From Portraits to Pastiche

(Old Testament Characters and The Gospel of Mark)

Pastiche – a musical, literary, or artistic composition made up of selections from different works

Artists paint with broad brush strokes, and then fill in the details with deliberate, thoughtful, intricate lines and shading.  So too, in our lives, our character and experiences create broad brush strokes and fine details – the portrait of our lives.

The Old Testament is filled with colorful characters whose portraits are much like ours – they are ordinary people trying to live lives that have meaning and purpose.  Whatever their story, they are vivid portraits of how God can and does use all kinds of imperfect people to accomplish great things – even people like us!!  

Join us on Tuesdays as we study portraits of Old Testament people then, beginning in January, we will study the Gospel of Mark – often referred to as “Portraits of Jesus.”

Mark was written to encourage the Roman Christians and to prove beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah.   Mark presents a rapid succession of vivid portraits of Jesus in action – Jesus is on the move.  As we study Mark, get ready for action, be open for God’s move into our lives, and be challenged to move into our world to serve.  Mark shows us Jesus moving – serving, sacrificing, and saving!

From imperfect people to the perfect One, we will absorb some of the broad brush strokes and intricate lines of their lives.  In this process, called transformation, we will become “new compositions” with vivid details and grand lines – unique and special!


   “In response to all He has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other… let's encourage one another..."
                   Hebrews 10:24, 25 (TLB)