Initiate

A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.

Interact

After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others. 

Pose the following:

When someone is preparing you for the information you are waiting for and asks, "Do you want the good news or the bad news first, which do you prefer? Why?

When you hear good and bad news in the same message, which order would you prefer to hear them?

“I want to hear the good news first, then the bad news."
Or
“I want to hear the bad news first, then the good news."

What are the upsides and downsides of the two above preferences?

Note: Psychologists and researchers have explored the science of the impact of hearing the news on one's attitude and willingness to respond to the news. They are split on whether good news should be first or last.

Today, we start with the gospel of Mark who begins the story of Jesus as announcement of good news.

Insight

The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.

Then participants are to ask:

1. What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
2. What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
3. Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
4. What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?

Today’s Scripture passage: Mark 1:1-3

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— 3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Discussion Prompts

Clearly, the news of the Messiah is “good news.” Why is this good news? What are some key expectations of the awaited Messiah’s impact on people? What will change when the Messiah arrives?

This introduction includes two Old Testament prophecies (Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 4:3) that announce Jesus is the Messiah.

The words “good news” are a public announcement for which Jews had waited for centuries. How do you think they responded to those words (written or announced)? Were they cynical? suspicious? overwhelmed? curious?

Jesus arrived, walked, lived, died, rose from the dead, and now, 2000 years later, we have this message of good news. What now?

• How is this good news today?
• How do we relate to Jesus?
• How do we live in a relationship with the Messiah?

Insight Out

A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.