FOLLOW Follow a New Way of Life – Week 6 ‘Be with Jesus. Become like Him. Do as He did.’ – John Mark Comer Focus Mark—likely the earliest Gospel—is rapid-fire and action-filled. Scene after scene (public crowds, small groups, private encounters) centres on Jesus. Mark opens with the bold claim, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God” (1:1). As we move from Galilee, glimpse His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, and arrive at the cross in Jerusalem, we meet the Suffering Servant who gave His life and rose again to save many. Mark presses every reader: Who do you say Jesus is? Study by: Carol and Des Joyce Sermons can be viewed on the Hope Valley Church YouTube Channel 1. Look Back Sharing Our Journey | 10–20 minutes Praise, Thanks and Reflection (Share in the whole group or sub-groups; you may include a worship song.) What are you thankful for? Where have you seen God at work? Has your life this past fortnight been more like feasting or fasting? Explain. Share your own experiences of fasting—physical or spiritual. How has it impacted you and others? Has anything happened in the lives of those on your relational map who are far from God? (See the Relational Map video.) Song: New Wine – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Ukh3Llna0 Pray Capture the things shared above and any personal needs for prayer or support. 2. Look Up Opening God’s Word | 20–30 minutes Setting the Scene In Mark 2 Jesus explains why His disciples don’t fast while the disciples of John the Baptist and the Pharisees do. Using cloth patches and new wine, He shows that His ministry is new and disruptive: Fasting is out of place during a celebration. New teaching can’t merely patch the old framework. The good news is too powerful to fit inside rigid religious structures. Fasting has its place in times of mourning or repentance. In Mark 2 Jesus also shows authority over: The forgiveness of sins Social traditions Extra-biblical religious traditions The Sabbath “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it.” — John Wesley Read: Mark 2:18-22 and the parallel in Luke 5:33-39 Discussion Why did the Pharisees and John’s disciples fast? Why was it a problem that Jesus’ disciples did not? How is Jesus’ teaching like unshrunk cloth and new wine? What do the old cloth and old wineskins represent? What are new wine and old wineskins in your life? How might fasting help you gain both fresh wine and new wineskins? 3. Look Forward Living Out God’s Word | 10–20 minutes True fasting aims at spiritual growth. What is difficult about fasting for you? Fasting can involve food, people, media, phone, advertising or consumerism. What could you fast from in the coming fortnight to grow spiritually? John Wesley required every Methodist minister to fast two days a week. Discuss what a similar rhythm might mean for “every-member ministry” in 2025. Pray Ask God to guide each of you to revisit the classic Spiritual Disciplines—Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance, Celebration (see Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster)—and choose one to practise over the next fortnight. Pray for those on your relational map. Contacts If you would like more information or further help, please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au