What Sort of People in Our Contemporary Society Might Be in Constant Public Demand?

Housegroup study on Mark 6 v 30 – 34, 53 – 56

Icebreaker (to warm up)

What sort of people in our contemporary society might be in constant public demand?

Looking at the text (for exploration and understanding)

 Look back to verses 7 – 13 for what precedes these verses. The story of the beheading of John the Baptist is told as an interlude in the narrative.  v 30 It is interesting that the word ‘apostles’ is used here. The only other place Mark uses it is in chapter 3 v 14. The word means ‘one who is sent’ – discuss why Mark should use it here and whether he should have used it more consistently.  Think about what the Twelve might have done, and said, on their ministry tour.  v 31 Comment on what strikes you in this verse.  You may like to compare the account here with that given by John (6 v 1) and Luke (9 v 10). Mark’s ‘solitary place’ is ‘the other side of the lake’ in John, and Bethsaida in Luke. If you have a map, then you will see that going across the top of the lake from the Capernaum area to the Bethsaida area would allow people to go ahead of them on the shore, particularly if there was a headwind or no wind at all. William Barclay says that this journey would be 4 miles on the sea and 10 miles by land.  v 34 Is it surprising the way Jesus reacted? What do you think the disciples felt? We jump over the story of the feeding of the 5000/Jesus walking on the water and land at v 53.  v 53 Again, a good Bible map will show the town of Gennesaret on the lefthand side of the lake. So, Jesus has been from north-west to north-east and back again, a little lower down.  v 54 – 56 See if you can summarise these verses in a couple of sentences.  What does the last sentence in the biblical text bring to mind?

Applying it to ourselves (for discussion)

1. Jesus prioritised rest for himself and his disciples but, here, it was thwarted by people thinking only of themselves. Think about:

a. How can you make sure you get necessary rest and a break from other people?

b. How can you help those around you to get the rest and refreshment they need?

c. How can you help those in public life find occasional protection from the demands of other people? (At a local level, think about ministers; at a national level, think about politicians and celebrities).

2. Are there contemporary situations like that described in v 31, ‘so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat’? Have you ever been in a situation like this, and what would have helped?

Action (for thinking about)

Take time, individually, to think of one action or thought or change in attitude that you are going to leave the group with. Then move into prayer. © Jacqui A. Horton 2012