Making beyond

SUNDAY From the ROW…..to the CHAIR…..to the TABLETOP…..into our COMMUNITY

WEEK NINE (AUGUST 2-6) TABLE TOP TIME Ponder the questions. (1) Gather around the table with some folks once a week. No one has to be the leader. Just spend time together leading each other through the process. We are all leading and learning. (2) Use all or some of the questions to consider and discuss together. The point is not to feel like you have to be a Bible scholar. You are learning about the character and life of . Let that be your guide. Refer to the sermon and notes you took. Share some insight from your chair time. (3) Maybe our questions work for you, or maybe you have something else based on the reading that you want to ask or share. (4) Be intentional about allowing your discussion to lead each of you to life application in becoming a who is understanding the story of Jesus better. (5) Have your journal and Bible with you to take notes on what you learn from each other. (6) If questions come up, don’t hesitate to give us a call, we’d love to help guide you to some answers.

The transfiguration. (Read verses 1-13) • Who accompanies Jesus up the mountain? On what other occasions does Jesus choose only these three disciples to accompany him? (See Mark 5:35 and 14:32) • What is Jesus doing when he is transfigured? (See :29) What are the disciples probably doing when Jesus is transfigured? (See Luke 9:32) What might this reveal about the disciples’ attitude toward prayer? • Who appeared with Jesus? What is the significance of that? • What attitude lies behind Peter’s suggestion in verse 5? (Review :31—9:1.) • What do the disciples hear God say in verse 7? Why do you think He chose these words? Why did God add the final instruction to the disciples? (Hint: What does Peter’s suggestion in verse 5 reveal about following God’s added instruction?) • Think about yourself—what do your actions and attitudes reveal about how well you listen to Jesus? • After this revelation of Christ’s glory, to what does the conversation turn during the walk back down the mountain? • What detail does Matthew include in his account (Mt. 17:13) that sheds light on the discussion about the prophecy concerning Elijah? What do you think Jesus wants his disciples to take away from this experience? Jesus heals a boy possessed by an impure spirit. (Read verses 14-29) • Describe the scene that Mark depicts in verse 14. What’s the answer to Jesus’ question in verse 16? • From Jesus’ words to the disciples in verses 19 and 29, what might have been the cause of their inability to cast out the evil spirit? • Look at :19–20 for the rest of the conversation about the boy’s healing that leaves off at :29. What do we learn about faith here? Jesus predicts his death and teaches what a disciple looks like. (Read verses 30-50) • Read verses 30-41. After reading these verses, go back through and reread every statement of Jesus; and then write out what Jesus says a disciple of his should look like. • Now read verses 42-50. List the “it would better” and “it is better” phrases in these verses. Let the horror of these phrases wash over you, and then express in your own words the seriousness of allowing sin to fester untreated, in your life. • This section begins with believers arguing among themselves and now culminates with the encouragement to “be at peace with each other” (vs. 50). Why do you think this is how Jesus chooses to end this teaching on the cost of discipleship? (Galatians 5:13b–15)