Study Journal Check-In #1

Have you used your scripture journal with each bloc of reading in Mark 1-10?

No. I did not use it for the first bloc, Mark 1-4.

What are two additional resources that have enhanced your study?

One resource that has improved my study of the scriptures is the New Testament Student Manual. I've really enjoyed using this resource because it helps to explain a lot of confusing elements in New Testament. It gives cultural context, and it provides sources to back it up. It also helps to clarify doctrinal points in the text and supports them with talks given by General Authorities, as well as other religious sources. The manual really helps to bring everything together into one place.

Another resource that has helped is The Gospel according to Mark: A New Rendition. This resource from the BYU Religious Studies Center is helpful because it gives a version of the story in modern day English. It helps to clarify some of the older, more unclear English in the Bible. It also gives some interesting differences in translation. For example, in Luke 9, when the disciples of Jesus ask about why they weren't able to cast out the spirit that possessed the child, his response in the KJV mentions fasting and prayer, while his response in the New Rendition simply mentions prayer.

Share one insight that you have gained from your scripture study and/or from the additional resource.

One insight that I really loved from my reading was from the moment when James and John ask if they can have a seat at the right and left hand of Christ in his kingdom. After responding to their request, he explains to his disciples that the greatest in the kingdom of God is he that serves his fellow men. As I read this, I realized that this is a principle that applies here, as well.

There are many dictators or other political leaders that get others to do things by force, fear, or dishonesty. However, the best leaders, and those that are most revered in history are those that have earned the trust of those that they lead. The best way to do this is to serve others, to show them love, and to show them how important they are. It's in showing others their value that others begin to respect us and recognize our value as well. It's in showing others that they are the greatest that people are willing to show you respect and help you to do more than you could ever do alone. Thus, we see that the greatest in the kingdom of God, he who has reached his greatest potential is he who has helped others to reach their greatest potential.

How has this insight blessed your life, or how have you applied what you learned?

Understanding this has helped me to understand my role as a leader in different areas of my life. Specifically, I have seen how I can apply it in my role as supervisor at Aloha Plate. I need to remember that my purpose of supervisor isn't to tell everyone what they need to do. It isn't to micromanage everyone and ensure that everything goes exactly the way I think it should go. My purpose is to enable each employee to be able to do the job themselves. And I need to do it with love, instructing and directing while at the same time showing them how important their contribution to the team is. I need to ensure that they feel that their efforts are appreciated and that they feel needed. In doing so, the whole workplace will become a more enjoyable place to work, and everyone will be more willing to do a quality job.