Calls. Session 1 MARK 1:9-20. Jesus is the promised Messiah, worthy of being followed.

Transcription

1 Session 1 Calls Jesus is the promised Messiah, worthy of being followed. MARK 1:9-20 MEMORY VERSE: MARK 1:17 READ Mark 1:1-20, First Thoughts (p. 14), and Understand the Context (p. 14). Highlight words that illustrate urgency. Consider how the passage intersects with the lives of the group. STUDY Mark 1:9-20, using Explore the Text on pages Use PACK ITEM 1 (Map: Places in Jesus Ministry) or a Bible atlas to familiarize yourself with the locations mentioned in the passage. Examine John 14:1-14 for further insight on the Trinity and Matthew 3:13 4:22 for Matthew s recording of the baptism, temptation, and calling of Jesus disciples. PLAN the group time, using Lead Group Bible Study (pp ), More Ideas (p. 22), ideas included in QuickSource, and those online at Blog.LifeWay.com/ExploretheBible/Adults/LeaderExtras. As you prepare, prayerfully consider the three scenes in Mark 1:9-20 and examine your own life for areas in which you need to more fully follow Christ. GROW from expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/Web/ ExploretheBible). GATHER the following items: Personal Study Guides. Prepare to display: PACK ITEM 1 (Map: Places in Jesus Ministry); PACK ITEM 2 (Outline of Mark); and PACK ITEM 4 (Poster: Sea of Galilee). Make copies of: PACK ITEM 7 (Handout: Mark Time Line); and PACK ITEM 8 (Handout: Memory Verse Bookmark). Date of My Bible Study: 13

2 KEY DOCTRINE Baptism Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19-20). BIBLE SKILL FIRST THOUGHTS John Glenn became the first person to orbit the earth in When he died in December 2016, his passing was lamented because he was widely considered one of the last American heroes. Genuine heroes are hard to come by these days. Political leaders are often seen as divisive. Entertainers live outrageously. Titans of industry seem to live only to make another billion. (In PSG, p. 10) Who were your heroes when you were growing up? Which of today s famous individuals could you point a child to as a worthy hero? Explain. Use a Bible atlas and Bible dictionary (print version or on the Internet) to locate and learn about places mentioned in Scripture. Find the location of Galilee, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and the Jordan River in a Bible atlas. (Tip: check the atlas index or search on the Internet.) Then use a Bible dictionary to learn more about these places. What are some significant facts about these places that help you better understand Mark 1? BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR For additional context, read Mark, the Man and His Gospel and Where John Was Baptizing in the Spring 2019 issue of Biblical Illustrator. Available at LifeWay.com/ BiblicalIllustrator. UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT MARK 1:1-20 Mark could have started writing about Jesus in any number of ways. He could have started with Jesus genealogy and birth (as Matthew did). He could have started with the angel s announcement of Jesus birth to Mary (as Luke did). He could have started with a weighty theological introduction (as John did). Mark did none of these things. He told nothing about Jesus background or human origins. What Mark did instead was to set the stage briefly before introducing Jesus as a mature adult. So he began with three short items. First, he gave almost as a title page a concise overview of his book. It is, he said, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (1:1). There s no question that Mark believed Jesus to be God s Son, the Messiah, and that what he was writing was great news. Further, he wanted to persuade his readers to believe as well. Second, Mark described the gospel as the fulfillment of ancient Jewish prophecies (1:2-3). He quoted Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 with the confidence that they spoke in advance about Jesus forerunner, John the Baptist. If the forerunner had long been God s plan and had been foreseen by prophets, how much more so the life and ministry of Messiah! Third, Mark gave a brief sketch of John, telling of his preaching and ministry and strange appearance and diet (1:4-6). He quoted a bit of John s message, in which he announced that someone more powerful and more worthy that he would soon arrive (1:7-8). With the stage thus set by Mark, Jesus appears. His deeds are vigorous and compelling. Mark 1:1 3:6, the first major section of this Gospel, focuses on how Jesus revealed His authority. This week s study shows how Jesus authority was revealed by calling persons to follow Him. Next week, we ll see how His authority was revealed by forgiving sins. 14 Explore the Bible Leader Guide

3 EXPLORE THE TEXT AFFIRMED (MARK 1:9-11) VERSE 9 The phrase in those days is language less specific than we are used to, since journalistic precision is expected in our times. Mark meant simply that Jesus came to John the Baptist during the time of John s active ministry of preaching and baptizing. Mark specified that Nazareth was a town in the Palestinian region called Galilee, likely to help his first readers with their geography. Nazareth was a small town a few miles southwest of the Sea of Galilee. Both Matthew and Luke explained that Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth and that Jesus grew up there, but this was not noted by Mark. Jesus walked twenty miles or more to the place at the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. Mark did not record, as Matthew did, any of the conversation between Jesus and John in which John expressed reluctance to baptize Jesus. Jesus persuaded John to baptize Him because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). In other words, being baptized was the right thing for Jesus. Bible students have often made the case that in His baptism, Jesus was identifying with humanity as well as affirming John s ministry. He certainly was not baptized as an act of repentance, for He never committed any sin. VERSE 9 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. VERSES Mark s note that Jesus came up out of the water implies that the form of baptism was immersion or plunging Jesus under the water. (The term baptize in the original language meant dip or plunge. ) However, his main emphasis was on what happened next. The phenomenon of the heavens being torn open as well as the visible appearance of the Spirit descending on him like a dove was utterly unexpected and astonishing. Although Mark s language implies that Jesus alone saw the Spirit, John the Baptist later reported that he saw the Spirit as well, persuading him of Jesus identity: I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. I didn t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God (John 1:32-34). All three Persons of the Trinity were involved in this scene. The Son was baptized; the Spirit descended; the Father spoke. The words of affirmation, You are my beloved Son, are an allusion to Psalm 2:7, a messianic prophecy and a confirmation of Mark s designation of Jesus as the Son of God in the opening of his book. The words with you I am well-pleased allude to Isaiah 42:1, a prophecy about the (suffering) Servant of the Lord. As far as the record in any of the Gospels shows, Jesus performed no mighty work before this time. After the Spirit anointed and rested on Him, with the Father affirming His pleasure in His Son, Jesus erupted into passionate ministry. Yet He was still to be tested before He began. VERSES As soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased. Session 1 : Calls 15

4 How does the presence of the Father and the Spirit at Jesus baptism encourage you to trust that Jesus is the perfect Son of God? In what ways is Jesus baptism an example for us? TESTED (MARK 1:12-13) VERSE Immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. VERSE 12 Immediately was one of Mark s favorite terms, found more than forty times in the Gospel. It suggests both speed and urgency, and sometimes a surprising turn in the account, which is the case here. After reading of the Spirit s descent onto Jesus, we may not be ready to learn that the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. In God s plan, sometimes mountaintop experiences are followed by valleys. (It happened to Elijah; see 1 Kings ) Not far from the Jordan River were rugged places with few inhabitants. Unlike Matthew and Luke, Mark did not mention that Jesus fasted during His lonely time in the wilderness. VERSE He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels were serving him. VERSE 13 Two famous Old Testament leaders had experiences that lasted forty days: Moses and Elijah (Ex. 24:18; 34:18; 1 Kings 18:8). Further, the people of Israel went through forty years of wilderness testing (Deut. 8:2-3). It was therefore fitting for Jesus to have a forty-day experience. Mark s language suggests that Jesus was tempted by Satan throughout the entire ordeal. Matthew and Luke emphasized the three temptations that occurred at the end of the forty days. Further, Jesus faced additional temptations throughout His life on earth (Luke 4:13; Heb. 4:15). Satan (a Hebrew name meaning accuser or adversary ) is the powerful evil spirit-being who opposes God, His purposes, and His people. One of his chief devices is to tempt persons, enticing them to sin, as he did our first parents. (In the language of the New Testament, the term translated tempt can also mean test. God tests us for our good and for our growth; Satan tempts us to turn us away from God.) Wild animals lived in the wilderness; they were non-human witnesses to Jesus ordeal. Angels are spirit beings, some of whom witnessed Jesus ordeal and were serving him, in ways Mark did not specify (see also Matt. 4:11). How do these verses inspire you to be confident that Jesus always has and always will triumph over temptation and the tempter? In what ways is Jesus temptation an example for us? 16 Explore the Bible Leader Guide

5 MARK AT A GLANCE Writer: John Mark, son of Mary, cousin of Barnabas Historical Setting: Tradition holds Mark wrote his Gospel from Rome. The content is based on the eyewitness of Peter. Literary Style: Mark s Gospel emphasizes actions and deeds. Immediately is a key word; Jesus is always on the move. Key Themes: The identity of Jesus; the kingdom of God; the suffering and death of Jesus; costly discipleship HEARD (MARK 1:14-15) VERSES How long was it from the end of Jesus temptation until he began His preaching ministry in Galilee? Mark didn t say. John the Baptist continued his preaching ministry for perhaps several months before he was arrested. Many Bible students conclude that the events recorded in John 1:29 4:42 happened during this time. Galilee was a small, out-of-the-way district that had never been prominent in Old Testament times. Yet this was the region Jesus knew the best because He had grown up there. He knew that the most important thing for the inhabitants was to hear the good news of God. The term good news is euangelion, traditionally translated gospel. The Greek verb translated proclaiming was not necessarily a religious term. It had to do with announcing information out loud, as a herald might deliver some message from a king. Here are the first words from Jesus as recorded by Mark. As such, they deserve careful attention. The time is fulfilled means that centuries of waiting were over. This term time refers not to chronological time but to a season or an appropriate time. Fulfilled can be understood as filled full. The kingdom of God refers to God s rule through His designated King, the Messiah. Because the Messiah had arrived and was on the move, His kingdom had come near. Persons were invited to follow the King and believe His message. The kingdom was no far-off dream. In Matthew 12:28, Jesus declared that the kingdom of God has come upon you. Repent and believe was the response Jesus asked for, in light of the reality of the kingdom. Because the kingdom had approached, persons were not to shrug it off. Action was called for. Repent means turning from; that is, confessing one s sins and desiring forgiveness. Believe implies turning to; that is, trusting in the truthfulness of the message. The good news is the content that is to be believed in relied on as absolutely true as the condition for salvation. (See 1 Cor. 15:1-7.) At the same time, Jesus Christ is the Person in whom our trust or faith is placed. (See John 3:16.) VERSES After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God: 15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! Session 1 : Calls 17

6 Have you considered that Jesus proclamation extends to all persons in all times? When did you first realize that Jesus was calling you personally to repent of your sins and believe in Him? FOLLOWED (MARK 1:16-20) VERSES As he passed alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, Simon s brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. 17 Follow me, Jesus told them, and I will make you fish for people. 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. VERSES The Sea of Galilee is an inland lake about fourteen miles long and six miles wide. A fishing industry flourished on the lake. It was called the Sea of Chinnereth in the Old Testament (Num. 34:11); in the Gospels it is also called the Lake Gennesaret and the Sea of Tiberias (Luke 5:1; John 21:1). Simon and Andrew had a fishing business on the lake. We know from other Gospel texts that they were the sons of Jonah and that they owned a fishing boat from which they cast their nets (Matt. 16:17; Luke 5:3-4; John 1:42). Jesus dubbed Simon Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek), both meaning Rock. This indicates the foundational role he was to fulfill as a leader of the disciples and of the early Christian movement. Decades later, Peter wrote the two epistles in the New Testament that bear his name. Further, he was likely the oral source for the Gospel of Mark. Jesus invitation, Follow me, can also be translated come behind Me. As far as we know, in the time of Jesus, neither well-known Jewish teachers (rabbis) nor secular teachers (such as Greek philosophers) actively recruited followers. Rather, whoever had the time and inclination was allowed to become a disciple of a teacher. Jesus, however, initiated the call to discipleship. This is parallel to His call to salvation. He extends the invitation for persons to repent and believe; persons must choose whether to respond. Jesus promise that He would teach them to fish for people is a powerful image for the role these men had in preaching and leading others to follow Jesus as well; that is, they would become evangelists. In fact, a fish became one of the earliest symbols for Christ. The Greek word for fish became an acronym (ichthys) for what early Christians believed about our Lord s identity: Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Savior. In the Old Testament, the image of fishing for people referred to sending people to condemnation (Jer. 16:16-18). For Jesus and His disciples, the goal was to release people from condemnation. Note that Mark was picturing Jesus as modeling what He was asking His followers to do. What other images for evangelism biblical or contemporary can you think of that are based on a vocation (for example, finding a lost sheep)? Who is called to fish for people today? Why do you say so? 18 Explore the Bible Leader Guide

7 It s never enough merely to hear the call of Jesus. Further, neutrality is impossible. One must decide to be either for Him or against Him. In the case of Simon and Andrew, they responded immediately. The verb translated followed can be used to describe literally following another human as a child learns to tag along behind a parent or older sibling or of a metaphorical following of another person, looking to them as an example or a teacher. Simon and Andrew enjoyed the privilege of being with Jesus while He was on earth in bodily form. Decades later, however, Simon Peter reminded the readers of his first epistle that a good part of the Christian life lies in following Jesus figuratively: For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Pet. 2:21). VERSES James and John were brothers who later became prominent as apostles and leaders in the early church. James became the first of the twelve apostles to die as a martyr (Acts 12:2). Many years later, John composed five inspired works in our New Testament: the Gospel of John, the three Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. Their father Zebedee is otherwise unknown. Their mother may have been named Salome (compare Matt. 27:56 with Mark 15:40). The parallel account in Luke 5:1-11 provides additional details to Mark s succinct phrase, putting their nets in order. This all happened in the context of Jesus teaching from Simon s boat and arranging for a huge catch of fish after a long night of catching nothing. This is why the four fishermen were busy tending their nets; further, the catch had stunned Simon into confessing, Go away from me, because I m a sinful man, Lord (Luke 5:8). The language of verse 20 suggests a certain level of prosperity in the lives of these hard-working fishermen. It was evidently a family business, for their father Zebedee was there in the boat with them. Further, they could afford hired men to help them with the business. Mark did not quote Jesus directly in His calling of James and John. Presumably, it was parallel to His invitation to Simon and Andrew, and later, of Levi or Matthew (Mark 2:14). The brothers had responded without hesitation. They had heard Jesus preaching and had just seen one of His miracles. They could not have known much about Jesus at this time. Yet they would grow in their understanding and ultimately become part of Jesus inner circle. At this moment, they were simply persuaded that Jesus was worth it, so they followed Him. And He was worth it. James willingly died for Jesus sake, and according to tradition John lived on to be the oldest surviving apostle. VERSES Going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat putting their nets in order. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. How would you explain to someone the meaning of discipleship? Session 1 : Calls 19

8 LEAD GROUP BIBLE STUDY FOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS) INTRODUCE: Prior to the session, write the word heroes on the board (or poster paper). Begin the session by asking the group to share their childhood heroes. As an alternate idea, you could wear a cape instead of recording the word heroes. DIRECT: Ask the people in the group to turn to a neighbor and consider at least three characteristics essential for a hero. After the brief conversations, allow time for the group to answer the following question based on the essential characteristic of heroes they discussed: Which of today s famous individuals could you point a child to as a worthy hero? Explain. (PSG, p. 10) TRANSITION: Today we begin a study of the Gospel of Mark where we re quickly introduced to someone worthy of our following. EXPLORE THE TEXT MINI-LECTURE: Using Understand the Context (PSG. p. 11), Pack Item 2 (Outline of Mark), and Pack Item 7 (Handout: Mark Time Line), provide an overview of the entire study of Mark. Be certain to highlight Mark s emphasis on action and the superiority of Jesus and how Mark validated Jesus as the Messiah. IDENTIFY: Locate Galilee, Nazareth, and the Jordan River on Pack Item 1 (Map: Places in Jesus Ministry) and Pack Item 4 (Poster: Sea of Galilee). Note the significance of these areas using the information under Verse 9 on page 15. DISPLAY: On a board, create a three-column chart with the labels Baptism, Temptation, and Calling over the columns to reference throughout the session. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 1:9-11, directing the group to listen for evidence of the affirmation of Jesus as the anticipated Messiah. REFERENCE: Return to the column labeled Baptism, and direct the group to share evidence they heard in the verses that affirm Jesus role as Messiah and His power to fulfill the task ahead of Him. Record responses on the chart. EXPLAIN: Read aloud verse 10, and share that Mark s entire Gospel revealed a sense of urgency as illustrated in verse 10. Share that the phrase translated as soon as is used more than forty times in Mark s Gospel. ASK: If a friend asked why you believe Jesus is God s Son, how would you respond? Why is it important to understand and accept His role as Son? (PSG, p. 13) WRITE: Record the word Affirmed above the Baptism column. READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 1:12-13, as the group listens for the rapid change of scenery. DISCUSS: Direct the group s attention to the second column of the chart and add information gleaned about Jesus temptation in the wilderness. Note once again the word immediately, 20 Explore the Bible Leader Guide

9 and discuss why Mark included the details provided in verse 13. ASK: How does knowing that Jesus faced temptation help you better understand His identity? (PSG, p. 14) What role did the Spirit play in these verses? WRITE: Record the word Tested above the Temptation column. READ: Call on someone to read aloud Mark 1:14. Explain that the reference to the imprisonment of John was primarily a way to identify that time as the beginning of Jesus earthly ministry. Continue by reading Mark 1:15, directing the group to listen for three basic points of Jesus message. DISCUSS: How would you describe Jesus message in three sentences or less? What sets His message apart from the messages presented by other religious leaders? (PSG, p. 15) READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 1:16-20, directing the group to reflect on the urgent request and urgent response revealed in these verses. REFERENCE: Return to the third column of the chart and record Jesus request and the response received in this column. Record the word Followed above the word Calling on the chart. ASK: What might Jesus ask a modern-day person to leave behind in order to follow Him? (PSG, p. 17) After discussion, ask: Did anyone share anything in the group today that impacted how you would respond to that question now? SUMMARIZE: Utilizing the information from the chart, review Mark 1:9-20. Read aloud as a group the words recorded at the top of the chart: Affirmed, Tested, and Followed. SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT) REFLECT: Direct the group to reread Mark 1:16-20 and reflect on these questions: What do the things a person holds most tightly reveal about what he or she trusts for security? What is the relationship between holding on tightly and faith? (PSG, p. 17) Call for volunteers to share. RESPOND: Instruct the group to discuss the third question set under In My Context (PSG, p. 18): Discuss as a group ways to encourage one another in following Jesus. How can you challenge each other to deepen your trust in Him? STATE: Jesus call to Peter, Andrew, James, and John required a response. Jesus call today to each of us requires a response. REFLECT: Challenge the group to examine their own hearts in light of today s study and determine one way they could respond to Jesus call on their lives today. STATE: We began our lesson by considering childhood heroes and heroes in today s world, but the only person worthy of our worship is the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. He is the One we need to be sharing with others today. PRAY: Lead the group in praying that any obstacles that are keeping people from complete obedience be overcome and that each person might be able to deepen his or her trust in Him and serve Him more faithfully. Session 1 : Calls 21

10 PRACTICE Early in the week contact group members to make them aware that the group will begin a new study of the Gospel of Mark during the next session and make sure they received a Personal Study Guide (PSG). Follow-up with individuals who have visited the group. Answer questions they have and offer to enroll them in your group. MORE IDEAS FOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS) As another option for focusing attention or transitioning to exploring the text, write the following on individual pieces of paper: ASAP, Stat, On the Double, and Now. Prior to the session distribute the pieces of paper to different people in the group, instructing them to read them when directed. These terms all indicate urgency and action that are evidenced throughout the Gospel of Mark. This idea provides a transition to the mini-lecture. EXPLORE THE TEXT To supplement the study of Mark 1:9-11, lead the group to examine John 14:15-26 for additional insight on the Trinity. To enhance the study of Mark 1:16-20, guide the group to compare the calling of the same disciples as recorded in Matthew 4:18-22 for similarities and differences. Consider dividing the group in half, with one half of the group looking for similarities and the other looking for differences. SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT) Direct the group to reflect on the memory verse for the week (Mark 1:17). Use Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verse Bookmark) to support working on the verse throughout the week. Encourage the group to place the bookmark in a visible place for a reminder that following Jesus is a daily choice. Lead the group to reflect on the following questions: What obstacles hold you back from genuinely repenting of things you know God doesn t want in your life? What steps can you take to eliminate those obstacles? (PSG. p. 18) SUGGESTED MUSIC IDEA To close the session, lead the group to listen to or read the lyrics for the song I Will Follow, by Chris Tomlin, focusing on the chorus. An alternate choice for music might be the chorus of the hymn Follow On, by William O. Cushing and Robert Lowry. 22 Explore the Bible Leader Guide