1. Mark was a _______from ______, who wrote his gospel in ______
Mark was a _______from ______, who wrote his gospel in ______. He probably wrote it in ______, shortly after the fire of Rome, when _____ started _________ the Christians. He might have known some of the ________ and travelled as a ____________ and interpreter with Peter and Paul.
Disciples Greek Rome Jerusalem persecuting Nero Jew AD missionary

2. Mark’s reasons for writing the Gospel
St Mark is represented in art as a lion.
The lion symbolizes the power of the Evangelist's word.
the wings symbolize the spiritual lifting up of the heart and mind,
the halo is the traditional Christian symbol of holiness.
The book he is holding, represents wisdom and the peace that comes from wisdom.
To understand reasons why a written gospel was needed
To evaluate on the importance of writing a gospel

3. Mark’s Gospel was written…
From faith, for faith…
For the Romans …(they misinformed about...)
For the Christians..

4. Mark wrote his gospel to…
Here are 6 reasons why Mark wrote his gospel. Match them up to the acronym.
Re-write the headings, and make notes from the textbook for each point.
**Which reasons do you think were the most important for Mark in writing his gospel ?
Mark wrote his gospel to…
Apostles & eyewitnesses were dying off p.21 S P R E A D
Preserve the truth about Jesus p.21
Spread & Explain the good news – explain by yourself
Reassure Romans – explain by yourself
Encourage persecuted Christians p.21
Discipleship how to be one p.19
(Second Coming delayed. P.20)

5. Mark wrote his gospel to…
Spread & Explain the good news of Jesus being the Son of God From faith, for faith. Explain the strange fact of a crucified Messiah.
Mark wrote his gospel to… S P R E A D
Preserve the truth about Jesus, in case false things start to be said about him (eg he was not really a human being, or only seemed to die)
Which reasons do you think were the most important for Mark in writing his gospel ? Explain why.
Which reasons have become the most important for us today? Explain why.
*What reasons might you read the gospel for?
Reassure Romans from their suspicions about Christians as enemies of the state & immoral
Encourage persecuted Christians, to follow Jesus, & that they will have their reward
Apostles & eyewitnesses were dying off – their teachings and stories needed to be written down, so they wouldn’t be lost. The Second Coming is not nigh!
Discipleship to show Christians how to be disciples & not give up, even if they deny Jesus

6. Test your partner S P R E A D

7. YES – explain several reasons why
The most important reason for Mark to write the gospel, was to encourage the persecuted Christians. Discuss. (AO2 6mks)
YES – explain several reasons why
NO – explain importance of other reasons for writing
Preserving the true teachings about Jesus was very important or true Christianity would be lost. The Second Coming –end of the world - is NOT nigh!
They were dying for their faith: they needed to if Jesus really was the Son of God
They needed encouragement that they would be rewarded
They needed encouragement that Jesus’ own 12 disciples found it hard to be loyal to him all the time
Apostles & eyewitnesses are dying off – the stories needed to get written down or they might get forgotten or changed
Romans needed to understand Christians are not dangerous & they should be allowed to practice their religion.
In pairs, write down arguments for and against this statement, using PEE reasons
In groups of 4, put together a model answer for this question
Pass your paper clockwise, and give marks out of 6 with comments on another groups work
So start recording things for future Christians

8. “Early Christians did not need a written gospel”. Discuss
“Early Christians did not need a written gospel”. Discuss. AO2 , 6mks “The most important reason for Mark to write the gospel, was to encourage the persecuted Christians". Discuss. (AO2 6mks)

9. Symbol of St Mark’s Gospel
St Mark is represented in art as a lion.
The lion symbolizes the power of the Evangelist's word.
the wings symbolize the spiritual lifting up of the heart and mind,
the halo is the traditional Christian symbol of holiness.
The book he is holding, represents wisdom and the peace that comes from wisdom.
Symbol of St Mark’s Gospel