1. Unit 10: The Context of the Gospels

2. Section 7: The Gospel According to Mark

3. The Gospel According to Mark The Gospels lay the foundation for understanding the message and the mission of Jesus Each of the four Gospels contains a similar but unique view of Jesus’ life and teachings –Each Gospel contains the distinctive teachings, preachings, understandings, and beliefs about Jesus held by a specific early Christian community Stories of faith intended to inspire and strengthen the faith of other beleivers

4. The Gospel According to Mark The author of the Gospel of Mark –Lion with wings The Four Evangelists –Rudolf Koch (1876-1934)

5. The Gospel According to Mark The Context of the Gospels –The Life of Jesus The political, cultural, social, economic, and religious context of 1 st Century Palestine –The Early Disciples of Jesus Written as a result of the Resurrection –The Gospel According to Mark Written for Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians in Rome who were experiencing persecution and death because of their belief and faith in Jesus Approximately around 65-70 AD

6. The Gospel According to Mark Mark’s Gospel: Two Fundamental Questions Who is this Jesus called the Christ? –Compassionate healer and miracle worker for suffering people –The human Messiah who accepted suffering as the cost that comes with doing God’s will What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? –Initially, fearful and hard-hearted people who desired power, fame, and wealth –People who believe that Jesus was the Messiah and understand his mission –People who place their faith and total trust in Jesus/God

7. The Gospel According to Mark Introduction – 1: 1 The Preparation for Jesus’ Public Ministry – 1: 2- 13 Jesus’ Early Public Ministry, mostly to the Jewish people of Galilee – 1: 14 – 8: 26 Jesus’ Revelations and Public Ministry while Journeying to Jerusalem – 8: 27 – 10: 52 Jesus’ Public Ministry in Jerusalem – 11: 1 – 13: 37 Jesus’ Final Days in Jerusalem – 14: 1 – 15: 47 The Resurrection of Jesus – 16: 1-20

8. The Gospel According to Mark 1.What stories from the Gospel According to Mark were new or surprising for you to read? Provide at least two different examples with proper Biblical citation. 2.What stories from the Gospel According to Mark did you expect to read but were missing from the account? Provide at least two different examples. 3.What were the most confusing or weirdest parts of the Gospel According to Mark? Provide at least two different examples with proper Biblical citation. 4.What was your favorite story from the Gospel According to Mark? Provide at least one example with proper Biblical citation.

9. The Gospel According to Mark 5.With whom does Jesus associate with and spend most of his time? Provide at least three different examples. 6.How were the people and culture of Jesus’ time similar to the people and culture of the modern world? Provide at least one example. 7.How were the people and culture of Jesus’ time different from the people and culture of the modern world? Provide at least one example.

10. The Gospel According to Mark 8.What are the dominant emotions and feelings expressed by Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark? Provide at least three different examples. 9.How does the Gospel According to Mark express and portray Jesus’ purpose and mission that “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1: 15)? Provide at least two different examples with proper Biblical citation. 10.The Gospel According to Mark was probably written for the Christian community in Rome who were experiencing persecution and death because of their belief and faith in Jesus. How does the Gospel According to Mark provide Christians with encouragement and consolation during difficult times? Provide at least two different examples with proper Biblical citation.

11. The Gospel According to Mark