Mark is the shortest account of Jesus’ life and ministry and easy to read through quickly. What we often don’t realize when we do this, however, is the masterful way that Mark constructs this narrative and draws on Old Testament words and images to prove that Jesus is God! This year we are going to encounter Jesus by slowing down and observing Jesus’ power and his authority. He calls all of us to follow him as disciples, and obey and worship him as our king.
This study is approximately 2 hours of weekly homework and uses Northview curriculum.
Join us as we study the Gospel of Mark (Northview Curriculum) and see the Son of God establish His kingdom.
Intro
If you want to get a sense for what any book is about, it is helpful to read the first chapter and the last chapter! These chapters introduce and conclude key themes and ideas, and give the reader an idea of how that content or information will be developed between the start and the end of the book.
01
Mark seems to launch quite quickly into his story but, “Most recent commentators agree…that the first part of that story stands apart to some extent, as more of a preface than merely the first scene of the drama.”
02
Lesson 2’s passage Jesus begins His ministry, preaching the gospel, and revealing His authority. How do you think people will react when He comes on the scene with new teaching, miraculous healings, and a costly call to follow Him?
03
In lesson 3 we’re going to see Jesus interact with the religious leaders as they begin to confront Him. Take note of how people respond to Jesus differently as He continues to reveal more about who He truly is!
04
As confrontation ramps up, we start to see even more drastic contrasts in how people respond to the Son of God and His new kingdom ways. It’s becoming more and more clear who is truly a follower on the “inside”, close to Jesus, and who is on the “outside”, misunderstanding and fighting against Jesus.
05
Pastors use stories to illustrate concepts, but Jesus’ parables are a bit different: they test the listener, to see how they respond to what is being taught. As we dig into these stories, pay attention to what Jesus calls people to do with what they hear!
06
This week we see how people actually respond to Jesus! In four acts of power, Jesus reveals more of who He is to the disciples and the others that are around. As you read these stories, try to put yourself into the shoes of those near Jesus. How would you react to these acts of power? What would you think about Jesus if you had seen Him do these things?