MARK’S GOSPEL Series

 

This year we are concentrating our Bible studies on Sunday morning on the Gospel of Mark. This Bible

Reading Guide is designed to help us come prepared each Sunday having read the text for Sunday’s

message during the week. I suggest you read the text each day leading up to Sunday.

There is great value in reading slowly and repeatedly throughout the week. Reading the same passage all

week will lead you to insights and discoveries in the text you might never find by reading longer sections

just once. Take your time. Let the Word soak into your mind and heart.

You may want to use a notebook to jot notes about what you are discovering in the text each day.

You may also want to begin each time you read the Word with a prayer asking for God’s help to hear and

understand his Word as you read it. Then you may want to end your time in the Word with a prayer that God

will keep his Word in your heart and help you to obey and live by all that you have read.

At 16 chapters (666 verses), Mark’s is the shortest of the four Gospels. It is also the most concise and fastestpaced

of the Gospels. As you read Mark’s version of the life of Jesus you almost get the feeling of running to

keep up with Jesus. This Gospel clearly shows Jesus in action. But it also shows him at peace, on purpose and

focused. Although the story of Jesus’ life told by Mark centers on movement and action, you never get the

impression that Jesus was driven or frazzeled by the demands of his life or purpose. But you do see his bias

for action, for relationships and for personal involvement in people’s lives.

1. What does it say?

2. What does it mean?

3. What does it mean to me?

4. What insights or discoveries have I made?

5. What attitudes, actions, beliefs or behaviors of mine are challenged by what I’ve read?

6. What am I going to do about what I’ve read?

On a dozen Sundays this year we will deviate from our study of Mark’s Gospel for holidays and other special

events. On those weeks the Bible readings are not from Mark, but will help you come on Sunday ready to

worship and hear from God’s Word on those special occasions.

  

 

Join others at Bethany in memorizing key Bible verses from the Gospel of Mark. If you are interested, stop by the Information Table in the Lobby of the Worship Center on Sunday mornings, and pick up a printout of these verses.