Ask Questions

Right now the group is reading through the gospel of Mark. At the start of each week (our groups meets on Thursday so this is the "start") I share a Bible study method. I was pleased with this one so I thought I'd share it here too:

Have you ever been around a child who wouldn't stop saying "why"? Maybe you were babysitting or maybe it was a younger sibling who was constantly asking questioning. "Why is the sky blue?" "Why do dogs bark?" "Why is the moon sometimes out in the day?" or "Why did you have pizza for lunch?"

Young children ask questions to understand the world around them. Their questions help them to discover, grow, and figure out how everything works. As we grow we learn to answer questions but that often means we stop asking questions. Which is sad because how else can we find out what is truth? Great discoveries start with questions.

This makes questions a great tool for us as we read through the book of Mark. Questions (and answers) will help us to discover who Jesus is, what he said, what he did, and why it matters. So this week, your challenge is to ask questions.

Ask questions about what you read, ask questions about what it means, ask questions about how it matters today. I'll give you a few questions each day for you to think about but add your own. The goal is to ask questions and search for answers. And if there are answers you can't find bring them to youth group next week.

Mark 3:31-35The Message (MSG)

31-32 Just then his mother and brothers showed up. Standing outside, they relayed a message that they wanted a word with him. He was surrounded by the crowd when he was given the message, “Your mother and brothers and sisters are outside looking for you.”

33-35 Jesus responded, “Who do you think are my mother and brothers?” Looking around, taking in everyone seated around him, he said, “Right here, right in front of you—my mother and my brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

• Why do you think Jesus' mother and brothers showed up?
• Why didn't they go in to talk to Jesus?
• What do you think of Jesus' response?
• How do you think the crowd reacted to Jesus' words?
• How do you think Jesus' mother and brothers reacted to Jesus' response?
• What does "obedience is thicker than blood" mean?
• What do you learn about Jesus from this passage?
• What have you learned from today's passage?
• What other questions did you ask?

If you want to join the Mark reading you can find the daily reading here. And in case you are still wondering or a child ever asks you the "whys" I used above here are the answers...

Why is the sky blue?
A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light. When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colours because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight. Learn more from NASA

Why do dogs bark?
Barking is how dogs communicate with other dogs and their people. Different barks say different things from "I'm hungry" to "This is dangerous." Dogs also use whines, growls, and yips to communicate.

Why is the moon out sometimes in the day?

This question burns brightest of all in the minds of kids, according to the UK survey. The answer is simple: The moon is just as likely to be visible during the day as it is at night it orbits Earth independently of the sun. When its orbit brings it to your part of the sky during daylight hours, it is illuminated by the sun, and we can see it.

Why did you have pizza for lunch?
Well, I had pizza for supper last night and left over pizza is delicious.