This Changes Everything

An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark

For Openers:

For Your Information:

For Your Consideration:

  1. Does it make any difference if we do or do not know exactly who wrote this Gospel? Is there any reason why it may have been written anonymously?
  2. The two biggest holidays in the church year are Christmas and Easter, but Mark has no birth story and no account of Jesus' resurrection appearances! What is given more attention in Mark? How does this shape your picture of Jesus?
  3. As you look at the outline to the Gospel and note the geographical references, what conclusions do you draw?
  4. Look at 1.1 again. List all the things you have to presume or know in order to understand what this phrase is saying.
  5. What new "beginning" has Jesus made in your life?
  6. What is the most significant title you use for Jesus? Why?
  7. Read 1.4. How do you explain the relationship between the terms "baptism," "repentance," and "forgiveness"?
  8. Read 1.9-11 again. Who exactly sees the event? Who hears the voice? What then does this event prove and to whom?
  9. Compare 1.10-11 with 15.38-39. What is the significance of paralleling Jesus' baptism with his crucifixion?
  10. Read 1.14-15. What is so good about Jesus' message?
  1. If you knew that the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do today?
  1. What did Simon and Andrew and James and John know about Jesus before he called them? Why do you think they responded so quickly?
  2. How would you describe your steps in following Jesus? Something that happened quickly? Slowly? In spurts?
  3. When do the disciples ever fulfill Jesus' promise that they will "fish for people"?
  4. What do you think made Jesus' teaching authoritative? What makes it authoritative today?
  5. Who makes the more profound confession of faith: the unclean spirit or the people?
  6. What are the various authorities to which you are subject every day? How would you rank their importance? What do you do when you experience a conflict of or with authority?

For Later:

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