The Gospel of Mark: A Study Guide for LIFE

Of the four gospels in our Bibles, Mark is the shortest and the fastest moving. (His favorite word is "immediately.") Prominent in Mark's narrative are the healings and miracles Jesus performed and he provides considerable details about the traps and tricks the Jewish leaders used in their attempts to destroy Jesus. Mark presents Jesus as a humble servant who gave His life to serve the least and the lost. He shows Jesus making the supreme sacrifice as he willingly dies on the cross for the redemption of all of God's people. Mark provides several parables about the Kingdom of God, he records some key thoughts of godly living and he captures Jesus' comments on how we can recognize the time of Christ's return. As you use this Study Guide for LIFE you will be helped by three specific tools: 1) Explanatory notes which offer insight into difficult or controversial passages; 2) Searching questions which direct you back to the text for answers, and 3) Probing questions that expand the context and challenge you to apply the truths in this book to your own life and culture. Our goal is that you will know what the text says, what it means and will be able to apply it appropriately. Through these tools, you will discover and understand motive and mission of Jesus Christ and His claim on your life. It is our hope that you will be able to use these discoveries to experience the closeness and intimacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. After all, He gave Himself for you so you could have life and live with Him forever. The Study Guide is appropriate for the study efforts of individuals, small groups or teachers preparing to explain this book. Whether you are a curious seeker or a professional minister, the Study Guide for LIFE will direct your studies into the efforts of the apostles as they continue the work of Christ to establish His church. May it also stir your own heart to expand the church in yourself, your circle of friends and into he uttermost parts of the earth. For in this day Jesus is purifying the church and gathering in the last of the lost in anticipation of His soon coming to establish His Kingdom on earth.