Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists & let it play in the background.
FOCUS. Breathe in & out slowly. Pray, Jesus, you gave yourself for me. I give myself to you.
THANK. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
WORSHIP. Read Malachi 3:1. Focus on one truth about who God is & thank Him for it.
PRAY. Pray the Lord’s Prayer, a Ripple Prayer, or find more at paradoxchurch.com/pray.
READ. Today’s reading is from Mark 1
ASK. After reading, ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts.
S = Say. What is the main point? What does it teach about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Dave
Mark is a fast-paced, action-packed, personal account of Jesus’ teaching and ministry. Most Bible scholars believe Mark was the earliest Gospel written - between AD 64-68 - about events that took place around AD 30 to 33. The first line reveals what this book is - “the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,” written to Roman gentiles who may have never heard of Jesus or his teachings before. Mark’s purpose in writing? That people would repent (change their mind) and believe (change their actions/life) the good news about Jesus. As you read, try to see Jesus with fresh eyes and hear these stories with fresh ears. Make up your mind about Jesus for the first time (again). What would it look like to believe and follow him if you only had this book to go by? You may even want to try summarizing (like Mark) what you’re learning about God in Jesus as you answer the “SOS” questions. For example, from today’s reading…
Jesus’ Identity is God’s beloved son. His message was that the kingdom of God had come near to people. It was arriving in real time, in a real place, in a real person, who was literally near. Jesus’ message was that anyone could enter this kingdom if they would repent and believe (follow him) - as proven by his first followers. In the kingdom of God that Jesus said had come near in him, Jesus is the ultimate authority. His words and teachings had power (authority) over common wisdom and religion. In God’s kingdom, evil, sickness, and disease are driven out and healed. And this kingdom seems to not have any national boundaries or be only for one people group - Jesus made his life about expanding its reach and impact, and invited his followers to do the same.
TALK. That was our take - what’s yours? Share thoughts & ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!