2018 Study 
​Gospel of Mark

​Three sections:
  1. Introduction: Jesus Grabs Us
  2. Ministry: Jesus Teaches Us
  3. Holy Week: Jesus All in For Us
Always ask:
  1. What grabbed my imagination?
  2. What words, phrases, ideas stood out?
  3. How is the Holy Spirit nudging me as I read this?
You may post your thoughts, prayers & questions here.

#1 section = INTRODUCTION: Jesus Grabs Us

  • Week 1 – Intro to the writer:  Mark 14:46-52; Acts 12:11-12;  13:1-3, 5, 13;  15:36-40a; 1 Peter 5:13-14; Colossians 4:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:11; and Philemon  23-25.   Use Mark 14:46-52 for Dwelling in Word
This week's readings are background information about Mark whose other name is John. Just as we often have two names, first & middle or real & nickname, so Mark/John had two names. Tradition has considered this John Mark to be the author of this gospel.
  • Mark was apparently quite young when he encountered Jesus but old enough to have been there when Jesus was arrested in the garden (Mark 14:46-52). use for Dwelling in the Word
  • His mother, another Mary, is mentioned in Acts 12:11-12, and apparently was a significant leader in the early church and sufficiently wealthy to have a larger house used as a gathering place.
  •  John/Mark had his struggles growing up and deeply disappointed Paul as seen in Acts 13:103,5,13, 15:36-40a.
  • Tradition commonly understands that he became very involved as an aid to Peter and Peter was a mentor to him to the point that Peter regarded him as a son – 1 Peter 5:13-14. It is thought that because of that close relationship Peter told the story of Jesus to Mark who wrote it down and was the earliest to do so.
  • In time Paul came to appreciate Mark and Mark was also involved and helpful in Paul’s work and  ministry: Colossians 4:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:11 and Philemon 23-25
2 – Intro to the gospel: Because the Good News of God's salvation in Jesus Christ is the greatest message of all time we have four gospels so that each one provides a unque prespective on God's presence and work in Jesus. The uniqueness of Mark's gospel is best seen by examining the Beginning, middle,  and end of this gospel. 
  • Mark 1:1-12: What's missing? What does Mark call this? With what and how does Jesus' ministry begin?
  • Mark 8:27-38;  Us this for your Dwelling in the Word. Caesarea Philippi is a Roman colony well north of Galilee and where no one would know Jesus. Why does Jesus choose that area to ask his question? What is the point of this question and teaching for you?
  • Mark 16:1-8: Mark's gospel ends with this transforming, challenging reality. Read here to learn why additions were added to Mark's manuscript. 
3 – Beginning of Good News   use 1:32-39 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 1:1-39   notice where Jesus is driven, where he begins his minsitry, who he calls,  why and how people are astounded & amazed, and Jesus' source and response to their desires
4 – Touch, Forgive, Call, Eat   use 2:1-12 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 1:40-2:22   notice Jesus' response to the leper, paralyzed man, and tax collector
5 – Son Man, Son of God    use 2:28-3:6 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 2:23-3:12   wrestle with this reading for Jesus breaks the Sabbath so drastically that the leading religious people want to destroy him. What does this mean?

#2 section = MINISTRY: Jesus Teaches Us

1 – Calling & Teaching use 3:32-4:20 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 3:13-4:34   Jesus' call and teaching can bear much fruit. But will we listen? 
2 – Stilling Storms; Raising Life use 5:22-43 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 4:35-6:6   Jesus stills storms of wind, demons, disease and death. But will we believe him?
3 – Sending into Mission use 6:29-44,46 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 6:7-8:21   Jesus' strength is in prayer and with it he feeds 5000 and walks on water. Will we trust him?
4 – Beware of Pharisee Yeast use 7:1-15;32-35 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 7:1-8:21   Will details keep us from seeing and trusting Jesus? Or will we dare to trust him?
5 – Who Is Blind? use ​9:31-41 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 8:22-10:52  This reading begins and ends with Jesus healing blind men. Who is really blind?

#3 section = HOLY WEEK: Jesus Is All in For Us

1 –Temple use 11:12-25 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 11:1-25    What do we learn from the donkey and the fig tree?
2 –Authority use (12:13-27 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 11:27-12:44   Chief Priests, scribes, elders, pharisees and saducees all seek to entangle Jesus. 
3 – Beware! Don’t Go Astray use 13:1-10;14:3-9 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 13:1-14:11    How easily misled and how hard to see Jesus in the simplest of people and actions!
4 – Crucify Him!  use 14:60-72;15:21-22  for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 14:12-15:21   We journey from Passover to the Lamb being slain.
5 – Dead & Alive use ​15:33-41 for Dwelling in the Word
  • Mark 15:22-16:8   Look for the cry from the cross and the terror and amazment that seizes.