The Gospel of Mark

Chapter 4

The Gospel of Mark

1. Author (Acts 12:25?)John Mark???Likely didn’t know Jesus during his ministry

Jewish background

2. AudienceGentile ChristiansSuffering persecution for their faith

A. Background

3. DateLikely between 65-70 C.E.

4. FrameworkGeographical

Jordan River Galilee JerusalemJesus is always on the move (“Gospel on the Go”)

5. SymbolWinged lion

A. Background (continued)

6. PurposeEncourage persecuted Christians to stay faithful

7. ThemeUndergo suffering before eternal reward (difficulty of discipleship)

8. Image of JesusTeacher with great authoritySuffering Son of Man

A. Background (continued)

9. 2 Key Questions1. Who is this person?

Read the following passages and record the various answers to this question.3:21-22, 8:27-29, 10:17, 14:61, 15:26, 15:39

“Messianic Secret” – Jesus instructed those who knew he was the messiah NOT to tell anyone.He was not going to be the type of messiah they expected.

2. Will you follow Jesus?

A. Background (continued)

1. Answers the question of Jesus’ identity Jesus himself IS the Good News Christ/Messiah, Son of God Gives the readers an advantage over the characters

2. Baptism & Temptation (1:9-13)What’s different from Matthew & Luke?

B. Prologue (1:1-13)

1. Authority“author” = originator/creatorJesus offers new perspectives

2. StudentsDisciple = learner; follower of JesusJesus called the disciples

“backwards” for his timeDisciples left everything behind to

follow Jesus

C. Jesus the Authoritative Teacher

3. Conflicts/ControversiesRead the passage assigned to your

row and answer the following questions:With whom does Jesus have a conflict?

What is the conflict about?How is the conflict resolved?

Row A 2:1-12Row B 2:13-17Row C 2:18-20Row D 2:23-28Row E 3:1-6

C. Jesus the Authoritative Teacher (continued)

4. ParablesSource of encouragement for believersThere may be struggle now, but in God’s own mysterious way, the Kingdom will win out.How does the parable in 4:26-29 convey this message? (What everyday image(s) does it use?)

C. Jesus the Authoritative Teacher (continued)

1. Pattern of Miracle AccountsIntroductionDisplay of FaithJesus RespondsResultReaction Read 1:21-28 and identify each of the

5 parts by writing the verse numbers in your notes

D. Jesus the Healer & Miracle Worker

2. The Kingdom of GodJesus’ miracles are intimately related

to his proclamation of the KoG.

Miracles show that the power of God has broken into human history in a unique wayPower over: nature, evil, sickness, death

Miracles show that salvation is taking place right now through Jesus

D. Jesus the Healer & Miracle Worker (continued)

3. Faith3 different connections between faith &

miracles:1. Faith of the person enables the miracle

Example:2. Miracle increases the faith of the person

Example:3. Lack of faith results in no miracle

Example: Read the following passages and match them

with the type of connection they demonstrate 5:1-20 5:25-34 6:1-6

D. Jesus the Healer & Miracle Worker (continued)

* Mark presents the most vivid portrait

of the human Jesus*Read each of the listed verses, & record in your notes the human characteristic or emotion attributed to Jesus. 4:13 6:34 10:14 10:21 13:32

E. Jesus the Compassionate Human Being

See back of Mark worksheet for detailed info.

Discipleship is an important idea in Mark (ch. 1)

Jesus calls ordinary people to be his disciples

Discipleship isn’t easy; must be willing to leave things behind

Can’t let anything get in the way of being a disciple (example: wealth)

Jesus’ disciples are “blind”; they don’t “get it”

Discipleship includes a willingness to suffer

F. Discipleship

Jesus is the model of discipleshipFlip through Mark’s Gospel and list

THREE specific examples of Jesus himself living out discipleship

Jesus’ obedience to God causes suffering but leads to eternal reward.

Jesus’ example gives strength and hope to his followers

F. Discipleship (continued)

Re-read Mark 10:17-31 and record your own answers to the following questions:How does the passage make you feel?Does Jesus mean what he says?Can we be disciples if we don’t give up everything? How?

How would your life be different if you lived out the meaning of this passage?

F. Discipleship (continued)

Personal Discipleship ReflectionHow important is discipleship to you?

List priorities that come before/after discipleship

What characteristics do you possess that would make you a good disciple?

What gets in the way of your discipleship? What might you have to give up?

When might you be “ashamed” to be a disciple?

How can you live as a servant to others?

F. Discipleship (continued)

Written Reflection: Write two paragraphs about people who live out the meaning of discipleship. The first paragraph should be

about a well-known person. The second paragraph should be

about someone you know personally.

Both paragraphs should make specific connections to our notes.

F. Discipleship (continued)

See the chart worksheet for information

* Key point: Jesus’ teaching & actions upset those with authority

G. Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem

1. Definition – The life, Passion, Death, and Resurrection of JesusSuffering service results in new

(eternal) life

Reveals God’s love and salvation

Commemorated during Holy Week

Initiated into this mystery in Baptism

Made present in the Eucharist

H. The Paschal Mystery

2.Why did the authorities see Jesus as a threat to be eliminated? Accused of blasphemy

Example:Accused of breaking Jewish Law

Example:Taught new ideas/perspectives

Example:Associated with sinners/outcasts

Example:

H. The Paschal Mystery (continued)

2.Why did the authorities see Jesus as a threat to be eliminated? (continued)Jesus’ unique attitude toward the

TempleJesus’ “cleansing” of the Temple showed him claiming special authority over it

Jesus implied that he was the new, restored Temple

H. The Paschal Mystery (continued)

Temple JesusForgiveness of SinPresence of God

3. The Passion NarrativesOldest stories about JesusThe climax of Mark’s Gospel4 Gospels agree on the essentials, each

presents the story in a unique wayMark emphasizes that everyone abandoned JesusExamples: 14:33 & 40, 14:43, 14:50-52, 14:66-68

See the WORKSHEET for detailed info.

H. The Paschal Mystery (continued)

Re-read Mark 10:17-31 and record your own answers to the following questions:How does the passage make you feel?Does Jesus mean what he says?Can we be disciples if we don’t give up everything? How?

How would your life be different if you lived out the meaning of this passage?

Discipleship