Prepare your heart for the Sermon by looking through these suggestions that will assist you in making the most of our time together hearing God's Word.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

This Sunday, Dr. Jason K. Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will be preaching as a part of our Morning Gathering.

Elected on October 15, 2012, Dr. Jason K. Allen serves as the fifth president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Kansas City, Mo., and is one of the youngest presidents in all of American higher education. Since coming to Midwestern Seminary, he has led the institution to become one of the largest and fastest growing seminaries in North America.

In addition to his role as President, Dr. Allen serves the institution in the classroom, as a professor for preaching and pastoral ministry. More broadly, he serves the church through his preaching and writing ministries as well. He is the author of two recently-released books, The SBC & the 21st Century (B&H Publishing) and Discerning Your Call to Ministry (Moody Publishing). Dr. Allen regularly posts essays on his website, jasonkallen.com, and hosts a weekly podcast, “Preaching & Preachers,” which can also be found at jasonkallen.com.

Before coming to Midwestern Seminary, Dr. Allen served as a pastor, and as a senior administrator at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He and his wife, Karen, are both from Mobile, Ala., and have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.

Carefully Think

• Read Mark 10:32-45 to prepare for the sermon this Sunday.
• What scene is transpiring in verses 32-34? What kind of response should this create in Jesus' disciples?
• Read 10:35-37; what is the response of two of the twelve closest disciples to Jesus? What does their response to Jesus statements in verses 32-34 show about their hearts? What is their focus?
• Jesus escalates the scene in verse 38 to clarify to them the request they are asking? How do John and James respond in verse 39? Does this bring clarity to the understanding of the disciples and where their hearts are centered as they travel with the Son of God? Yes, Jesus affirms their request even though they do not fully understand in verses 39-40, why?
• The other ten disciples who are alongside Jesus as well also respond to James and John's request, why?
• How does Jesus' response settle the issue of all twelve disciples? What is Jesus saying about himself? About the disciples?
• The Sermon Study equipping class notes are available online for anyone wanting to dig deeper. Please review this week's notes to help study this passage. Click here for the notes.

Prayerfully Meditate

• How does it seem possible that James and John would entertain and have the mindset and heart to ask Jesus about sitting at his right and left hand in his kingdom? How often are our requests and expectations in line with Jame's and John's request? Whose glory are we seeking?
• How easy is it to put ourselves first in all things, even when we attempt to perform ministry for the sake of the gospel? We want recognition, reward, praise, or even stealing glory from Christ. How does this compare with not only Jesus' response to all of the twelve, but also how he displayed his humility to serve?
• How best do we lead others around us and serve Christ's kingdom? How best do we become like Christ? Through sacrificial service that gives all the glory and honor to God and nothing to ourselves.