And [Jesus] said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? Then how will you understand all the parables? (Mark 4:13).

Though Jesus goes on to explain the parable of the sower, he continues to speak in parables that puzzle his disciples — and us!

As much as the Bible explains God’s ways, it also creates many more questions about the ways of God. It is part of the difficult life of faith to have to live, well, by faith, trusting in the many mysteries of God that remain unanswered.

What are the most nagging questions you have about God or the Christian faith? Express these as a psalm or poem to God, concluding with a prayer that seeks to live by faith in spite of the mysteries.

–Mark Galli
This is part of Mark Galli’s guided journal, “Discovering the Untamable God,” a 12-week journey through the Gospel of Mark. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you encounter the wild, untamable Jesus of the Gospel of Mark and let his radical sayings and actions transform your life. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.