn to lean on this power and to trust it in all things in your life? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I can’t see how any person could have control of the weather or nature. And I can’t understand why anyone would believe in demon possession. People act crazy because they have something wrong in their brains caused by childhood or traumatic experiences they can’t cope with. To say a person is demon-possessed and evil is cruel and ignorant.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Mark 5:21-34.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What characteristics stand out about Jesus here?
3. Personal Application: Why did Jesus heal by touch or in person by speaking to them, when here He heals her from afar with no outward manifestations? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why would the woman believe she could be healed by touching Jesus’ garment? Is this faith or presumption? What about these faith healers who claim to be able to heal others by touch or by their touching a cloth or item the minister has touched and prayed over?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Mark 6:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why did Jesus’ hometown people reject Him?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever been rejected or experienced some hard-to-understand crisis? What did you learn that could help you next time something like that happens? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why did Jesus allow John the Baptist to be thrown in prison and beheaded? What hope can we find despite the difficult things happening in our lives?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 6:34-52.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What was the problem they faced, and how was it solved?
3. Personal Application: How could a false understanding of Christ’s second coming lead to disaster for some Christians? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/5-miracles-around-the-lake-teaching-plan/

Daily Lesson for Sunday 28th of July 2024

At the beginning of Mark 4:1-41, Jesus steps into a boat to teach the crowd on the shore. In Mark 4:10-12, it seems He may have gotten out of the boat and talked with the disciples privately. Now, after a long day of teaching, the disciples take Jesus in the boat “as He was,” in other words, very tired.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

He immediately falls asleep on the boat’s cushion, which would be in the stern of the boat. A great storm arises on the lake, and the boat is at risk of sinking when the disciples awake Him. Dramatically, Jesus commands the wind and waves to cease. A great calm settles over the lake. Understandably, the disciples are deeply afraid at the display of divine power.

The story in Mark 4:35-41 fits within a common biblical pattern: that of a “theophany”—the appearance of God or one of His angels. Five characteristics are common to these events: (1) the display of divine power, (2) human fear, (3) the command “Do not fear,” (4) the words of revelation for which God or the angel appeared, and (5) human response to the revelation. Four of the five are present in this story—the calming of the storm is the display of divine power, the disciples’ fear is the human fear. The question, “Why are you so afraid?” is the “Do not fear.” The disciples’ question, “Who then is this?” is the human response. What is missing is the words of revelation. This missing detail plays into the revelation/secrecy motif that runs through the entire book, where the truth about Jesus will come out. Here the disciples’ question, “Who then is this that the wind and the sea obey Him?” pushes the reader to fill in the answer of the missing words of revelation—He is the Son of God, the Lord Himself.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24c-05-calming-a-storm/