Whoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother and my sister…
#todo (Required Assignments)
- As you go through each required (or optional) assignment, please take notes on what you learn and questions you have in your commonplace book. Your commonplace book is a great place to take notes on Vanguard readings and movies for your own benefit, even if it’s not explicitly “required” in your homework.
(Though it will increase the quality of your study) - LISTEN to David Suchet’s recording of The Gospel According to Mark. WATCH (or listen to) THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE IN ONE SITTING — as if you were watching a movie. The performance is 2 hours and 2 minutes, including the brief introduction. Don’t speed up the video.
You will notice quickly that the writing/language in this version of Mark is very different than the King James you are likely used to. This is one of many modern-language translations that are available. How do you like it? What are you noticing? Do you miss the older, more Shakespearean language? Do you like the more modern language?
As with Matthew, paying careful attention to and really opening your heart to the testimony of Mark is the most important aspect of class this week.
Please make note (in writing) of what sticks out to you, anything you have questions about, things that surprise you, things that contradict “common sense” or common cultural understandings, statements or examples that inspire you, etc.
One of the reasons I am inviting you to listen to rather than to read these testimonies of Jesus’ life is so you can literally bathe in the sound of His words and teachings.
David Suchet’s voice is another refined one and I hope you will find it a delight to listen to. - Listen to the following song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceFoV32C714
Copy these lyrics into your commonplace book:
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, but ever beside.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. - Where did Jesus go when He “[took] time to be holy”?
I’m very much looking forward to meeting with you all again.
Keep your hearts open and your minds alert
— Casey
Additional suggested activities — do some or all of these, in any order you wish
- Go for a walk
Leave your phone/headphones/electronics home and “speak … with thy Lord”
Follow Jesus’ example to find a “solitary place” to be with your Father
Write down any impressions your have or lessons you learn - Go for another walk
See if you can find a place that is free from sounds of the man-made world. Often His voice can be heard in the silence of His Creation - After dark, bundle up and go outside
Look up
Set a timer for 30 minutes
Get comfortable
Spend the entire 30 minutes looking at the starry sky (30 minutes might feel a lot longer or a lot shorter than you imagine — what was it for you?)
Drink in the enormity of what God has made
Keep your focus upward
See what God teaches you
- Listen to the Testimony of Mark again. This link is to a studio recording also done by David Suchet. Same reader, same translation, no introductory remarks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt4rWLVAW5g
This time through, don’t worry about listening to it all in one sitting (though, of course, you are welcome to do that again as well).
Start at the beginning or skip ahead to any random spot
Play it for 5 minutes or 50
Turn it on while you are going to bed or when you wake in the morning
Listen when you are driving somewhere or waiting for your next activity
Have it playing while you are cleaning the family room or doing the dishes
Do this any time this week that you have a moment to fill or when you would or could listen to something else
You will never regret a moment spent in the words of Jesus
Onward, Vanguardians
