Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Un-Planning: 5x5x5 and Mark 4

I am committed to reading through the New Testament of the Bible in 2017.   Kristyn, my sister, and I are reading together and we have been considering questions that we have when reading through the various passages.  Today we were reading through Mark 4.


While reading through, Kristyn made light of questions and personalization that she had related to the passages that we were reading.  This made sense and I have really enjoyed reading through the New Testament with new passion and diligence.  Kristyn also had some good advice for the Challengers on Wednesday evening.  Consider "un-planning" the time and focus on working through the Bible not just for knowledge but for understanding as only the Holy Spirit can do.  I texted her some questions and observations that I had while I read through and then began to consider what this would look like with the Challengers at church.


The commitment to read through the Bible began two weeks before the end of the year.  The 5x5x5  Plan from Navigator Press was presented to the church and everyone was asked to follow through once the new year began.  It is straightforward with 5 days on and 2 days off for reflection.  The questions that the plan asks to present and reflect upon allow for personal growth and testimony building that flows through the reading plan.


So, we passed out Bibles in Challengers and I wrote separate passage segments from Mark 4:13-19 on pieces of paper and spread them on the floor.  The Challengers were asked to move around the room and either place: 
  • Brackets ( [  ] ) around phrases that they found important
  • Forward slashes ( \ ) before phrases that had a significant connection to what came before them
  • Circles ( O ) around key words that were "univocal" or had the same meaning through the phrase or paragraph
  • Underline ( ___ ) key passages or words that were pivotal to understanding.  
  • Ask themselves what "ah-hah" words or concepts were evident?  
  • Ask what words are questionable in meaning or application?  
  • What is relevant?  
  • What is authentic?
The Challengers rotated to all the pieces of paper corresponding to the various phrases on the floor and made their marks and wrote their questions.



These elements were written on the board ahead of time and then the papers were spread around the room.


The reactions that the students wrote where then tabulated and written on one sheet of paper.


My takeaway was how Jesus spoke to the crowd about sowing seeds and then asked if they got the point or not.  He then told the parable again with additional details.  It is interesting how Jesus brings the point home by telling what he told before in a different way and with additional detail. 


Also, previously in Mark, Jesus is picking out the disciples and he picks fisherman.  We had the discussion of why fisherman were choice prospects.  I wonder who Jesus would have picked if the setting was different, like in an urban setting where people work in offices and are employed by businesses in high rise buildings amongst the hustle and bustle of city life?  


It was refreshing reading in this way and exploring the Bible with many eyes on the passage.  
  • Why parables?  
  • Why should we understand them?  
  • Why is the Bible so important to sustaining a relationship with Jesus?  
I did observe that over planning can quench the open exploration and growth that comes from un-planning.  I think this is different from under planning as that would mean I attempted to have a plan and did not complete it.  This time around I had a plan and scrapped it ... left the details out ... made exploration and questioning the forefront where the Holy Spirit was the guide.  That is sometimes a frightening place to be; letting go.  It also means that I let go of me and trust in Him.

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