Gospel lesson for the week

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

When Jesus sent his disciples out to teach and heal, they ministered among large numbers of people. Their work was motivated by Christ's desire to be among those in need.

³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught.³¹He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.³²And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.³³Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them.³⁴As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.⁵³When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat.⁵⁴When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him,⁵⁵and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.⁵⁶And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

Gospel Reflection Questions 
 to share and discuss

1. As this text begins, the disciples, now called “apostles,” have returned from their missionary journeys and are reporting to Jesus.  If you had a chance to tell Jesus about your life, what would you say to him?

   
   
2. Jesus had “compassion” on the “great crowd” – what are some ways we can show compassion to others?
   
   
3. Everyone wanted to touch Jesus and be healed – when have you experienced healing in your life?  Say a prayer of thanksgiving for Jesus’ love and healing for you and others.
   
   

Prayer

O Lord, help us to share compassion and love for others in our daily lives.  Help us to believe in your love for us and to “touch” others with your love.  We thank you for the ways you have loved and healed us also.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

This is Mt. Olive’s weekly online Bible Study for youth, adults and families. Each week we will reflect on the coming weekend’s Gospel text covered at our upcoming worship services. This is your opportunity to read the text, reflect on the questions, share and discuss with friends and family, and share a prayer.

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illustration by Julie Lonneman exclusively for Augsburg Fortress.