Rooting Path · How to Read the Bible · Lesson 2: Slow Down and See
This lesson in one sentence: See first, then explain; observation takes no scholarship, only slowness.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Practice Together15 min
- Discussion20 min
- This Week5 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
Is there some small thing around you lately that you had never noticed before?
Read Together
46They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. 47When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” 48Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” 49Jesus stood still and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” 50He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. 51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” 52Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.
Mark 10:46–52 · WEB
35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” 36He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”
Mark 10:35–37 · WEB
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
Ps 119:18 · WEB
Practice Together
Ask three members to take turns reading Mark 10:46–52 aloud. After each reading, everyone names one thing they see, and the leader writes it down; see whether the group can reach 20. Say only what you see, not what it means.
Discussion
- “Jesus stood still” (Mark 10:49)—what is the most surprising observation in this passage for you?
- Bartimaeus goes from “sitting by the road” (Mark 10:46) to “followed Jesus on the way” (Mark 10:52)—has there been a similar turn on your own road?
- To the same question, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51), why are the answers of the disciples and of Bartimaeus so different?
This Week
This week read a short section of Mark each day (starting from chapter 1), and write only observations, not meanings: three things you see each day.
Each person names when they will read Mark this week; agree that next time everyone brings 3 observations.
Closing
Close together with the prayer from the Psalms: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law” (Ps 119:18).
Tips for the leader
- When observing, don’t rush to explain. If someone starts interpreting straight away, gently bring them back: ‘That’s a meaning—first say what you see.’
- Don’t judge whose observation is ‘right’. When someone says something you also saw, saying ‘I saw that too’ is better than saying ‘right’.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.