God Loves Freely

• Lesson 1 for the week of December 28 to January 4

Relevant Verses: Exodus 33; Hosea 14; Matthew 22 Theme: God Loves Freely Leading Question: Given all that we know about the human race and about ourselves, is it “reasonable” to expect that God should love...

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The Risen Lord

• Lesson 13 for the week of September 21 to September 28

Opening Question If Jesus rose from the dead as the Gospel of Mark says, what impact does that have on us today? Introduction The good news of the resurrection is recounted briefly in Mark, but...

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Tried and Crucified

• Lesson 12 for the week of September 14 to September 21

Opening Question Is the cross an appropriate symbol for Christianity? Introduction Passion literature requires suffering, but not necessarily death. Jesus both suffers, and then dies in the Gospel account of Mark. The scenes are difficult...

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Taken and Tried

• Lesson 11 for the week of September 7 to September 14

Opening Question Why do we sometimes distrust the court system to act justly? Introduction Chapter 14 of Mark begins with Jewish leaders plotting to take Jesus out, and ends with Him in handcuffs and facing...

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The Last Days

• Lesson 10 for the week of August 31 to September 7

Opening Question If you could know your whole future, would you do so? Introduction The future always captures our imagination. We worry about our own future and legacy, about our world and its sustainability, about...

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Jerusalem Controversies

• Lesson 9 for the week of August 24 to August 31

Opening Question Would you rather live with no controversies or with them? Introduction Dr. Shepherd notes how this section adds controversies at the close of Jesus’ ministry that parallel the beginning of his ministry. The...

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Teaching Disciples: Part 2

• Lesson 8 for the week of August 17 to August 24

Opening Question If you could request any gift from God, what might it be? Introduction As this lesson completes chapter 10, we also complete the three major chapters on discipleship in Mark. We learn more...

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Teaching Disciples: Part 1

• Lesson 7 for the week of August 10 to August 17

Opening Question What makes someone a good student? Introduction Many commentators will divide Mark into two sections: the first half ends at 8:30 or perhaps 8:38, and the 2nd half ends at 16:8 (or 20)....

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Inside Out

• Lesson 6 for the week of August 3 to August 10

Opening Question Does Jesus care what we eat? Introduction One of the more challenging passages in Mark’s gospel is chapter 7’s discussion about unclean hands and foods. But perhaps we ask the wrong questions when...

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Miracles Around the Lake

• Lesson 5 for the week of July 27 to August 3

Opening Question Who is more in need of immediate care: a person with a cold, or someone suffering a heart stroke? Introduction Several “boat scenes” in Mark’s gospel reveal misunderstandings of the disciples and give...

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Parables

• Lesson 4 for the week of July 20 to July 27

Opening Question Why do people enjoy riddles? Introduction This week’s study examines the Parables in Mark 4. In many ways, this chapter is parallel to Matthew 13. Jesus was not unlike the Rabbis of His...

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Controversies

• Lesson 3 for the week of July 13 to July 20

Opening Question Have you ever been involved in something contentious or scandalous? Introduction This week’s lesson covers the next stories in Mark chapters 2 and 3. The stories are again punctuated with the word “immediately”...

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A Day in the Ministry of Jesus

• Lesson 2 for the week of July 6 to July 13

Opening Question What is the most spontaneous thing you can remember doing? Introduction Our lesson this week takes on Mark 1:16-45. These verses cover a range of topics including the call of the first disciples,...

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The Beginning of the Gospel

• Lesson 1 for the week of June 29 to July 6

Opening Question: What do people mean when they say, “it’s the Gospel truth”? Introduction We begin our study this quarter of the Biblical “gospel” according to Mark, and the first couple days focus on John...

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