March 20 - Mark 6:1-12

Two things are spoken of here..
Verses 1-6 talk about how a prophet is without honor in his own hometown.. Sometimes when we all grow up together we think we know each other really well and sometimes we do. Then, say - the guy that is known as the "rebel" in your class changes - for some reason, it's harder for those that really know him to accept this rebel as a changed person. It's like the people around this person have a harder time believing and accepting that this person has changed and so the so-called former rebel has a hard time adjusting to his new life as a changed person.
Sometimes we become so familiar and adjusted to our current life, the people around us - that sometimes it's hard to notice change. Sometimes it's hard to accept that the person that used to be such a bad person, the person that you had made up your mind to dislike - is no longer that bad anymore -- they changed!

Would you give them a chance? Would you give yourself a chance? Sometimes, change is possible with God. Bad people don't stay bad forever.
If there is someone in our youth group who has had an image that they really want to shed - let's give them a chance to be the different person that God has destined them to be. Trust that God is changing the person... and don't let your prejudices guide the way you treat people.

The second theme is about the awesome power of God - ordinary people given the authority to cast out demons and heal!!! How amazing is that? God sends each and every one of us out into the world to be a witness of God's power. And what if your friends say, "Dude, what's gotten into you? When did you become such a Jesus freak? How come you actin' all nice and stuff? That's not you.." Well, back to the point above... people may not believe that you've changed but don't believe the lies.. God is continuing an awesome work in you... Believe it.. and one day He will send you out with authority like these disciples!

How totally cool is that!