CreatingCommunity is an email devotion to guide your preparation for worship next weekend. Imagine how much more clear and relevant God's Word will be if you have had an opportunity read, reflect, and dwell in the Word prior to worship. You may do this devotion alone, with others, as a family, or over Zoom as a small group.

This devotion is to be done in preparation for this coming weekend's worship.

Please follow these three steps:

1. Read through the text
2. Respond to the questions (select one of the sets of questions)
3. Offer a Prayer
Mark1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
No Experience Necessary Questions:
  1. What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this text?
  2. What delights me in this text?
  3. What stories or memories does this text stir in me?
  4. What is God up to in this text?
Family Questions (for the entire family):
  1. What do you know about the relationship between John the Baptizer and Jesus? They had both a family and a theological/biblical relationship.
  2. What do you think it means to "repent, and believe in the good news.” Have you done that?
  3. What do you notice about how Simon, and his brother, Andrew, and Zebedee, and his brother John, responded to Jesus' call? How realistic do you think their response is?
Advance Questions:
  1. What is the first thing you notice about the call of Simon and Andrew, John and James? What do you make of it?
  2. When did you first hear, or feel, or sense a call to follow Jesus? Was the call short and sweet or long and confusing? What did you leave behind to follow?
  3. How do you understand the expression, "I will make you fish for people?" Might have Jesus said something else if these four were carpenters or farmers? Why do you say that? Is that the only reasoning possible?
Click here to listen and SING ALONG with this week's CreatingCommunity song
"STRANMILLS-CALLED BY CHRIST TO BE DISCIPLES"
Say a Prayer of your own or offer this one.
God, I pray that you will continue to bless me, to bless my life as your disciple. Fill me with hope even as you guide my footsteps and lead me to the way everlasting life. I ask this with faith in you as I seek salvation and a place with you in heaven; according to your ways, your everlasting wisdom, and strength. Amen.
Pastor Lutz would love to hear your responses, questions, thoughts about your experience with CreatingCommunity. You can reach him at poppastorpaul@sbcglobal.net