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Gateway Church

Unstoppable Gospel

January 12, 2025
Download Digging Deeper

 JANUARY 12

UNSTOPPABLE GOSPEL

The Gospel of Mark shows us that the good news of Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises. This powerful message, confirmed by Jesus’ baptism and God’s approval, invites us into a life-changing journey. By embracing it, we become part of God’s grand story of redemption that unfolds throughout history and in our own lives.

Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. As we kick off this Unstoppable series, what is an area of your personal or professional life that you want to be unstoppable in? Why? (Example – in trying to stay healthy and strong, I really want to fuel and take care of my body as I age so that nothing stops me from being as healthy as I can be.)
  2. On the flip-side, where in your personal or professional life have you felt the real push back and it has made you stoppable? (Example – even though I eat right and work out, I still have a bum shoulder or knee that keeps me in the reality that I can’t do all that I want to do physically)
  3. Read Mark 1:1-20

Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):

  • What do you notice and what are you curious about? 
  • What about John the Baptist grabs your attention?

Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)

  • What do you learn about God and how he views those who might be considered outsiders? 
  • What do you learn about humanity? 

Now make some applications (what’s my response?)

  • How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
  • What should be our response to this passage?
  • If John and Jesus preached a message of repentance, and it is still a valid message today, then is there any area of your life where you need to turn from your old ways and embrace the new life Jesus offers?  

KEY SCRIPTURE

Mark 1:1-22  The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”  At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness,and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

PRAYER

Lord, it is a wonder and mystery how you see all of humanity. We assume that you see us as individuals and only as individuals, but the truth is that you see us tied to previous generations, and that our actions impact generations to come. Thank you for being so mindful of us, for having the foresight to put things into motion long before our time. We want to be not only hearers of your good news, but also doers, followers of you.  Take our open hearts and minds, and shape them more and more into your image, so that our lives and actions can impact the times to come. Would the way we live our life in your truth compel others to do the same.

PRACTICE

We hear and read that the disciples had encounters with Jesus before they were called to drop it all and follow him, so that he could teach them to be fishers of men.  After all of the time(s) you’ve had knowing and learning about Jesus, is there something you are sensing a call towards?  Is this something you could be praying about during our 21 days of prayer?

Take one more step in the direction of following Jesus by spending time with him alongside many in our church. How could you participate in Pray First (21 days of prayer) in a more significant way? Maybe it’s time to sign up to participate in 24/7 prayer at gatewaychurch.com/prayer, or at the very least fill out a prayer card and participate by making your petition known.