Week 1 - The Kingdom is at hand
Sunday Passage:
Mark 1:1–20
Theme:
Closing the distance on religion and performance
Weekly Reading: Mark 1–2
Relatable Story:
Most of us don’t realize how tired we are until we finally stop trying to prove ourselves. We perform at work, we perform in relationships, and if we’re honest, we can even perform with God—hoping He’ll love us more if we get it right. But Mark opens with a different kind of announcement: not “try harder,” but “The Kingdom is here.” Jesus doesn’t come to improve your religious resume—He comes to interrupt your life with a new reality. And His first invitation isn’t to behave better… it’s to follow Him. This week isn’t about learning more information. It’s about leaving the nets and stepping into the Kingdom.
Study Focus
• Repentance as reorientation, not moral cleanup
• Authority rooted in identity, not position
• Following Jesus before understanding everything
Discussion Questions
What does Jesus mean when He says, “The Kingdom of God has come near”?
Why do you think Mark begins with action rather than explanation?
What “nets” are hardest for you to leave behind?
How is following Jesus different from believing ideas about Jesus?
Kingdom Practice
Practice Immediacy:
Identify one area where you’ve delayed obedience and take a concrete step this week, confide in your people right now for accountability.
