Gospel of Mark: Overview

Gospel of Mark:  Kingdom Invasion

Week#1: Overview

[VIDEO INTRODUCTION]

Assignment

This week, your assignment is to read the entire Gospel of Mark in one sitting (or no more than two or three).  In Jesus’ first recorded discourse, he says:  “The time has come.  The kingdom of God is near.  Repent and believe the good news.”  The kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ message, and yet today it is a phrase we seldom use and many of us would probably have a hard time defining the term.

• How would you define the kingdom of God?  Kingdoms generally require a king and a realm (a place or people to rule over).  How does this apply to the kingdom of God?

• Do you think this kingdom is present, here and now, or something in the future?  Is it both?  Do you have any thoughts?

If you have a hard time answering these first two questions, it’s OK.  You are not alone.  The rest of our study questions will generally be easier than trying to define a sweeping term like “the kingdom of God.” 

As you read the Gospel of Mark in large chunks this week:

-         Try to see how the kingdom of God is described and played out.

-         Look for other major themes.

-         Try to catch the flow of the story and record impressions you have.

• What stood out to you from reading the entire Gospel of Mark this week?

Blogging

The following questions will be posted on-line for comments:

• Do you have any idea what the kingdom of God is, or at least, some of its characteristics.  Share your thoughts here . . . .

• What stood out to you from reading the entire Gospel of Mark this week?