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Theme: Hope and Encourage

Watch the story of the “Calming of the Storm” Mark 4:35-41. How could this story help persecuted Christians?. Theme: Hope and Encourage. Look up Mk 4:35-41 and write a of the story, adding in the dialogue

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Theme: Hope and Encourage

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  1. Watch the story of the “Calming of the Storm” Mark 4:35-41. How could this story help persecuted Christians? Theme: Hope and Encourage Look up Mk 4:35-41 and write a of the story, adding in the dialogue Storm/ wind/ waves/ Jesus asleep/ cushion/ disciples panic/ woke Jesus/ command..??/ calm/ Jesus’ rebuke to disciples..??/ disciples amazement..??. **What could this story symbolise? To describe the Calming of the Storm To identify how the Calming of the Storm gives hope for persecuted Christians To reflect on the nature of Mark’s gospel • Be Still! • Why are your frightened? Have you still no faith? • Who can this be, even the wind and the waves obey him.

  2. What could the wind and the waves symbolise? • What could the “boat” symbolise? • What does Jesus’ power over the storm symbolise? You are a Christian in Rome, about AD 70, hearing this story. Romans are arresting Christians and demanding they prove their loyalty to Caesar. Many Christians are worried about being arrested and tortured, or killed. How would this story help them? • Explain how this story would reassure persecuted Christians, by explaining the symbolism. • Write out the 3 kinds of opinions different Christians may have about this story. • Explain which you agree with and why . • **What would this story mean to a fundamentalist or conservative? To a liberal? Totally exaggerated, maybe never even happened = LIBERAL Jesus’ calming of storm = power and control over sin and evil Boat – safety & support of the Church Possibly some details changed, but main facts true = CONSERVATIVE Happened exactly as the Gospel says = FUNDAMENTALIST Jesus sleeping – He is with them, but not active Storm = dangers of Roman persecution

  3. Relevance of Calming of the Storm to 21st Century Christians Christian churches being burned down in some parts of the Middle East and Africa – because Muslims want the area to be completely Muslim. Christians being arrested in China if caught taking part in their own Christian worship In Saudi Arabia, it is forbidden to run Christian worship, or to show any symbols of Christianity eg crosses or bibles. Nurses in the NHS in England being sacked if they refuse to perform abortions or speak out against abortion. Give 2 examples of Christians being persecuted today. Explain how the story of the Calming of the Storm would reassure them.

  4. Complete your HW notes on the 5 themes. Explain why the Way of the Cross is important for Christians to know about. *Give an example of a situation where a Christian is “walking the way of the cross” • Hope and encouragement • Mark gives hope and comfort to persecuted Christians at the time of Nero that their suffering is not in vain because they follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and he is the Lord who has power over all. • Example Calming of the Storm. Way of the Cross • Jesus “walked in the way of the cross” when he accepted rejection, suffering and death. He saved us by doing this. • Walking in the way of the cross, means accepting the task God gives you in life, with all its difficulties and suffering, just like Jesus did. This brings you salvation. • The way of the cross shows that God’s power works through suffering to defeat evil It does NOT mean that God wants you to suffer evil • Discipleship • Following Jesus means learning a different set of attitudes, and following his way of the cross. • Examples of discipleship: • Serve others • Trust God • Walk the way of the cross • Not for material reward • Salvation for all • Non-Jews can be welcomed into God’s kingdom • Example: Mark explains Jewish customs in his gospel, for non-Jews. He also shows non-Jews recognising Jesus is the Son of God (Roman centurion “truly this man was a Son of God”) while the Jewish leaders do not.

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