Gospel of Mark Resources
Wherever you’re at right now, we invite you to join us on this journey through Mark’s Gospel. The book of Mark invites us to ask questions about Jesus like some of the skeptics, to be amazed at Him like the early crowds, to follow Him like the first disciples, to obey Him like the wind and the waves, and to devote our lives to King Jesus and His Kingdom.
Quick Links:
Overview
Mark’s Gospel is likely the oldest account we have of the life of Jesus. It is written by a John Mark (Mark), who was a co-worker of Paul in the book of Acts.
Since Mark was not himself an eyewitness of Jesus, the apostle Peter was likely his source. It is believed that he collected the stories Peter told him and carefully wove them together to present the truth about Jesus compelled both Peter and Mark to give their lives to the advance of the Gospel in the ancient world.
Mark was explicit from the beginning with his convictions about Jesus and he writes in such a way to bring his readers to a decisive moment when they, too, will be convinced of Jesus true identity and the implications this has for their lives.
BIBLE PROJeCT VIDEOS
Check out these videos from the Bible Project which provide an overview of the book of Acts:
Two-Part Teaching Series
There are two BridgePointe teaching series in book of Mark — the first half of the book in The King Has Come (Fall of 2021) and the second half in The Way of the Cross (Winter 2022).
Suggested Reading
“In this book Timothy Keller unlocks new insights into the life of Jesus Christ as he explores how Jesus came as a king, but a king who had to bear the greatest burden anyone ever has. Jesus the King is Keller’s revelatory look at the life of Christ as told in the Gospel of Mark. In it, Keller shows how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical, and personal, calling each of us to look anew at our relationship with God. It is an unforgettable look at Jesus Christ, and one that will leave an indelible imprint on every reader.” Link to buy on Amazon
“Understanding the Bible isn’t for the few, the gifted, the scholarly. The Bible is accessible. It’s meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from armchair readers to seminary students. A few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your twenty-first-century life…”
Reading Scripture
The following reading plan takes the 73 NIV sections in the book, and divides them over twelve weeks, six per week.
Week 7
Mark 8:34-9:1
Mark 9:2-13
Mark 9:14-29
Mark 9:30-37
Mark 9:38-41
Mark 9:42-50
Week 10
Mark 12:28-34
Mark 12:35-40
Mark 12:41-44
Mark 13:1-31
Mark 13:32-37
Mark 14:1-11
WEEK 5
Mark 6:6b-13
Mark 6:14-29
Mark 6:30-44
Mark 6:45-56
Mark 7:1-23
Mark 7:24-30
Week 8
Mark 10:1-12
Mark 10:13-16
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 10:32-34
Mark 10:35-45
Mark 10:46-52
Week 11
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:27-31
Mark 14:32-42
Mark 14:43-52
Mark 14:53-65
Mark 14:65-72
Week 6
Mark 7:31-37
Mark 8:1-13
Mark 8:14-21
Mark 8:22-26
Mark 8:27-30
Mark 8:31-33
Week 9
Mark 11:1-11
Mark 11:12-26
Mark 11:27-33
Mark 12:1-12
Mark 12:13-17
Mark 12:18-27
Week 12
Mark 15:1-15
Mark 15:16-20
Mark 15:21-32
Mark 15:33-41
Mark 15:42-47
Mark 16:1-20
BRIDGEPOINTE’S APPROACH TO SCRIPTURE READING
S.O.A.P. is an acronym for silence, observation, application and prayer. It’s a powerful tool that moves you from the text into the reality of your life. Using this method consistently will make it a habit and something you are familiar with. Use a journal or notebook and apply this method to work through any passage of Scripture.
Silence
When you read Scripture, it is necessary to slow down and invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Take a moment to be silent, pray and listen to the Spirit before you start.
Observation
Read the text and ask the following questions:
What does this reveal about Jesus?
How does this challenge the reader to believe in Jesus or become like Him?
Application
Write down how the passage applies to your life today.
How should this change the way that I think?
What does this challenge me to do?
Prayer
Talk to God about what you have heard from this text
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond to the application of this Scripture in your life.
Memorizing Scripture
Scripture memorization helps us to hide God’s word in our hearts. This may be an unfamiliar practice, and you may find it hard at first, but it is worth the effort. And you may just find it’s not as hard as you thought! Here are three passages from Mark that you can work on memorizing.
MEMORY VERSE for Weeks 1-4
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
– Mark 1:14-18
Memory Verse for Weeks 5-8
The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.
– Mark 4:14-20
Memory Verse for Weeks 9-12
After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. “Are you so dull?’ he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come–sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
– Mark 7:17-23
Scripture Memorization Tips
When we memorize Scripture, it becomes a way to meditate on the Word of God. As you read, reread, and read again, you will become familiar with the Scripture and notice things you wouldn’t otherwise. As you slow down, write the passage out, read it out loud, and then test yourself, you create space for the Holy Spirit to have a conversation with you about the passage. Look online for some encouragement, there is even a bible memorization app, or get started with a few of these ideas:
Write the verse down on a notecard and put it on your bathroom mirror.
Say a section of the verse to yourself on your daily commute.
Stop three times a day for five minutes to practice writing the verse down.
Challenge a friend to ask you to say it on command whenever they ask. Do the same for them!