Mark 4:24-25 What You Already Have.

Take time as a group to not only discuss the message, but to try and uncover ways that Christ's words are speaking to us about life and what we already have. Because God's words are. 

When a lack of contentment with what is is identified, we're well beyond half way to a life full of peace and meaning. Until this blindness is identified though, we're numbered among miserable millions waiting for God to make our lives like someone else's. Waiting for God to do more, to fix, to add- so we can live the abundant that God had the audacity to imply was possible regardless of whether things conformed to our preferences or not.

Thaw

• What is this group's plan for Easter week? Will it be like any other week, or will the time take on a different feel?
• Will the group be meeting over spring break?

• What had most stuck with you from sunday morning?
• How much time would you say you spend thinking about other people's lives as a metric for the quality of your own?
• For how long have you done this?
• Why do you think you do this? Though it would be perfectly acceptable to do so, try and answer this question without referencing the culture's way of encouraging envy and discontent. Or, in other words if you life, refer to yourself as the culture as you speak.

Read

• Proverbs 14:30
• Thoughts?
• Assuming bone rot is a metaphor- What specifically happens to someone who lives in envy?

Read

• Mark 4:24-25
• Thoughts?
• This is a confusing passage. Spend some time talking about it through the lens of:

Physical ability.

Talent.

Knowledge and mental sharpness.

Time.

Money.

Joy.

Etc...

Leader note: This is an exercise in understanding Christ. He is not necessarily painting a scene where God "comes to collect". Instead, think of his words as observations about how life is. When you don't use your mind, even what you have diminishes. But if you remain engaged, you're ability to learn grows. If you don't give time, you will feel like you don't have it. But if you offer what you do have in the most healthy and Kingdom ways possible, you find that life is constantly replenished. Etc.

Read

• Exodus 20:1-17
• What do you notice about the last one compared to the first nine?

Leader note: With the first nine commands, others can tell whether you are obeying them or not. There are outward manifestations to observe. But number ten is internal. This has led some throughout time to say that as well as being part of the ten, it's also an outcome or result of the first nine. The affect of honoring God, family, life's rhythm, never taking life or property, etc, is "You will not covet." You will be free. 

• Discuss this resultant freedom in light of each of the commands. (i.e. Honoring mother and father, rather than wishing for different family circumstances, provides freedom from the anxious anger that comes with feeling like your childhood was some sort of rip off.)

Discuss

• Watch this video and see how it can parallel your own life and, envy and unique orientation to Christ's words about "what you already have."

EMBRACE THE SHAKE!