Before you begin there are some things to explain:

A: Why is this study thing called ‘He did what?’

Now I don’t know what your background is, but I grew up going to church, well kind of – until I was four, there was no real talk of God in my house, but about the time I was four my mum started taking me and my older brothers to church.  Now I don’t have an awesome memory of back then, but I do remember on a couple of occasions listening to a bible story and going ‘awww that’s really cool’.  But the problem is by the time I was a teenager I had heard all the stories about Jesus and God, and I would read something that I should have said ‘awww that is cool’ and just be like ‘oh yeah, well he is God’.  I had lost my excitement, my awe.

The thing is, when we read about Jesus – we should be going ‘awww that’s cool’ on every page, because IT IS COOL.  It really is.  So the challenge to you is read Mark with me.  But read it with fresh eyes, read it as if you have never heard these stories before (maybe you haven’t), and hopefully each day you will be able to exclaim ‘He did what? Awww that’s cool!’

B: The ‘Swedish’ thing.

To be honest, Sweden is a country that I don’t know a whole lot about.  One day I might visit there, but probably not.  But in my opinion Sweden is cool for two reasons.  The first is the Swedish Chef off the Muppets.  The second is for what is called the Swedish method.  Now it turns out that the Swedish didn’t even come up with this method but a pretty cool person called Ada Lum, I found out about it from this website: http://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2009/01/the-swedish-method/ I would suggest checking it out if you want more info, but here is the summary:

A light bulb: This should be something that ‘shines’ from the passage—whatever impacts most, or draws attention.

A question mark: Anything that is difficult to understand in the text, or a question the reader would like to ask the writer of the passage or the Lord.

An arrow: A personal application for the reader’s life.

So, after you read my bit each day – its really important that you then go check out my source – I will always give you the bible reference I am working from.  And then ‘Go Swedish’ on that passage, don’t just read it, but pick it apart a little, go deeper and make an effort to find out what is really going on.  I would suggest keeping a notepad where you write the bible verses of each reading and then your light bulb, question mark and arrow thoughts.  Find a couple of other people also using ‘He Did What’ and compare notes, share your insights and questions, challenge each other and encourage each other – its worth it.

C: I am not infallible.

The last thing I think I need to say before you start this series is to remember I am not perfect, I am not infallible (never wrong), I get things wrong, I make mistakes.  I am also a human being who is a sponge to the culture around him, so as much as I try to be honest and authentic with the text I am working with, sometimes my own cultural bias’ will seep in.  Do me a favour – don’t treat my words as God’s word – instead treat God’s word (the bible) as God’s word.  My honest hope is that as I write these devotions the Holy Spirit will talk through my words – but please don’t blame Him when I get it wrong.  So please be critical – pick apart what I am saying, challenge my ideas – but always use God’s word as the basis of your challenge.

So now what?

Start at day 1 and work your way through the book of Mark.  This study has been written (in my mind at least) to be done for five days a week.  This means something gets in the way one day, no big deal just continue on the next day.

God Bless,

Michael.

The Scripture quotations contained here are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright, 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Day 1 Mark 1:1-8

Day 2 Mark 1:9-14

Day 3 Mark 1:15-20

Day 4 Mark 1:21-28

Day 5 Mark 1:29-34

Day 6 Mark 1:35-39

Day 7 Mark 1:40-45 Part I

Day 8 Mark 1:40-45 Part II

Day 9 Mark 2:1-12

Day 10 Mark 2:13-17

Day 11 Mark 2:18-28

Day 12 Mark 3:1-6

Day 13 Mark 3:7-19

Day 14 Mark 3:20-35

Day 15 Mark 4:1-20

Day 16 Mark 4:21-34

Day 17 Mark 4:35-41

Day 18 Mark 5:1-20

Day 19 Mark 5:21-34

Day 20 Mark 5:35-43

Day 21 Mark 6:1-6

Day 22 Mark 6:7-13

Day 23 Mark 6:14-29

Day 24 Mark 6:30-44

Day 25 Mark 6:45-52