In Week 9, we begin our second gospel track, the gospel of Mark, which will also lead us to 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.  For this week, we will cover the first 13 chapters of Mark.  

Mark 1-13 presents the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, emphasizing His authority, mission, and preparation for His ultimate sacrifice. The Gospel begins with John the Baptist preparing the way, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy and introducing Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus calls His disciples, demonstrates His divine authority through miracles, and proclaims the Kingdom of God. He teaches in parables, revealing truths to His followers while confounding those who reject Him. Throughout, Jesus emphasizes repentance and faith as responses to God’s grace.

As you read, take note of the following:

• Christ’s sovereign power over creation, sin, and death, seen in His calming storms, casting out demons, and forgiving sins. 

• God's call to faithful obedience through Christ's teaching on the cost of discipleship.

• Jesus foretells His return, urging vigilance and trust in God's redemptive plan.

Let's enter into our rhythm of LEARN, READ, INTERACT.

From How to Read the Bible through the Jesus Lens, Michael Williams makes these points about Mark:

Phrase: Suffering Servant
Theme: Jesus is the suffering Son of Man.
Christ-focus: God became flesh in Christ to suffer for our sakes (Acts 26:22-23).
Implications: We should be ready to suffer as consequence of our faith in Jesus Christ and our service to him (Philippians 1:29).
Questions: Do hard times cause you to question your faith?  How does suffering fit with your understanding of salvation and service?

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