1. Lesson 3: Getting to Know Mark
Instructional Strategies for Your Student
General: Students will learn that Mark was a Jewish boy who grew up in Jerusalem and knew Jesus. Mark was a part of the early church and Christians held secret prayer meetings at his mother’s house. Mark’s and his cousin Barnabus worked with Paul in spreading the gospel. Later Mark helped the apostle Peter, who preached to the Romans. Mark’s Gospel is written to the Romans, who cared about what Jesus did, not what he taught.
Classroom Ideas (use as appropriate for your class level):
Remind the students that each of the Gospel writers wrote to a different audience. Have them turn to the New Testament Book Hooks exercise and review the hooks for Matthew through Acts. A link to this resource is found in slide 33. An active Internet connection is required to use this teacher resource.
Review the timelines of the Life of Christ and The Early Church. Links to these resources are found in slide 33. An active Internet connection is required to use this teacher resource. Explain that Mark was a young boy who saw Jesus come to his home and who tagged along with the disciples at times. Then explain that after Jesus ascended to heaven and when Mark was grown, he was a leader in the early church.
Review the words Christians, apostle Paul, Barnabus, Peter, and miracles. Take turns reading the definitions from a Bible Dictionary.
Personal Application / Discussion Questions
Life Question: Have you ever tried to run away from something God wanted you to do?
Personal Assignment: Ask your mom or dad tonight if they can remember a time when they ran away from something. Maybe they ran away from home, or ran away from a responsibility or commitment they’d made.
Class Discussion: Talk about why people run away from things God wants them to do. Talk about why we’re afraid and the different ways we can handle our fears.
Small Group Discussion: Share with the others in your group about a time when you felt God wanted you to do something but you ran away and didn’t do it. Do you wish you’d done things differently. What could you have done to calm your fears?
Case study: Abbie’s mom asked her to spend some time with another girl in her neighborhood whose family had recently moved in. The girl didn’t have any friends, and Abbie’s mom wanted her to help the new girl get to know others. Abbie kept making excuses and didn’t spend any time with the new girl. She liked her own friends and thought she might lose them if she spent time with somebody new. How do you feel about what Abbie did? What would you have done?

2. Lesson 3: Getting To Know Mark - Acts 13:4-5,13; Acts 15:36-39
She who is in Babylon, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. (1 Peter 5:13)

3. Mark was a Jewish boy who grew up at an exciting time!

4. He lived in Jerusalem, and Jesus came to Mark's house.

5. Sometimes Mark tagged along with the disciples.

6. After Jesus went back to heaven, Mark was part of the first church.

7. Christians had secret prayer meetings at Mark's mother's house.

8. Mark's cousin, Barnabas, knew the apostle Paul.

9. They planned to sail to far-away lands to spread the gospel.

10. It sounded exciting!

11. Mark wanted to go, so they let Mark join them as their helper.

12. It was exciting!

13. Early in their mission, Mark decided not to continue on with them
Early in their mission, Mark decided not to continue on with them. He left Paul and Barnabas and sailed for home. Later, Mark wanted to join them again. Paul said no. He didn't want a helper who might leave them again.

14. Mark didn't give up doing God's work. He helped Barnabas
Mark didn't give up doing God's work. He helped Barnabas. Later he helped the apostle Peter. Mark's gospel is based on what he heard Peter preach. Peter preached mostly to the Romans. So, Mark's gospel was written to the Romans.

15. The Romans didn't care about prophecy.

16. All they cared about was who had the most power
All they cared about was who had the most power. So Mark focused on what Jesus did, not what he taught. Mark starts his gospel when Jesus began his ministry. It covers the last three years of his life.

17. That's when Jesus did miracles,

18. showed his power over nature,

19. healed the sick,

20. brought dead people back to life,

21. died, and rose again.

22. Mark focused on the action and the power.

23. There's a story in Mark's gospel not found anywhere else
There's a story in Mark's gospel not found anywhere else. It happened when Jesus was arrested.

24. Mark wrote, "Then everyone deserted [Jesus] and fled
Mark wrote, "Then everyone deserted [Jesus] and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind." That could have been Mark. Who else would have known?

25. Mark might have been a person who ran away, like he did when he was helping Paul and Barnabas. But even though he may have run away, he never stopped loving and serving Jesus.

26. Life Question: Have you ever tried to run away from something God wanted you to do?

27. Answer A

28. Answer C

29. Answer C

30. Answer B

31. Answer C

32. Answer C

33. Internet Resources (Teacher Reference)
New Testament Book Hooks referenced in slide #1. You must have an active Internet connection to access this resource. You must be in PowerPoint “slide show” mode to access online resources.
Bible Words (referenced in slide #1)
Timelines of the Life of Christ and The Early Church (referenced in slide #1)