MARK THESE WOR DS Part 1 Mark 1:1-3:21
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. These are the very first words in the book of Mark, which serve both as an epic introduction to the book, but also to this journey you re about to undertake! In order to thoroughly journey through the book of Mark you will need to engage with it in three different ways: 1. Listen This is the Sunday Sermon, where you will find space to make notes, as well as to further reflect on the Sermon. If you happen to miss a Sunday you can always download the sermon recording from our website (www.ebcsa.org.za/resources), or order the CD. 2. Pray One of the greatest ways of growing in your relationship with God is simply learning to read & pray scripture in the context of your daily life. In order to help you develop this aspect of your relationship with God we ve put together a devotional guide through a selection of passages in Mark. The outline given in this book is for your own personal reflection, but we ve also put together a video devotional for each of these passages. In these videos our various teachers will act as tour guides, highlighting interesting parts of the passage and helping you apply it to your life in prayer. To access the weekly videos check our youtube channel or the website video portal. 3. Share God has designed it that we grow better together, by sharing our experiences and Christian journey with each other. To this end we have put together a small-group guide, which has questions on selected passages to be explored in a small group. We hope that this is in an EBC Homecell, where we encourage everyone to join these vibrant small communities of faith! However these can also be used as family devotionals, or perhaps as an outreach or bible study in the workplace. There is a detailed leader s guide available as well, which can be emailed to you should you want to start a study group. The only way you will be exposed to every verse in the book of Mark is to engage in all three of these ways! If you would like help with either of these paths, please don t hesitate to contact us!
Week 1: 19-25 Feb Mark 1:1-13
Listen Sunday 19 Feb Mark 1:1-8 Message Notes How did God speak to you through this passage? What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for?
Pray Date: Mark 1:9-11 Today we arrive at the scene of the Baptism of Jesus. It s clearly a special occasion, as we see all three members of the trinity in the same place at the same time! W1:19-25 Feb Bite: Read Mark 1:9-11 Chew What words or phrases stand out to you? What do you think is the significance of Jesus being baptised? Why do you think the Spirit is described as a dove? Taste Do you think we have this same affirmation of love from the Father? Read Romans 5:8 for further reflection. How does it affect your confidence knowing God loves you despite your performance? Digest Take a moment in prayer to just sit and receive the affirmation of the father.
Share Date: Mark 1:12-13 Mark dives straight into the Temptation and Baptism of Jesus in Chapter 1, unlike the other gospels who only cover it chapter 3 or 4. In verse 12, we join Jesus right after His baptism by John the Baptist. Mark only devotes 2 verses to the temptation of Jesus. Take a few moments to compare this with the other gospel accounts in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13. In the first few words of verse 12, Mark tells us that Jesus was compelled by the Spirit to go into the wilderness. The other gospels don t use this strong language. Why do you think that is? Jesus experience in the wilderness was a spiritual necessity. He had to confront satan and take the first steps toward overthrowing his evil kingdom. What do you think was the importance of this experience in the life and mission of Jesus? We are told in the gospels of Matthew and Luke that Jesus also went without food for the 40 days in the wilderness. However, there is not mention of that in Mark. Mark s emphasis is on Jesus being tempted by satan himself. Why do think Mark emphasises this? In Summary: what does the story of the temptation of Jesus show us? 1. It is no sin to be tempted do you believe this to be true? 2. Where to go when we are tempted what was Jesus response to temptation? 3. Jesus can sympathise with us when we are tempted what are your thoughts on this? Do you believe that Jesus experienced temptation in the same way we do?
Notes es W1:19-25 Feb
Week 2: 26 Feb - 4 Mar Mark 1:14-28
Pray Date: Mark 1:14-15 Jesus begins his ministry with a very clear message of good news God s kingdom is at hand. Bite: Read Mark 1:14-15 Chew What is meant by God s kingdom? Read Mark 4:30-32 and John 3:3 for further reflection. Why would you need to respond to God s kingdom with repentance? Why is this message termed the gospel or good news of God? W2: 26 Feb - 4 Mar Taste How does God s rule impact your life? Do you believe that God has good news for you? Digest Take a moment in prayer to allow God to change the way you think about his sovereignty over all aspects of your life. Respond with a prayer of repentance and belief.
Share Date: Mark 1:16-20 As we jump forward just a few verses from last week, we hear Mark s account of Jesus calling the first disciples: Come and follow me, and I will teach you how to fish for people. We see here that evangelism was the primary purpose for which Jesus called the apostles. It remains the main purpose for His people today. Do you think this calling is evident in the local church? In your own life? In these 5 verses, we see Jesus calling four of His disciples. He calls them from ordinary, everyday walks of life. Do you think this surprised the people of the day? Are we surprised today when Jesus calls people from ordinary walks of life to do His work? Notice the language used in verses 18-20 and the sense immediacy conveyed: at once they left their nets, without delay he called them. Entering the kingdom of God, becoming a disciple of Jesus, takes a decisive act of radical, exclusive commitment to Jesus as King. Is this sense of radical commitment present in your own life? The final act we see in these verses is James and John leaving their fathers business, leaving their place of employment, their livelihood. Do you think Jesus calls all of us to leave our jobs to follow Him? In A Theology for Work, the writer states the following: for these disciples to follow Jesus, they have to demonstrate a willingness to allow their identity, status, and worth to primarily be determined in relation to Him. Consider that thought as you finish up your time looking at these verses. Maybe Jesus isn t calling you to leave behind your way of life. However, He is certainly calling you to leave behind finding your worth, identity, and status in anything other that Him!
Notes es W2: 26 Feb - 4 Mar
Listen Sunday 26 Feb Mark 1:21-28 Message Notes How did God speak to you through this passage? What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for?
Week 3: 5-11 Mar Mark 1:29-40
Pray Date: Mark 1:29-34 One of the things this passage demonstrates is Jesus servant heart! We read earlier about Jesus teaching in the Synagogue on the day of the Sabbath, which means that when everyone was resting - Jesus was serving! In the passage for today we also see him go on to minister to others and heal the sick. Bite: Read Mark 1:29-34 Chew What words or phrases stand out to you? What do you think must have been going through Peter s mother in laws mind immediately after she was healed? Taste This passages shows the Kingdom of God advancing in a very real way. How do you feel the need for his kingdom to advance in your life? What do you feel might be hindering you from serving God? Digest Who in your direct circle of family or friends might need prayer or release from bondage? Pray for them now.
Listen Sunday 5 March Mark 1:35-39 Message Notes W3: 5-11 Mar How did God speak to you through this passage? What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for?
Share Date: Mark 1:40-45 When we find Jesus in verse 40, He has just spent time in solitary prayer. As we read the passage for today, keep in mind the importance of solitary prayer in order to be equipped for public ministry. In verse 40, we meet the man with leprosy. He approaches Jesus and says, If you are willing, you can make me clean. The man knew that Jesus could heal him, His only question was if He was willing. In your own life, do you find it easier to believe in God s power or in His mercy? In verse 41, Jesus responds, but He responds in an interesting way: He touches the man. As we will see later in Mark, this is completely unnecessary for healing. By touching the man with leprosy, Jesus also opened himself up to the charge of being ceremonially unclean. Why do you think Jesus acted in this way and took such a risk? It is clear that Jesus boldly places love and compassion over regulation and rituals. Reflect on that thought in the context of your own life. Right after the healing, Jesus sends the man on His way with a warning. Read v. 43 and 44 and consider why you think Jesus would have said this? Jesus knew that the man s offering would be a public affirmation of the cleansing. He also knew that it would be a testimony to the priests. However, Jesus also knew that if the man told the people what had happened, they would surround Him. Jesus didn t want miracles to be the emphasis of His work. He knew that this could divert attention away from His message. Throughout this passage, we see that Jesus is not only interested in the physical. He is way more interested in emotional and spiritual healing. As we finish, let s reflect on that thought. In our own life and in the lives of those around us, are we more concerned about physical healing or emotional and spiritual?
Notes es W3: 5-11 Mar
Week 4: 12-18 March Mark 2:1-17
Listen Sunday 12 March Mark 2:1-12 Message Notes How did God speak to you through this passage? W4: 12-18 Mar What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for?
Pray Date: Mark 2:13-14 Today we see Jesus calling his first disciple in the book of Mark, a taxcollector named Levi, who wasn t very popular with the Jews! Bite: Read Mark 2:13-14 Chew What words or phrases stand out to you? It seemed to only take two words to convince Levi: Follow me. What do you think persuaded Levi to leave everything and follow Jesus? Taste Reflect on the kind of people Jesus calls, by considering what an outcast Levi was. Do you realise that he is calling you to follow him? Levi s response was immediate. Where are you delaying in your response to God? Digest Take some time in prayer to imagine yourself sitting by the roadside, and Jesus calling you. Pray that God would give you the courage to decisively follow him.
Share Date: Mark 2:15-17 We pick up with Jesus in verse 15, just after He has called Levi to be His disciple. Take a few moments to read the passage, and the same account in Luke 5:27-32. Compare the two accounts. Jesus has just called a tax collector to be one of His disciples, who were hated by the Jews. Soon after we find Him reclining at the table with Levi and his friends, tax collectors and sinners. These were seen as the most vile and worthless people in society. Take a moment and think about what would be the equivalent in today s society. Rabbinic regulations of the day actually prohibited dining with such social outcasts. And yet, we see Jesus doing just that. In verse 16, we see the Pharisees ask Jesus disciples why He is eating with such scum. They imply the need for perfection to seek God. Is this implied in Christianity today? Do we feel like there are some people who are excluded from seeking God because of their lifestyle? In verse 17, Jesus makes a bold statement that goes straight to the heart of the issue. Jesus came to earth to meet our greatest need the need for a Saviour. The self-righteous are incapable of recognising their need for salvation. Jesus associated with the lowest members of society because they were the ones who recognised their need for Him. W4: 12-18 Mar The object of Jesus call is the one who recognises he is a sinner and turns from his sin. The only pre-requisite for meeting Jesus therefore is the admission that you are not good, and that you need a Saviour. As we finish, let s reflect on that thought. Are you trying to heal yourself? Or are you coming to Jesus, admitting that you are not good, and asking Him to make you new?
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Week 5: 19-25 March Mark 2:18-3:6
Listen Sunday 19 March Mark 2:18-22 Message Notes How did God speak to you through this passage? What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for?
Share Date: Mark 2:23-28 As we have seen already in Mark, Jesus doesn t stick to the status quo, and this week is no different. In verse 23, we find Jesus and His disciples walking through grain fields, breaking off heads of grain to eat. Under Mosaic Law, travellers who didn t take enough food were permitted to pick enough grain to satisfy their hunger. In verse 24, the Pharisees arrive on the scene and ask why they are breaking the Sabbath law. According to Jewish tradition, harvesting was forbidden on the Sabbath. In verse 25, Jesus responds with a story about David found in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. Take a few minutes to read the account. Compare the two perceived times the law was broken. We see in these 2 different passages that human need, and compassion, trumps regulations. How have we become hardened to human need, even in the Church? In verse 27, Jesus reminds us of the reason for the Sabbath. Jewish tradition had multiplied the requirements and restrictions for keeping the Sabbath so much that the burden had become intolerable. The Sabbath had become more of a burden than a blessing. Do you ever feel like this is true in today s culture? Let s turn to Exodus 20:8-11. Take a few moments and look at the passage closely. What do you think the God-given purpose of the Sabbath is? The Sabbath day is only a signpost pointing to the true and deep rest you receive in Jesus when you believe in Him. Tim Keller, in his study on Mark, points to another purpose for rest: When we rest from our work by trusting in the finished work of Christ, we can truly be liberated to give or our time and heart to be a sign of the coming Kingdom and the (eternal) Sabbath rest. What does this say about some of the purposes for rest? W5: 19-25 Mar
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Pray Date: Mark 3:1-6 The tension in Mark is starting to increase. Today we see Jesus third confrontation with the religious leaders, after he has compassion and heals someone! Bite: Read Mark 3:1-6 Chew What words or phrases stand out to you? Consider the two words Mark uses to describe Jesus response to the religious leaders: anger and grieved. Why do you think he was angry? And why was he sad? Taste Think about some areas of your life where you may have become externally religous, but internally hard-hearted? Digest Pray for God to soften your heart towards others, where religious enthusiasm doesn t come at the cost of harming others. If you find yourself identifying with the man who s hand was healed, then stretch out your hand and pray for healing! W5: 19-25 Mar
Week 6: 26 Mar - 1 Apr Mark 3:7-21
Share Date: Mark 3:7-12 The crowds following Jesus continue to grow as we watch His ministry unfold. In verses 7 and 8, we see the crowd following Jesus grow. People are coming from far and wide to see and hear Jesus. Jesus public ministry is becoming a mass movement, in spite of the opposition from the ruling elite. Why do you think the movement is growing? What are these crowds motivated by? In the final two verses of this passage, we see evil spirits acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God. These evil spirits recognised who Jesus was, but did not believe in Him. Jesus responds by telling the demons not to reveal who He was. Why do you think this is? Perhaps Jesus desired for His own teaching and actions to proclaim who He was, not the impure words of demons. What does this show you about the character of Christ? As we near the end of our portion of the Mark series, it s a good time to evaluate our own lives. What are you motivated by in your following of Jesus? Are you more motivated by what you get out of it or by just being close to Jesus himself? W6: 26 Mar - 1 Apr
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Listen Sunday 26 March Mark 3:13-19 Message Notes How did God speak to you through this passage? What can you implement in your life from this passage this week? What are you going to pray for? W6: 26 Mar - 1 Apr
Pray Date: Mark 3:20-21 While Jesus popularity with the religious leaders is going down, his popularity with the crowds is still increasing! So much so that Jesus and the disciples hardly have time to rest. Bite: Read Mark 3:20-21 Chew What words or phrases stand out to you? Why do you think Jesus decided to go home? What does this passage indicate about the pressure Jesus was under? Taste Even Jesus felt the need to go home and return to his family. Do you have a family member you need to visit or call? Jesus identifies with relentless pressure! How do you need to experience a release from pressure? Digest Spend some time praying for your family If you re feeling under pressure then present these anxieties to Christ in prayer, who understands, and will grant you peace (Philippians 4:7) W6: 26 Mar - 1 Apr