The Gospel of Mark Bible Study

I publish my Bible Studies on my blog to so that I can find them for use later. I also publish them to be used by others. The Bible Studies I create are very contextual to my particular congregation and setting. I invite anyone to use this Bible Study for Church, Small Group, or Personal use. I just ask that if you choose to use it, you leave a comment letting me know that you are using it and how it is working (or not working) for you. Let me know of any improvements that could be made.  Again, keep in mind that when I create a Study, I create it for a specific group of people, so adapt as needed. 

The Gospel of Mark Bible Study

Background Information:

            The Gospel can never be fully written.  The Gospel is not a book, but it is Jesus Christ.  As far as written Gospels go, scholars believe the Gospel of Mark was the first written Gospel.  At that time in history, being able to read was not normal, so stories and news were passed orally.  Though the story of Jesus was first written in Mark, the Gospel existed long before that.  Mark was probably written around the year 70 AD.

            Mark is one of the 3 Synoptic Gospels.  The Synoptic Gospels are Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  They are called Synoptic Gospels because most of the information is the same in all 3 (or 2 out of the 3 depending on the story being told).  Often the wording is almost “word for word.”  John is not a Synoptic Gospel.  John’s wording and emphasis is much different from the other 3. 

            Scholars say that Mark was written first because most if its information is in Luke and Matthew.  Scholars also say that Luke and Matthew got some of their information from a source that hasn’t been discovered.  They call that source “Q” (from “quelle”- a German word meaning “source).  Whether or not “Q” existed is unknown, but it would explain information in Luke and Matthew that is not in Mark.

            No one really knows who wrote Mark.  Names were not given to the Gospels until the 2^nd Century (101-200 AD).  Traditionally, the story says that Peter’s interpreter (John Mark) wrote Mark.  This may be the case, but it’s difficult, and probably impossible to prove now. 

            It’s also important to remember that just like every book in the Bible, each Gospel was written for a particular reason.  First, the reason was to give the story of Jesus Christ and to make believers.  But, each book was originally written to a specific group of people.

            Scholars believe that Mark was written to a community of people who were going through persecution and suffering.  As we read, we will see evidence of that.  Luke was probably written to a non-Jewish group, and Matthew was probably written for a “lower class” of Roman Citizens (Remember, Rome had control of the whole “known world” at that time, so this doesn’t mean that the people lived in Rome). 

            There are many ways to read the Bible.  We can read it for the story.  We can read it for a deeper meaning.  We can read it to see how it speaks to our situation.  As we do this study, we will see how Mark speaks to us today.  It is important, however, to remember that Mark did not write this Gospel for us.  In fact, Mark probably didn’t think the Gospel would last as long as it has.  It was written to a specific group of people for a specific purpose. 

            The beauty of the Bible is that even though the books were written to specific groups, they speak to all generations.

Schedule:

Week 1:  Introduction and questions.  Chapter 16 (Read together)

            Notice there are 2 Endings—why is that?

            Why would we start at the end?

            What does the resurrection mean for you?

            Why were the appearances added in the Longer Ending?  How do they speak                                     to us today?

            How does Jesus still speak to us today?  Personal examples you are willing to                                     share?

Week 2:  Read Chapters 1 and 2 and think about the following questions:

            Why didn’t Mark include a birth narrative (Christmas Story)?

            Why is John the Baptist so important?

            Why does Jesus tell the leper not to tell anyone who healed him?

            Why does Jesus do so many healings?

           

            How does the calling of disciples speak to us today?  What does it mean to be                                     “fishers of people?”

            How have you had an “unclean spirit” (vs. 21-34) and how has Jesus healed                                     you?  What do you think Mark meant by “unclean spirit?”

            Look at Chapter 2 vs. 17.  What does that mean for you? For the church?

            What is the importance of Sabbath to you?

Week 3:  Read Chapters 3 and 4

            Why did Jesus choose 12 apostles?  Why not another number?

            Why does Jesus sound so harsh in 3:31-35?

            What is a parable?  Why are they important?

            Why does Mark discuss Jesus stopping a storm?  What is the deeper                                                 meaning?

            3:13-19- Picture yourself as one of the apostles.  What would it take for Jesus                                     to convince you to be one?

            3:20-30-  Think about “a house divided against itself…will not be able to                                     stand.”  Do you see that in today’s world? In your life?  In the Church?

            3:31-35-  How has being a “family in Christ” affected you?  What more (or                                     less) would you like to see?

            4:30-32-  What does it mean that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard                                     seed?  How do you see it today?

            4:35-41-  Does Jesus stop storms today?  If so, how? If not, why not? 

Week 4: Read Chapters 5 and 6

            What is the Demoniac?  How might we describe him if he were alive today?

            What does the restoration of life to Jarius’ Daughter and healing the woman                                     with hemorrhages say about Jesus?  Does it apply today?

            Why does Jesus call the older lady “Daughter” and the young girl “Little Girl?” What would Jesus call you?

            Why would Jesus’ hometown reject him?  How does this happen today? (to                                     Jesus and people of this community)?

            If Jesus fed 5000 one day, what does that say about Jesus in today’s world?

            Does Jesus’ walking on water hold significance for you?  Why/Why not?

Week 5:  Read Chapter 9:1-13, 9:33-37, 10:17-31, 10:32-34

            Picture the Transfiguration.  What does it look like? Why is it important?  If                                     you were there, how would you have reacted?

            What does it mean to be the Greatest in the Kingdom?  Can we name people                                    who are/will be greatest?

            Why does Jesus tell this Rich Man to sell all he owns and give it to the poor?                                      He didn’t say that to everyone.  How does this speak to you and your situation?

            If you were with Jesus when he foretold his death, how would you have                                     reacted? Go back and read 8:31-38.  Was Jesus too harsh on Peter? Why didn’t Peter understand?  Do we understand?

Week 6: Read Chapter 11:1-11, 11:15-19, 12:18-40, 12:41-44

            Describe how the Triumphal Entry must have felt and looked.

            Would Jesus act the same way if he came to modern churches as he did in the                                     Temple?  What would he cleanse (if anything)?

            In 12:18-40, what do we learn of Jesus’ identity?

            How are we like/unlike the widow?

Week 7: Read Chapter 13

            Describe the significance of the Temple being destroyed.  Is he just talking                                     about the Jerusalem Temple?

            How do you feel about persecution?

            Did Jesus’ Death/Resurrection bring on the Kingdom of God?  Why would he                                     Return?

Week 8: Read Chapters 14-16

            Look at the details.  Why are they significant?  Which ones are most significant?