The Gospel of Mark – Study Questions #2

Kyle Bartholic   -   January 11, 2024

Apprenticeship: The invitation of discipleship.

Mark 1:14-20 (CGS#2)

INTRODUCTION:  Last Sunday, we began our teaching series through the Gospel of Mark. Over the coming months, we will take a long, slow walk through Mark’s gospel account. Mark, or as he is also known, John Mark, is the author of this book. Mark and Peter were long ministry partners, and by the time this Gospel was written, they were living and working in Rome. According to church tradition, Mark writes down much of Peter’s sermon content as it pertains to Jesus. In fact, the vast majority of Mark’s gospel deals with the final portion of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. Mark’s Gospel has been described as “a passion-narrative with an extended introduction.” The reason that almost half of Mark’s sixteen chapters describe the final period of Jesus’ ministry is that it is in his suffering, death and resurrection that the revelation of God in Christ is most clearly seen.[1]

In the conclusion of chapter 1, we will see Mark move with great speed from the wilderness temptation, to the calling of the first disciples, and then into the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus. If we’re not careful, we could think that all of this happens in the span of a few days. But, that is not the case, and reading Mark alongside the other Gospels helps to clarify this. In fact, 6-9 months will transpire between 1:15 and 1:16. Being able to understand the timeline helps us to understand the events and the context better. One commenter describes this section as a snapshot of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. He preaches, calls disciples, casts out demons, and heals the sick. But these verses are structured in such a way to show the priority of preaching over healing. Casting out demons and healing the sick function as the proof of the message of Jesus’ preaching. When the disciples want Jesus to return to his healing ministry, he declares that they are taking him off mission. He has come out of heaven in order to preach the gospel, not merely to heal the sick.[2] When we take that into account, what do we see in Jesus as the servant messiah? Well, the kingdom wasn’t going to be merely about power and authority on earth. It was about something different. It was about proclaiming the good news of salvation and a messiah who came to serve and give his life to make it all happen (cf. 10:45). The central truth we see in this section is that when you follow Jesus, what is important to him becomes important to you.

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As a group, take time to answer this question. Who was the first person in your life that you can remember actively wanting to be like? What was it about them that made you want to emulate them?

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage(s). It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions. [3]

  1. When you read this passage what stands out to you about Jesus’ character? Remember, when we look at Jesus, we see God clearly (Jn. 1:18).
  2. If you had to define the word repentance, how would you do it in 10 words or less? Do you agree with the idea that repentance and belief go hand-in-hand? Why or why not?
  3. How have you seen the main idea of the sermon be true in your own life? – When you follow Jesus, what is important to him becomes important to you.
  4. When is following Jesus particularly hard for you? Why is it worth it?
  5. Practically speaking, what do you think is the difference between “surrendering” and “committing” to Christ?

 

 

 

 

 

[1] William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1974), 2.

[2] Jason Meyer, Mark for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2022), 27.

[3] Questions #4-5 are from – Jason Meyer, Mark for You, ed. Carl Laferton, God’s Word for You (The Good Book Company, 2022).