Mark 1 & 2

Mark 1:1–13 “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately…”

When we carefully read this passage of scripture let’s identify several things that Mark believes qualifies Jesus to be the savior of his people. (Francis Chan-”Gospel of Mark” Bible Study Guide ‘FC’)

Prophets expected Him

John prepared the way and expected Him

God Confirmed Him

Jesus came through temptation a champion

Is this enough to convince you? What else would Mark need to include in the rest of his book to convince you that Jesus is the Savior? (FC)

Who was John the Baptist? Why do you think he is important to this story?

Jesus’s cousin

He has spent time teaching about repentance and expectation. He has assembled a following and crowd.

People are tuned into what he is saying about one who will come greater than Him.

He’s setting the stage for Jesus...

Mark 1:14–20 “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”

Does anything stand out to you in this section we just read?

What was Jesus’ message? (Verse 15)

What do you think Kingdom of God means?

Jews believed the Messiah would come with militaristic power and conquer the world.

How does Jesus proclaim this Kingdom to his listeners?

“Repent and Believe in the Good News!”

How does that apply to our lives today?

How about the disciples being called by Jesus, anything stick out?

Remember how John had a following and was preparing the way for Jesus. It’s hard to imagine yourself in the exact situation but do you think you would have been able to walk away from everything and just go and follow Jesus?

What would you stand to lose if Jesus were to approached by Jesus and asked to leave with Him to do ministry? (FC)

Would you be able to go?

Mark 1:21–34

Silently read this to yourselves and as you do pick out the ways that Mark shows that Jesus is special, that he has authority. <have students give insight>

What kind of authority does Jesus have?

Spiritual Authority - Demons obey

Physical Authority - Healing

Teaching Authority - Understanding of the scriptures

So what? What does this mean to you and me today? How does knowing that Jesus has this authority matter now?

Mark 1:35-45 (Overview - Quick)

Jesus goes out and spends time in prayer and then departs to preach, heal and cast out demons all over Galilee.

40-45 tells the story of a man who was a leper. It says that Jesus was moved with Pity in some translations or “Moved with Compassion” in other translations. It shows Jesus’s human emotions.

It also talks about how Jesus told the man to keep it to himself and instead he told everyone he could about it. this made Jesus’ popularity grow to where no matter where he went there were masses of people.

Mark 2

Mark 2:1–12 “And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may…”

Perspective

The Crowd

What do you think the crowd was thinking?

The Friends

Who were these friends? What do you think there thought process was?

The lame man

“Son, your sins are forgiven.” Do you think this is what he wanted to hear?

Take a moment and think… if you could have Jesus fix anything in your life, what would it be? (FC)

The Pharasees

Let’s try to understand the scribes problem. What’s going on here?

Only God has the ability to forgive sins.

How does Jesus respond to their questions?

How Big of a Deal is your SIN? (FC)

Think back on what you would have wanted Jesus to fix in your life if he was willing to fix anything.

Where would your one thing rank compared to the sin that separates you from God?

Jesus is challenging the whole system that the Jews know as their religion. In the rest of this chapter we will see this over and over.

Mark 2:13-28

QUESTIONS FROM THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

13-17 - Why do you dine with Sinners? - TRANSFORMATION

Matthew - Tax Collector - Writer of the first Gospel in your bible.

What does Jesus mean when he says, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Let’s read 1 Timothy 1:15 and see how it relates to this answer.

1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Saul would have thought himself as one of the Pharisees, righteous and healthy.

How did Paul, after meeting Jesus fell about himself? - TRANSFORMATION

18-22 - Why do your disciples not fast? - TRANSFORMATION

Talking about John the Baptist disciples and Jesus disciples. They fast his do not. How does Jesus’ response answer anything at all?

Jesus is declaring that something new has come. It can’t be contained by these old thought processes and religion. Jesus is bringing a new idea that needs to be placed in new transformed hearts. Remember the example of Saul to Paul before.

Jesus is proclaiming salvation. Johns message of repent for the Kingdom of God is near is standing right in front of them all. He’s standing right in front of you right now. He wants to transform you. He wants to make you new. God doesn’t just mend your heart… he gives you a brand new one.- TRANSFORMATION

Quick side note, we see here that Jesus already has grasp on his whole mission while here on earth.

23-28 - Why do your disciples break the Sabbath? - TRANSFORMATION

Someone tell me what the issue is here?

Why is eating grain unlawful? What is the Sabbath?

Tell the Story of David and his men - 1 Samuel 21:1-6

So, what is Jesus getting at?

The sabbath was made for man to rest and restore himself for life and to connect with and worship God. -TRANSFORMATION

The Pharisees made the sabbath burdensome for everyone by making them follow rules.

Conclusion (FC)

What is Mark trying to tell us about Jesus in these first two chapters?

What does Mark tell us Jesus has Authority over?

Jesus has Authority over Sickness, relationships, religious orders, the law, and sin.

What is the focus of Jesus ministry?

People or being religiously correct?

Who benefits from what Jesus says and teaches? Who loses out?

What do Jesus’s words tell you about how God treats his people?

Closing idea: How do you treat your relationship with Jesus? First, do you have a relationship with God? Have you allowed Jesus to transform your hear into a new heart. If you desire that we can help you out tonight. Please talk with a leader.

If you are trying to follow Jesus, do you find yourself trying to follow the rules or do you find yourself searching your heart and in purity and devotion running toward God.

I ask you what do you think Jesus desires?