How to Use the Study Guide An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark Lesson 10: Hope for the Hopelessly Broken

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3 How to Use the Study Guide 4 An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark 5 Lesson 10: Hope for the Hopelessly Broken 6 Text: Mark 5 Key Verse(s): 5:21-34 Lesson 11: Hope for the Hopelessly Ordinary 8 Text: Mark 6:1-13 Key Verse(s): 6:7-13 Lesson 12: Hope for the Broken Hearted 10 Text: Mark 6:14-29 Key Verse(s): Parallel passage in Matthew 11:28-30 Lesson 13: Hope that conquers fear 12 Text: Mark 4:35-41; Mark 6:30-52 Key Verse(s): 6:50 Lesson 14: Hope for the Overly Religious 14 Text: Mark 7 Key Verse(s): 7:6-8 Lesson 15: Hope for the Stumbling Disciple 16 Text: Mark 8 Key Verse(s): 8:17-21 Lesson 16: Hope for the Doubter 18 Text: Mark 9:1-29 Key Verse(s): 9:14-29; John 1:43-49; John 9:1-28 Lesson 17: Hope for those fighting anxiety and depression 20 Text: Mark 9:1-29 Key Verse(s): Mark 9:27; Psalm 42; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 3

4 At Fellowship Church Pellissippi we aim to be disciples that make disciples. We do this by gathering together for worship and teaching, growing together in disciple-making groups and serving in the church and as the church in our community. Simply put, we Gather, we Grow and We Serve. The primary way we grow is together and in the Word. From the very beginning days of the New testament Church disciples would gather together to be encouraged, sharpened, corrected and taught by the Word of God. The Word itself is life-giving. (Hebrews 4:12-13) We can learn from the scripture in our private study and we should. However, we grow together when we bring those private spiritual moments in to Gospel-centered community. Like fitness, we can exercise alone, but everyone knows the benefits of exercising with someone else. You get pushed and challenged to new heights. You have accountability to show up and participate. These are just a couple of benefits of studying God s Word in community. This study guide is designed with this in mind. The Format Our Study of the Gospel of Mark will be broken down into 5 mini-series. Each mini-series will explore a particular theme and focus in the Gospel of Mark. Each lesson is based on the scripture passage taught during the Sunday worship gatherings. As a leader and a participant, the lessons will bring the most value when you ve attended the worship gathering, or listened to the podcast. Recommendations Each week review the Scripture passage for the lesson. Make notes or journal what the Spirit is revealing to you. Review the questions ahead of time, jotting down answers in advance. This preparation will make your gathering time more beneficial not just for you, but for your fellow group members. 4

5 In the Bigger Picture: The Gospel of Mark is the second of four Gospels. Each of these four Gospels share the same theme: The good news (gospel) about Jesus. This is one of the reasons that you will see familiar stories repeated in the other accounts of Matthew, Luke and John. Reading all of the Gospels gives us a complimentary picture of the life and mission of Jesus, using different perspectives and emphases to tell us one story. This means that while occasionally you may read something that seems to be contradictory, in reality what you are reading is a different flavor of the same substance. Mark, like his fellow Gospel writers, penned down this account under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Though Mark and the other Gospels are inspired, they are written from the author s own human viewpoint, personality, and for a particular audience. This accounts for an occasional variance in an events details. The Author: While no inherent claim of authorship is made in the book of Mark, we have considerable evidence that supports John Mark (his formal name, see Acts 12:12) as the author. Mark likely relied on the apostle Peter as a primary source for his Gospel account; we know that Mark and Peter shared a close bond (1 Pt 5:13) and that they worked closely together. He is also notably a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10). Mark s failure and restoration is a significant storyline in the New Testament narrative. Paul felt that he was too risky to take a second chance on, but not Barnabas. Barnabas took him on his missionary journey, and the results indicate that Mark was fully restored through Barnabas and Peter s mentorship. Paul even requested that Mark rejoin him in his ministry work (2 Tim 4:11). Date and Setting: Most scholars believe that Mark was written around 50 A.D. This is a significant date, considering that many of the people mentioned in Mark s work as witnesses of the life and ministry of Jesus would have still been living when Mark wrote the details. While Matthew was written primarily to a Jewish audience, Mark seems to be written first and foremost to Roman and Gentile believers. The minimal use of parables, use of Roman time, lack of genealogies, and the explanation of Jewish customs indicates that Mark s audience would have been Roman/Gentile. Another compelling reason why we believe Mark was specifically writing to Roman and Gentile readers is Mark s emphasis on the power of Jesus. Throughout Mark s Gospel, we see references to the power of Jesus made (i.e. Mk 5:30, 9:1, 13:26). Rome was a culture whose attentions were always fixed on gaining power, influence, and becoming dominant forces in the world. Mark showcases many miracles in his account, and he retells the events of Jesus s life with action-oriented details; this would have made for engaging and interesting reading among the Roman and Gentile crowds. Theme: Mark presents to us Jesus unparalleled in human history. His influence and power are on full display. What makes Mark unique is the deeply personal Jesus we see. There is a greater emphasis on Jesus s actions, often showing mercy and compassion that was extraordinarily counterculture in the times. 5

6 Mark 5 Key Verse(s): 5:21-34 Hope for the Hopelessly Broken REVIEW: It s important to think about these stories in light of the overall context of The Gospel of Mark. Jesus is revealing Himself to be a King. A divine King. He has created quite a stir by claiming to have this special authority and power. He has told a series of parables that illustrate it. Over the next few chapters, Jesus begins to demonstrate it in significant ways. At the end of chapter 4 we witness the stormcontrolling power of Jesus. In chapter 5, we see a different kind of power. To whom does Jesus leverage His power for in Mark 5? What kind of King is Jesus showing Himself to be? REFLECTION: List the miracles Jesus does in this passage. In a group study of this passage, pick one person to summarize each one. Read Mark 5:17. What is the response of the people who saw this miracle? Until recently, everyone wanted Jesus around. Now, people are asking Him to leave. How does this play out in our own day and time? Mark uses the word daughter to describe both the young girl who was brought up in a stable home with believing parents (v. 23) and the unclean woman who was an outcast from society (v. 34). What does this teach you about who will be welcome in Jesus s kingdom? In this passage, Mark contrasts fear and faith. How have you personally experienced fear and faith in your life? This passage shows us that Jesus responds to and rewards bold (but not necessarily perfect) faith. Where in your life do you need to ask Jesus boldly for grace and healing? Think about people with power and privilege today how do they often leverage those gifts? How does Jesus show us we should leverage them? RESPOND: This passage also shows us that, through our faith in Jesus, each one of us has the status of a son or daughter of the King. It also shows us how those who are a part of Christ s kingdom should care for others. We all have different degrees of influence, power and authority. How are you leveraging yours for those with little or none? 6

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8 Mark 6:1-13 Key Verse(s): 6:7-13 Hope for the Hopelessly Ordinary REVIEW: Revisit Mark 3: These are the 12 men Jesus appointed to be with Him, for training, mentoring and eventually deploying for ministry service. These men were by and large very ordinary. Their professions were mostly ordinary: fisherman, a tax collector a political/religious zealot. Their humanness was consistently on display. They had doubts, worries, and fears. They also had hopes and dreams. They struggled with pride, envy and jealousy. They had no remarkable connections. They weren t political or business elites. They were utterly ordinary, and yet, Jesus chooses them to bring extraordinary change to the world. Jesus s choice of disciples is fascinating. If you were going to select twelve people to change the world, what kind of people would you select? What do you know about 1 st century fishermen? What do you make of Jesus s choice here? REFLECTION: Mark includes a significant detail in verse 1. Jesus is visiting his hometown of Nazareth. Read Mark 6:3. What does this verse tell us about the historical nature of the gospels? What does this verse tell us about the reception Jesus received when he came back to his hometown? Read Mark 5:5-6. Jesus limited healing in Nazareth is described as no mighty work. What do you make of this statement and description of what is happening? The people who should have known Jesus best, didn t believe he was the Messiah. Exposure to the truth didn t necessarily equal transformation in their lives. How does this relate to us today in the Bible-belt? Read Mark 6:7-13. Jesus gives his ordinary disciples an extraordinary task. What do you make of some of the details in Jesus commissioning of the disciples into disciple-making ministry? How does verse 11 relate to verses 1-7? RESPOND: Do you feel that there are limitations on your ability to minister and serve Jesus today? What are those limitations? How can you take what Jesus does with the 12 disciples and apply it to your life? Jesus disciples made an extraordinary impact because of the power and authority Jesus gave them, not because of their own qualifications. Faithful ministry to what God has called us to is the goal. Think of ordinary ways you can serve Jesus faithfully, and let God make something extraordinary out of it. 8

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10 Mark 6:14-29 Key Verse(s): Parallel passage in Matthew 11:28-30 Hope for the Broken Hearted REVIEW: Jesus had really high words of praise for John the Baptist in Matthew 11:11: Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Not only was John the Baptist a profound prophetic voice for the Messiah he was a friend of many of Jesus followers. His arrest and death was a devastating blow to the disciples. They were heartbroken. Jesus responded to the disciples loss with compassion and empathy. When Jesus s friend Lazarus died, and Mary and Martha were at a total loss, Jesus wept. (John 11:35) How does Jesus compassion and empathy encourage you? REFLECTION: Read Mark 6: The political and religious climate of the day was corrupt and antagonistic towards truth. Did that alter John the Baptist or Jesus s teaching? What conclusions can we draw from this? Read Mark 6:20. Why would one of the most powerful men alive fear John the Baptist? The details of John the Baptist s death are pretty brutal. How do you imagine the disciple s emotions when they got word? Read Matthew 11:1-3, John 11:21 and John 11:32. What do you see in these questions from John the Baptist, Martha, and Mary that you can relate to? Read Matthew 11:4-5, John 11:23-27 and John 11: How does Jesus respond to these questions? What can we learn about God from each response? In our lives we will experience heartbreaking days. Our emotions can get the best of us. Read Matthew 11: How does the context (Jon the Baptist s execution) emphasize this teaching? RESPOND: Are you heavy laden? Are you in need of rest? Take Christ s promise of spiritual peace and rest to heart. He cares for you and loves you. Write down a specific worry or burden that you are going to trust to your Heavenly Father today. 10

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12 Mark 4:35-41; Mark 6:30-52 Key Verse(s): 6:50 Hope that Conquers Fear REVIEW: These passages describe some of the more famous moments in Jesus earthly ministry. Asleep in the middle of a storm. Feeding the 5,000. Walking on water. What can we learn from these events? Why is Jesus displaying his power in such ways? Consider the two instances involving the disciple s fear of storms. These were experienced fisherman who were very familiar with the Sea of Gallilee. These seaworthy fishermen were accustomed to storms, so this one must have been fierce for them to fear for their lives. Read Mark 4: How did the disciples react to this storm? Read Mark 6: How did the disciple react to the predicament of the crowd? REFLECTION: Are you ever annoyed when it looks like God is sleeping and ignoring the situation that has "swamped" you and threatens to drown you? Why do you think the disciples wake Jesus up in the Mark 4 passage? The disciples had no control over their circumstances in these instances. Does being out of control ever lead to fear in your life? Did Jesus ask the disciples to do something supernatural with the crowd or bread in Mark 6:37-42? What does he expect of them? What happens? In Mark 4 and Mark 6 what are the disciples most afraid of? (Hint: It makes you wet). What did Jesus walk on in Mark 6:48? What can we learn from this? Read Mark 6:50. Why does Jesus say the disciples can take heart and be without fear? In what areas of your life are you tempted to respond with fear rather than faith? RESPOND: As we pray this week, consider how you will react when you are next tempted with those fears. Let's ask Jesus to give us His rest of faith, and let's worship Him who commands all manner of winds and waves. 12

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14 Mark 7 Key Verse(s): 7:6-8 Hope for the Overly Religious REVIEW: The tension between Jesus and the religious establishment (Pharisees and Scribes) is sparked once again. Mark spends more time explaining why in this chapter as opposed to the last chapter. The issue it hand is not a Biblical or law issue, but tradition. The ritual of ceremonial handwashing had become the heart of spiritual piety in this instance. Jesus gives a sharp rebuke. We ve seen Jesus be gentle and compassionate with a demon-possessed man, a woman with societal scorn, and complete strangers. Read Mark 7:1-3. How would you describe his tone with the Pharisees and scribes here? REFLECTION: Mark quotes Isaiah 29:13 in verses 6 & 7. Read the full text from the quote in Isaiah 29: Do you see a similarity between what Isaiah is describing and what Jesus is experiencing with the religious leaders and systems of the day? How so? Discuss what it might look like to honor God with your lips, but not with your heart? How is it possible to worship in vain? Read Mark 7:15. What does Jesus mean here? Consider Luke 6:45 and Mark 7:21-23 in your answer. What are your thoughts about the things Jesus includes in his list of heart defilement? Is there anything that surprises you? The first seven are descriptions of sinful actions. The last six, sinful attitudes. What point might Jesus be trying to make here? Read Mark 7:26. Why do you think this detail is included? What do you make of Jesus decision to leave the Pharisees and Scribes to visit a town and a Gentile woman (of Canaanite decent)? This Gentile woman acknowledges that Jesus s first call was to preach to the house of Israel, but that a time would come when Gentiles would also be recipients of the Gospel. Her attitude is one of humility. How does Jesus respond to her humility? RESPOND: Read Psalm 139: Evaluate your heart. Evaluate your motivations. In your spiritual disciplines, are you trying to get something from God, or are you seeking to be with God? Is your worship rooted in affection or duty? Pursue God with your whole heart this week. 14

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16 Mark 8 Key Verse(s): 8:17-21 Hope for the Stumbling Disciple REVIEW: The disciple s journey with Jesus feels like a roller-coaster. There were incredible highs, and incredulous lows. Mark 8 is a microcosm of a disciple s journey. Peter has a shining moment and shameful moment consecutively. He confesses that Jesus is the Messiah, and in the next moment finds himself rebuking the Messiah. Jesus says to Peter, Get behind me, Satan! Ouch. Can you think of anything worse that Jesus could call you? REFLECTION: Mark 8:1-10 depicts Jesus miraculously feeding an enormous crowd for the second time. Compare the disciples response to Jesus plan to feed the crowd in Mark 8:4 with their response in Mark 6: How is it different? How is it the same? Mark 8: What frustrates Jesus in this passage? How spiritually blind does one have to be, to not consider all of Jesus s miraculous works as a visible sign? Have you ever doubted God despite overwhelming evidence of His character and faithfulness? Read Mark 8: Who is the spiritually blind group here? How can the disciples miss what is happening? Jesus lists three things that they lack. What are they? Where have you been spiritually blind in your life? Mark 8:31 is a defining moment in this Gospel. A distinct shift is made. Before this event, the story revolved around Jesus s teaching about the kingdom of God and showing that he has the power and authority to be the Christ. After this event, Mark shows that Jesus s ministry changes. Other than healing two blind men (8:22 26; 10:46 52) and casting out an unclean spirit (9:14 29), Jesus performs no more miracles as he moves toward Jerusalem. His teaching ceases to be primarily directed toward crowds and becomes almost exclusively targeted at the disciples. After Peter s confession of Jesus s identity as the Christ, Jesus s teaching primarily focuses on what the messianic mission is and what it means for those who follow him. In verse 31 the word must takes control of the sentence. What does verse 31 tell us about Jesus s purpose for coming to earth? What does it mean for us to follow a servant king? RESPOND: Look back at Mark 8: Break into groups of 2 4 and take turns making each verse into a prayer to God. 16

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18 Mark 9 Key Verse(s): 9:14-29; John 1:43-49; John 9:1-28 Hope for the Doubter REVIEW: Many people wrestle with doubt and questions on their journey to faith. Sometimes it is just hard to believe. Mark 9 provides a pathway to faith for those with reasonable doubt. What are some of the common obstacles that keep people from accepting Christianity? REFLECTION: Read John 1: Nathanael was skeptical that the Messiah would come from Nazareth, as we would be skeptical if someone from an obscure and insignificant city claimed to have found the cure to cancer. And then he met Jesus. How does a relationship with God help put your objections into perspective? Read Mark 9:18. The man s doubts are partially rooted in his experience with Jesus s followers. Have you or someone you know struggled to believe the claims of Jesus because of the actions or words of other Christians? This is reasonable emotionally. Is it reasonable logically? Often we expect to come to God on our terms: God bless me, protect me, and don t punish me. Have you seen this in your own life? When God came to us, he did so on his terms. Read Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:5-6. What did God expect of Abram in response to these promises? Read Matthew 18:1-4. What would it look like for you to humble yourself before God like a child? What are some things in life that you can't explain but yet you can't deny (i.e. how a cell phone works, how a 747 jet flies, etc.)? Why is it we believe in some things without understanding everything about them, but with other things we feel like we need a complete explanation? RESPOND: Reflect on this verse of Scripture this week: He replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25) 18

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20 Mark 9:1-29 Key Verse(s): Mark 9:27; Psalm 42; 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 Hope for those fighting anxiety and depression REVIEW: Life can feel overwhelming at times. Kids, bills, dating, healthy issues, stress, family and a number of other things can bring anxiety, worry, discouragement and even depression our way. It can feel like looking for a light switch in a dark room. What insight from this week s sermon and study stuck out for you? (What was helpful, insightful, or difficult to grasp?) REFLECTION: Few things keep us from getting help with anxiety and depression like shame. Brené Brown, author and researcher on shame says that Shame is the most powerful, master emotion it corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change. Do you agree? How has shame played a part in your life and interactions with others? Brené Brown goes on to say that, If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive. How can we cultivate 1) empathy and 2) understanding? Read Mark 9:27. How does this interaction of Jesus instruct us to care for people who are hurting? Read Psalm 42:1-3. Can you recount a time when you were desperate to feel God s presence and purpose in your life like the psalmist? If you feel comfortable, share that experience with the group. Mark records a number of incidents where people were struggling with some form of mental illness. (caused by spiritual, physical or psychological events) Why is the inclusion of these accounts in the life of Jesus so important? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7. Paul indicates that he saw his thorn in the flesh as coming from his Heavenly Father. Does this idea, that your pain might have passed through God s hand give comfort like it did Paul or cause more pain? Why? Read Mark 9:24. Do you resonate with the father s cry? How so? Read Mark 9:29. What role does pray play in fighting anxiety and depression? What changes do you need to make in this area of your life? RESPOND: IF you re suffering with anxiety, despair etc. find 1 or 2 people you trust and share your pain with them. IF you re not suffering look for opportunities to love (not council) those who are. Bear their burden with them. 20

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