Even people who are committed to Jesus can become unresponsive to him. The disciples who left everything to follow Jesus—jobs, family and friends, and familiar routines—drifted away in their hearts until they were unable to hear and see Jesus accurately. Jesus persistently and patiently pursued their hearts—just as he desires to draw you back to himself. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Read Mark 8:1-10 where Jesus interacts with his disciples and feeds more than four thousand people, then read the setup (7:31-37) and the aftermath (8:11-26) of this event. 2. Pay special attention to Jesus’ questions in 8:16-19. How are these moments (healing a deaf man, feeding thousands, teaching in the boat, and healing a blind man) connected? How would you express what Jesus wanted his followers to learn? 3. What did you hear this weekend that inspired you, challenged you, or sparked disagreement or further consideration? 4. If our heart grows unresponsive to Jesus, how might our spiritual hearing or sight be affected? When our heart grows to become more like Jesus, how might our spiritual hearing or sight be affected? 5. Describe the temptations of following the way of the Pharisees or Herod (8:15)—what might that look like for people today? How could you guard against those temptations? 6. Jesus pursues our hearts patiently over time. As you look back over your life, what are some of your significant seasons of growth? Where are you now in this gradual progression? 7. What are you holding onto that you could give to Jesus? What does it look like for you to give this to Jesus?