Seeing Jesus in the Gospel of MarkSample

GETTING SOME CONTEXT

Introduction to Mark:

As you read Mark, the “beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ,” this plan will put you in the crowds and among the disciples, learning to be a careful observer of the life, teachings, miracles, and events of Jesus. If you are ready to investigate Jesus, if you are suspicious that there is more to life than what we see, if you are not a perfect Christian, if you would like to have more faith - then keep reading! Mark speaks to both the ordinary and the extraordinary. As you read, look for these repeated themes and ask yourself these questions:

Son of God/ Son of Man - Who is Jesus?

Cosmic Conflict - Is there more to life than what I can see?

Discipleship and Failure - How do followers of Jesus mess up?

Ordinary Heroes - What does faith look like?

Bible Dictionary Spotlight: Gospel

Throughout this reading plan, once or twice a week, a term, a place, or a person will be highlighted to give you more information as you observe all that is happening in the book of Mark.

Today’s spotlight is on the Gospel.

Before this word was used to describe the first four books of the New Testament, it was a common Greek word (euangelion) that meant “good news.” Commonly used to describe military victories or news from the emperor, it was not a “religious” word in the ancient world. As Christ’s followers adopted the word, “Gospel” came to mean the entirety of Jesus Christ’s life, work, teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection - all of that being God’s plan of salvation for humankind. As you read Mark, consider how good the news of Christ is for you and the world.

Look Closely:

Scholars consider the first verse of Mark (1:1) to be the title of the entire book. What does this title reveal to readers about the contents of the book?

Pause to Pray: Jesus, I believe you want to teach me more about yourself as I read Mark’s gospel. Open my ears to hear your voice, my eyes to see your works, my mind to understand your teachings, and my heart to love you and love others as you do… Amen.