Come and See

MARK 1–9D I S C O V E RSAMPLE

MARK 1–9D I S C O V E R

Come and See

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We thank Brent and Diane Averill, Judy Merritt, Libna Sierra, and Betty Wieland, who contributed to the creation of this study. Material also came from the 1994 study written by Neva Evenhouse and the 2008 study written by Edi Bajema.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Maps: Matthew P. Faber

Discover Your Bible series. Discover Mark — Book One: The Beginning of the Gospel (Study Guide), © 2018 by Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407. All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. For information or questions about use of copyrighted material please con-tact Permissions, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407; phone: 1-800-333-8300; fax: 616-726-1164; e-mail: permissions@faithaliveresources.org.

Printed in the United States of America.

We welcome your comments. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us at editors@faithaliveresources.org.

ISBN 978-1-59255-899-5

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ContentsMap: Judea in Jesus’ Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Map: Jerusalem in Jesus’ Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

How to Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

New Testament Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Introduction to the Gospel of Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Lesson 1

The One More Powerful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lesson 2

The Amazing Jesus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Lesson 3

Followers and Foes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Lesson 4

Friends and Family. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Lesson 5

The Master Teacher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Lesson 6

A Powerful yet Gentle Touch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Lesson 7

Problems for Prophets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Lesson 8

Rules for the Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Lesson 9

The Need for Bread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Lesson 10

Jesus’ Glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

An Invitation and Prayer of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Evaluation

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How to StudyThe questions in this study booklet will help you “do it yourself” and discover together what the Bible says.

Questions are the key to Bible discovery. Through questions you search for the writers’ thoughts and ideas. The questions in this study guide are designed to help you in your quest for answers. You can and should ask your own questions too. The Bible comes alive with meaning for many people as they uncover the exciting truths it contains. Our hope and prayer is that this guide will help the Bible come alive for you.

The questions in this study are designed to be used with the New Inter-national Version of the Bible, but other translations can also be used.

Step 1.

Read through each Bible passage several times. Allow the ideas to sink in. Think about the meaning of the passage.

Step 2.

Answer the questions in the “What does it say?” section of the study guide lesson, drawing your answers from each passage. Write answers in your own words. If you use Bible study aids such as commentaries, Bible handbooks, or Internet sites, do so only after completing your own personal study. Answering the questions before the group meets enables you to remember what you have discovered and to prepare for the group conversation.

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Step 3.

Fill in the “Conversation” boxes with your questions and thoughts. Include questions that you would like to discuss with the group, topics that you would like to learn more about, and ideas from the passage that have made an impact on you. For example, in the “Conversation” boxes, you might include answers to questions like these:

• What is this passage saying to me?

• How does it challenge me? Comfort me?

• Is there a promise I can claim?

Step 4.

Have fun talking with others about what you have discovered!

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

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Glossary Abba: The Aramaic term for Father. Jesus uses it as a term of endear-

ment for his heavenly Father.

Abomination of Desolation: A description given in Daniel 9:27 to in-dicate that the temple would be desecrated. This happened when the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem.

Abraham: The father of the Hebrews, the people of Israel. He is called the “friend of God” in Genesis.

apostle: Literally a messenger; someone who is sent out to preach the gospel.

baptism: Baptism with water, as performed by John the Baptist, is an outward sign of repentance and is a physical sign of God’s renewed covenant. Often described as “dying and rising with Christ,” Chris-tian baptism symbolizes cleansing, renewal, and adoption by God. In most churches, baptism is done either by sprinkling or by immersion in water.

Beelzebul: “Lord of Heaven” in Greek, this refers to the prince of demons: Satan. This is a play on words (a near homonym) from the Philistine god Ekron who was called “Lord of the Flies” (Baal’Zebul). The Pharisees mockingly referred to Satan this way.

blaspheme: To misuse God’s name or to speak about God in an irreverent way.

Capernaum: A fishing village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent a significant part of his ministry. It was also the central village for the homes of Jesus’ disciples Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Matthew.

centurion: A Roman officer responsible for 100 soldiers.

Caesarea Philippi: The home of Herod Philippi. It is also the location of a temple built to Caesar Augustus where he was worshiped as a god.

chief priests: Chief priests are chosen by certain ruling families and would meet with the council (Sanhedrin) to discuss important matters.

covenant: An agreement between two parties, such as the covenant that God made with Abraham in Genesis 17. Obedience to God’s covenant leads to his blessing; disobedience leads to his curse.

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Mark 1:21-45

The Amazing Jesus

Getting Started

The last lesson ended with Jesus calling two pairs of brothers who were fishermen to follow him and “fish” for people. This lesson will cover the start of Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry. John the Baptist said the one who follows him will be “more powerful” than he is. The crowds who meet Jesus will soon discover what John meant. You may find it helpful to consult the map at the front of your book. Look up the location where Jesus does ministry.

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What Does the Bible Say?

1. Mark 1:21-22

a. What does Jesus do in Capernaum?

b. What amazes people about Jesus’ teaching?

2. Mark 1:23-28

Note: The Bible teaches that there is a spiri-tual world that includes both angels and im-pure (or evil) spirits. Very little is said about demon possession in the Bible except in the gospels, which record Jesus’ dealings with impure spirits. Many commentators indicate that this increased activity demonstrated Satan’s opposition to Jesus’ ministry.

My thoughts about . . .

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a. Who disrupts Jesus’ teaching? What is the disrupter concerned about?

b. How does Jesus show his authority over impure spirits?

c. What is the result of Jesus’ casting out the impure spirit?

3. Mark 1:29-31

What act of kindness shows Jesus’ power after he left the synagogue?

4. Mark 1:32-34

What happens at sundown? (Notice this is the end of the Jewish Sabbath day.) What does this tell you about the people? About Jesus?

Let’s talk about . . .

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5. Mark 1:35-39

a. What does Jesus do first thing in the morning? With whom is he talking in this solitary place?

b. Why would Jesus feel this need to be with God when the crowds are growing?

c. What can we learn from Jesus’ example?

d. Why do Simon Peter and his companions go looking for Jesus?

e. How might Jesus’ response differ from what his followers expect?

For conversation . . .

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6. Mark 1:40-45

Note: Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s dis-ease, is serious and contagious. Today it can be treated with antibiotics. In ancient Israel, people with various skin diseases often were thought to have leprosy and were excluded from Jewish society. They were required to keep people away from them by wearing torn clothing, covering their upper lip, and call-ing out “unclean.” No one could touch them as they walked from place to place. It caused people great psychological as well as physical pain to suffer with an illness and be isolated from society.

a. Describe the leper’s encounter with Jesus in Galilee.

b. How does Jesus respond? What does this say about Jesus?

c. What actions are required of the man in order to re-enter society?

d. What strong warning does Jesus give the man? How does his response affect Jesus’ ministry?

I wonder about . . .

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Taking It Home

a. Who is touched by Jesus’ ministry?

b. In what ways does Jesus still minister to us today?

For Further Study

Ephesians 6:10-12

2 Peter 2:4

Job 1

James 2:19

1 Corinthians 9:5

Revelation 20

Leviticus 14:1-32

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An InvitationListen now to what God is saying to you.

You may be aware of things in your life that keep you from coming near to God. You may have thought of God as someone who is unsympathetic, angry, and punishing. You may feel as if you don’t know how to pray or how to come near to God.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross to save us from our sins. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you’ve done in the past, or what your heritage is. God has been watching over you and caring for you, drawing you closer. “You also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).

Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It’s as simple as A-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and that you need God’s forgiveness.

• Believe that God loves you and that Jesus has already paid the price for your sins.

• Commit your life to God in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive your sins, nurture you as his child, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.

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Prayer of CommitmentHere is a prayer of commitment recognizing Jesus Christ as Savior. If you long to be in a loving relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer. If you have already committed your life to Jesus, use this prayer for renewal and praise.

Dear God, I come to you simply and honestly to confess that I have sinned, that sin is a part of who I am. And yet I know that you listen to sinners who are truthful before you. So, I come with empty hands and heart, asking for forgiveness.

I confess that only through faith in Jesus Christ can I come to you. I confess my need for a Savior, and I thank you, Jesus, for dying on the cross to pay the price for my sins. Father, I ask that you forgive my sins and count me as righteous for Jesus’ sake. Remove the guilt that accompanies my sin and bring me into your presence.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to pray, and teach me to live by your Word. Faithful God, help me to serve you faithfully. Make me more like Jesus each day and help me to share with others the good news of your great salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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BibliographyCole, R.A. The Gospel According to Mark. Grand Rapids, Mich.:

Eerdmans, 1976.

English, Donald. The Message of Mark. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Garland, David E. The Mark Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1996.

Hurtado, Larry W. New International Biblical Commentary: Mark. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1989.

Lane, William L. The Gospel According to Mark. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1973.

Witherington, Ben, III. The Gospel of Mark. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2001.

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D I S C O V E R Y O U R B I B L E S E R I E SBible Studies for Small Groups

MARK 1–9Mark is one of the four gospel accounts in the New Testament and is considered by many to be the earliest account of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Discover Mark is a revised study that includes the entire gospel of Mark in a two-part series. Themes include how Jesus cares for people and how we can follow his example. This is Part One of the Mark study, covering Mark 1–9; which centers on Jesus’ teaching and healing ministry.

The Discover Your Bible series inspires readers to discover together what the Bible says and means. Participants dive into the text using questions that spark meaningful conversation and personalized application. Every lesson is designed to be a framework that guides groups on a unique and transformative journey. Discover more at DiscoverYourBible.org.

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