Session 2 MARK
An Introduction to the Gospels with a View of Stewardship  as a Way of Faithful Living	Session 1 Intro Gospels	Session 2 Mark	Session 3 Matthew	Session 4 Luke	Session 5 John

READING ASSIGNMENT 1

• Read the Gospel of Mark
  Try to read the whole Gospel in one sitting!

GUIDE FOR READING 1

A few things to keep in mind as you are reading Mark.

• What assumptions are being made about the reader of this Gospel?
• What do you as the reader know that characters in the story do not know?
• What is your perception of and how do you react to the disciples in the gospel?
• In the Gospel of Mark, what is the most important thing the author seems to want you to realize about Jesus?

READING ASSIGNMENT 2

In Powell's The Gospels, read the Introduction and Chapter 2 (pages 38-60)

GUIDE FOR READING 2

1. List the 10 particular characteristics of Mark's story cited by Powell. (pp40-45)
   a.
   b.
   c.
   d.
   e.
   f.
   g.
   h.
   i.
   j.
    
2. Why was the Gospel of Mark written? (pp48-50)
    
3. What is your understanding of the "messianic secret" or "secrecy motif" in Mark's gospel? (pp52-55)

INTRODUCTION TO MARK

This PRESENTATION / HANDOUT will provide an overview of Mark with an eye to stewardship. Be sure to click on the NOTES option at the bottom of the screen to understand the presentation. (Handout is a 1.5Mb download and requires Adobe Reader.)

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In your reading of the Gospel of Mark, what were some surprises or things you did not expect?
2. If Mark were the only Gospel we had, what would you miss from the other Gospels?
3. Look again at what Powell says about why the Gospel of Mark was written. (pp48-50) Given the specific concerns Mark had in the first century, how can this gospel have any relevance to us today?
4. To paraphrase a gag sign I once saw: "The disciples in Mark are not completely worthless. They can always serve as a bad example." What can we learn from the disciples in Mark about being a "steward of life"?
5. Read Mark 4.1-20, the parable of the sower. How might you read this parable as a way to consider stewardship? (The presentation uses this example and can give you a start on your discussion.)
6. Read Mark 6.30-44. What kinds of insight into stewardship does the story of the feeding of the 5000 provide?

ADDITIONAL MARK RESOURCES

 All materials on this site ©2004 Mark Vitalis Hoffman