Simon Jones, of Baptist World Mission (BMS), offers a Brazilian perspective on the Gospel

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Mark 1.40-45

It's early in Jesus' ministry, but he is already gaining a reputation. Mark is keen to help his readers work out for themselves what the phrase ‘the kingdom of God has come near’ (1.15) might mean for all kinds of people, including us.

There are several ways into this story. Allow space in what you say for people to bring their own reading of the text into dialogue with yours. One way is to focus on what it means to ‘show compassion’. Christian mission evokes a number of responses. At its simplest, it is ‘love in action’. We see this clearly in this compelling little story.