Mark 10:13-16 (NLT)

¹³ One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

¹⁴ When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. ¹⁵ I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

1. How do we hinder children from coming to Jesus?

   …but the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him (v.13)

2. Why would the Kingdom of God belong to the child-like?

   …For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children (v.14)

3. How must we enter into the Kingdom of God?

   …anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it (v.15)

In this story children are not blessed for their virtues but for what they lack: they come only as they are—small, powerless, without sophistication, as the overlooked and dispossessed of society. To receive the kingdom of God as a child is to receive it as one who has no credits, no clout, no claims. A little childhas absolutely nothing to bring, and whatever a child receives, he or she receives by grace on the basis of sheer neediness rather than by any merit inherent in him- or herself. Little children are paradigmatic disciples, for only empty hands can be filled. -James R. Edwards

REFLECT TOGETHER ON SUNDAY’S MESSAGE

• Gather together with prayer and time of conversation, sharing, or even an ice-breaker.
• Review the main points from the sermon outline.
• Share with one another, using these prompts only as suggestions: 
• Did you see or hear this passage (Mark 10:13-16) in a new way on Sunday? If so, how?
• What’s your biggest take-away from the message? 

CONNECT WITH GOD (Try the below practice or choose a practice from a previous week.)

Breath Prayer with Movement Breath Prayer is an ancient practice that invites us to slow down and awaken ourselves—even our breath—to the presence of God. It is an invitation to remember that God is closer to us than even our own breath! 

• This week we are adding a movement along with our breath prayer. Praying with movement may be new for you - allow it to help you pray with your whole being: mind, heart and strength (body).
• This week you are invited to pray the phrase: “Help me listen, help me trust.” As you focus on breathing in and out, allow the words to flow from inward breath to outward breath, incorporating the movement as described below.
• Inhale: “Help me listen.” Movement: touch your ears as you inhale.
• Exhale: “Help me trust.” Movement: extend your arms palms up in a gesture of open receiving as you exhale.
• Continue on for a few minutes at a slowed pace, making space for a growing awareness of God’s Holy Spirit. 

Practice of Gratitude: Select and Play a song from our “Come With Me” playlist.

As the song plays:

• Listen. Breathe. Attend to the presence of God in your life at this moment.
• You may journal, draw, doodle, or simply close your eyes and breathe deeply. Let gratitude define the next few minutes.

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE (As a reminder: this is the Bible passage for Sunday, May 5.)

• Read together: Mark 10:17-31 and use the “Come with Me” card, along with your Mark Bible Journal to engage with the Scripture passage for the coming week. 
• Observe. 
• Meditate: Slow down. Journal. 
• Pray: What prayer of praise, gratitude, or confession arises from your heart and mind as you meditate on this passage? 
• Reflect together (in pairs): Spend time sharing your reactions and reflections of Mark 10:17-31 using this prompt as a guide.
• What draws your attention in the passage?
• What do you want to know more about?

DIG DEEPER  (Select 1-2 questions or customize the questions for your group.) 

• How does the previous passage in Mark 10:13-16 shape how you interpret Mark 10:17-31?
• What does Jesus ask the rich man to do? Why?
• Why did the rich man “go away sad?”
• How do you understand verses 23-25?
• Why does Jesus mention persecution among the rewards for following him (v.29-31)?
• What does this challenging passage reveal to us about Jesus and his kingdom?

NEXT STEPS 

• Follow along with the “Weekly Readings” guide in the front pages of your Mark journal over the coming weeks.

PRAYER 

This spring session, we will spend time praying for our co-pastor nominating committee and our whole church in the midst of big transitions.

For the CPNC: Pray for discernment, mutual forbearance, and wisdom. Pray that the whole process be further evidence of God’s movement among us. Pray that Jesus is at the center of each conversation, each question asked and all decisions made throughout the process.

For SBPC: Pray for the Holy Spirit to infuse hope, energy, and love throughout this transitional journey. Pray for us to move as one people, becoming witnesses of God’s love in times of both clarity and uncertainty. Pray that we witness to the risen Christ as His body in the world.