February: Small Group Discussion Guide
Salvation as Being Seen
This passage opens not with commands, but with a gaze. Before Jesus preaches, performs miracles, or calls anyone to action, he is seen and named: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” That being-seen anchors him through temptation, suffering, and mission.
When Jesus later calls the disciples, he doesn’t persuade, argue, or pressure them. He sees them—right where they are, doing ordinary work—and invites them into relationship: “Come, follow me.” Transformation doesn’t begin with self-improvement or religious effort; it begins with being known.
Scripture tells us that we are changed not by trying harder, but by beholding—by becoming aware that God is already looking at us with love (2 Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:9). Being truly seen is one of the most powerful experiences a human being can have. And once we have been seen and comforted by God, we are sent to do the same for others: to notice, to listen, and to love. This is the strange “war” of the kingdom—not violence or coercion, but love that restores people to themselves.
Announcements
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Resources
When in Romans by Beverly Roberts Gaventa
Pauline Dogmatics by Douglas A. Campbell
Sermon Video
Sermon Text
Mark 1:9-20
9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces beholding the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Sermon Quotes
When I am listened to, it creates me. - Carl Rogers
Trauma is when we are not seen and known. - Bessel van der Kolk
Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself. - Carl Jung
Discussion Questions
Where do you experience loneliness even when you’re not alone?
At Jesus’ baptism, God speaks words of love and delight before Jesus does anything public. How does it change the way you think about God to realize that Jesus was affirmed before he performed? Where do you tend to believe you must earn God’s approval? What would it look like to live from being loved, rather than toward it?
Is our lack of “fishing” more about fear, about not knowing what to say, distraction, or broken connection? Is it possible that we don’t do more fishing because of the uncertainty of entering into relationships with others, where we see them, and they see us, is real and sometimes scary?
How can this group and our church become a place where people are truly seen? What if the most important part of being a “fisher of people” was being able to truly see them?
Can you name a more powerful human experience than being fully known and loved and not rejected, not sent away, but embraced?
