Category: Lessons

Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah

• Lesson 4 for the week of October 19 to October 26

Relevant Verses: John 1; 3 Theme: Witnesses of the Messiah Leading Question: How comfortable are you with being a permanent bystander or witness for someone else? There came a man sent from God, whose name...

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The Backstory: The Prologue

• Lesson 3 for the week of October 12 to October 19

Relevant Verses: John 1:1-18 Theme: The Power of the Word Leading Question: What image does “the Word was God” convey for you? The prologue is the most profound statement about Jesus’ identity in the New...

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Signs of Divinity

• Lesson 2 for the week of October 5 to October 12

Relevant Verses: John 6:1–15, 26–36; 11 Theme: Signs of Divinity Leading Question: What persuades you about Jesus as a divine being? Nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus presented as more thoroughly human and more...

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Signs that Point the Way

• Lesson 1 for the week of September 28 to October 5

Relevant Verses: John 2:1–11; 4:46–54; 5:1– 5:1–47 Theme: Follow the Signs Leading Question: When was the last time you felt a subtle nudge to do something? There are signs everywhere, from the traffic signs that...

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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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