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1. Smooth Ground                                                                                      Read Mark 1. 1-3. Read Isaiah 40.1-5.1.            1. Who is the Old Testament prophet being referenced by Mark's community, way later?                    2. In your own words,  what does God trust this person to do for us?                               3. Choose an image to symbolize as you see it,  this prophet's main role.                               4. Create a title,  describing that role.          5. Create a hashtag to place in the comment space,  that you best enjoy/want to remember or take-away, about Isaiah!

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1. Smooth Ground                                                                                      Read Mark 1. 1-3. Read Isaiah 40.1-5.1.            1. Who is the Old Testament prophet being referenced by Mark's community, way later?                    2. In your own words,  what does God trust this person to do for us?                               3. Choose an image to symbolize as you see it,  this prophet's main role.                               4. Create a title,  describing that role.          5. Create a hashtag to place in the comment space,  that you best enjoy/want to remember or take-away, about Isaiah!

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1. In Mark 1. 1-3 the Old Testament prophet being referenced is Isaiah.
2. God trusts this person to prepare a way for the lord, making the Messiah's path as smooth as possible. You can think of it as the way teachers and parents help lead us today. They make an open road and try to help us excel in our lives.
5. #openroads

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2. Listen! Listen! How can I help you to hear? Read Mark:  1.1-8. 

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2. Listen! Listen! How can I help you to hear? Read Mark:  1.1-8. 

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Mark's community wants us to see something special about John the Baptist.
From where (geographically) does John come?  John is from the wilderness in Israel.

What does this geography symbolize? Does this geography tell us something about John's ability to hear Gxd? Explain. Notice how the text describes John.  He was in the wilderness and was able to focus on what God was saying. Distractions and business of city life were removed and he was able to focus on God. He also did not get lost in the wilderness - God guided him.

Choose an IMAGINATIVE image that symbolizes John's description and role.

What is John's message? Quote it. “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals."
Now put this quote into your own words. God is coming, he is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is perfect, and I am not even worth being one of his servants.

What do you think about the people whom John serves? Why do they need John's help? What are they having a hard time with? And why is John a help? I think the people who John serves want to know and love God, but they do not know where to go. They are lost and are looking the unconditionally loving relationship God offers them. They need John's help to guide them and show them the path to follow. John's help is needed to guide the lost followers and set the on their own faithful path to spread the good news.

Create a # as your take-away from John, his people and his message. Place it in the comment section of your post.

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Reflecting on John the Baptist and thinking forward,  can you see some of these qualities in any modern person?
Yes, I can see him and his qualities in many modern people, specifcally activists and people who lead others toward a more loving and righteous future. I also see these in everyday people who lead others and live mindfully with kindness.

Whose choices and actions render him/her/them "outside of the box"--and captures our attention?  Choose someone that matters to you--that inspires you. That helps you see in new ways. Describe this person's qualities.
My mom inspires me to think outside of the box and push for what i think is right. She is strong, kind, and loving. All of her qualities shape her to be fierce when talking about topics she is passionate about. She has taught me the same. My mom is very genuine and lives the way she wants me to live. She leads others by example through love.

Choose an image that symbolizes his/her/their main message?
Give it a title that focuses our attention on this message.
Choose a # that represents what you remember and what to carry forward and share with others, too. Place this comment in the comment section.

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A.   Describe how John Baptizes.
John baptizes people with the water, and the lord comes in and baptizes them with the Holy Spirit

B.   What does John tell his people about future Baptisms?     What will be different about those?
John baptizes the people of Jerusalem and the Judean countryside in the Jordan river. He pours water over them and says that while he is baptizing them with water, the Lord with baptize us with the Holy Spirit. John tells the people that in the future they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not water.

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5. Wait, what? Read Mark 1. 1-8. -- Set the path

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5. Wait, what? Read Mark 1. 1-8. -- Set the path

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What do John's people need, best you can tell?
They need some one to guide them and prepare them for the coming of the messiah. He preached about baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
How does John compare to Jesus?
John, was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus is the messiah, the son of God.
What does John tell his people about what Jesus can give them?
Choose an image that symbolizes this for you.
John said, “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the holy Spirit.”

And as did I,  create an interesting message to explain that symbol.  Place this message in the title section of your prompt.

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Read Luke 1.26-38.
A. Does Mary understand the angel's message right away?
No, Mary was confused and scared. She did not know what was happening.

B.  How do you know? What does she say that gives you a clue?
The bible says, "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be." Mary again expressed her confusion by saying“How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

C.  What does Mary's experience with Gabriel and this message tell us about us and hearing God/listening to God?
It shows us that if we are willing to listen to God, he will explain and will guide you the right way.

D.  Choose an image that symbolizes for you, something special about this story.
E.  Write something in the title section of your prompt that sums up this symbol/something special.
F.  Create a # comment, to share your take-away;  the main idea you see in a new way and want to remember.

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Read:  Mark 9  1-11.
The Way is prepared!! John's mission, message and ritual baptism prepare the way for the coming of the Lord!  Then the Lord comes, and John baptizes Him!
A.  Describe Jesus' baptism.
Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. When he came up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Holy Spirit came down in the form of a dove. Then the voice of God came from the heavens and said, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

C.  How is The Trinity imaged in this baptism?   Spell it out.
The trinity is shown in Jesus baptism. Jesus, the son, is in the Jordan being baptized by his cousin John when the Holy Spirit descends on him. Finally, God the Father speaks from the Heavens. All three parts of the Holy Trinity were represented at Jesus' baptism.

D.  "You are my beloved, in You I am well pleased!"
How does Gxd's  message to Jesus speak to any human's baptism?
What is Gxd telling us about us? About Gxd's creation?
Gods message speaks to all humans that they are his children and that he loves them dearly. He says he is happy with us and that he loves us no matter what. God is telling us that we are all created equally and that we were all created in the image and likeness of him. That all of his creation is his beloved and is specal to him.

E.  What is Jesus' way of baptizing, that is with us now?
With what are we baptized?
Today, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit. Jesus preformed baptisms with the Holy Spirit. John however, baptized with water. We are baptized to affirm out love in God and free us from original sin. The water and oil that is used today symbolizes deeper meaning which shows that we are opening ourselves up spiritually to take in Gods love.