Community Church of West Garden Grove

Mark: Exclusivity and Extreme Measures

This passage focuses on Mark 9:38--50 where the disciples are upset at others doing miracles who aren't "in the loop" and Jesus' subsequent call to extreme measures in the pathway of discipleship.  
Text: Mark 9.38--50
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Children, Disciples and Jesus

This week we look at the roll of Children, Disciples and Jesus in Mark's Gospel.
Drawing from Mark 9.30--37, 10.13--16 and Matthew 18.1--6 we look at: How children were viewed as insignificant and small rather than innocent and pure.  And then we spend some discussing how the disciples were on an olympic quest to be great. And finally - how the whole passage centers around Jesus as all emphasis is put on him and his Kingdom.Text - Mark 9.30--37, 10.13--16 and Matthew 18.1--6
Teacher: Eric Williams

2024 State of the Church

This week, we dive into the current state of the Church.
I discuss some personal hurdles, along with our board transition and utilized the: Financial Accountability, Event Coordinating, Pastoral Support, Mission Oriented, and Spiritual Direction/Discernment paradigm as a way to think through where our church has been and where it is going. 
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Suffering and Greatness -

This week we discuss one of the patterns in Mark 9/10 of: Jesus predicting his suffering--the disciples misunderstanding and selfishness--Jesus call to be a servant/slave.  It is helpful in this passage to consider the age of the disciples as well as the nautre of being a servant as explained in Richard Foster's book - The Celebration of Discipline.
Text: Mark 9.30--35, 10.32--45
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Unable

This week we look at one of the most famous cries in the scripture: "I believe!  Help my unbelief!"  The healing of the father's son, is mainly framed around those in the story who are "unable"--disciples, father, son, crowd.  The necessity for faith and prayer are the key elements to move us from "unable" to "able."
Text: Mark 9.14--29
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: The Transfiguration pt. 2

This week we return to Jesus' Transfiguration - the importance of this narrative in the Early Church, the importance of "Listening to Him" - and some tie-ins from the Matthew account. 
Text: Mark 9.1--10
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: The Transfiguration pt. 1

Merry Christmas Eve - this week we look at Jesus' Transfiguration--defining the word, how he is transfigured, and the importance of "Listening to Him."
Text: Mark 9.1--10
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Confession and Discipleship

This week, we look at Peter's confession of the Christ, and what it means to see Jesus clearly through the lens of his call to discipleship.
Text: Mark 8.24--9.1
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Healing of the Blind Man & Lectio Divina

This week we study Jesus' healing of the blind man in Mark 8.22--26. We engage this primarily through a group Lectio Divina which looks like this:
What is the word that falls on my ear?
Why is that—life, circumstances, relationships, struggles, victories?
What now?—is there a next step that God is inviting me to take?
Then end our time with a few textual notes.Text: Mark 8.22--26
Teacher: Eric Williams

Mark: Feeding 4000

This week we look at Jesus feeding 4000 in the gentile territory of the Decapolis.  Comparing it with his feeding of the 5000, Jesus is symbolically stating his claim as the provider and giver not only to Israel, but also the gentiles.  
Text: Mark 8.1--10
Teacher: Eric Williams