Bible Study recap: Mark 6.1-13

It seems "familiarity breeds contempt" in the case of Jesus in his hometown. Whether it's case of jealousy/envy, or having too much history/knowledge biases a person's opinion unfairly, he cannot overcome the rejection of Nazareth. It seems that it takes two to make a miracle: one to give, one to receive, and both have to have faith and believe.

As is so often the case, people have to prove themselves elsewhere before finding acclaim in their home town (witness all the Canadian greats who had to find success in bigger markets before being appreciated by their home town, like Mike Weir or Shania Twain).

When Jesus sends out his disciples with "power over evil spirits", was this power given to them? Or did he awaken a latent inner power that they already had?

Why were sandals and a staff acceptable gear, but food and clothing weren't? It seems that sandals and a walking stick were equipment for the journey. Food and clothing is an indicator of settling down, stopping and staying for a while. Jesus wanted them to keep on the move and spread the gospel message.

Is shaking the dust off one's feet giving up too soon? Granted, there is something to be said about cutting one's losses and moving on if there's no hope of progress, but does God do that to us? Move on down the road, never to return?

And some worthwhile causes will never be satisfactorily addressed, no matter how much time, money or energy we spend (for example, poverty). Is it a cop-out to say our efforts won't be heeded, so let's just move on? Is it right that we suggest maybe we're not the ones to help, and leave it to somone else?

The common thread that underlay our discussion was that true authority comes from within; that others' perceptions or reactions to us cannot dictate the value or effectiveness of our ministries. Society would be certainly be different if our ideas of self-worth came from within ourselves.