Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (122 page)

When you have a good understanding of the biblical culture and the significance of the events, you are only half finished. That was then. This is now. As you gain a better understanding of Jacob’s and Esau’s dilemma, what lessons are there for today’s culture? What do these stories have to tell us as parents about favoritism, sibling rivalry, birth order, etc.? Put some thought into these issues and record your insights.

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Mark 1:21–45

TIME COMMITMENT:

60 minutes

“The point is that the Word of God is eternal and unchanging, but our world is not. Therefore, living out God’s truth demands that we plug it into our particular set of circumstances. But please note: We do not change the truth to fit our cultural agenda. Rather, we change our application of the truth in light of our needs” (p. 345).

T
here are dozens of Gospel accounts of the miracles of Jesus. He would walk down the street healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, and so forth. But have you ever tried to imagine what it would be like to live in that culture?

Read Mark 1:21–45. After you do, try to see what else you can find out about that society. We suggest you focus on two specific social problems in the culture of Jesus’ day: leprosy and demon possession. What would it be like to walk down the street and encounter either or both of these things in the people you meet?