FOLLOW
AN INTRODUCTORY EXPERIENCE OF FOLLOWING JESUS
Dear Friend,
If you don’t yet believe in Jesus, if you’re a new believer in Jesus, or if you’re a believer who has never had an introductory experience ofdiscipleship, this special curriculum is for you.
It has been prepared to help you learn the basics of what it means to follow Jesus. It is not something you should do alone, but is bestexperienced in a group of two or three other “followers,” including atrained leader who cares about your spiritual growth. This introductory study will teach you a number of foundational truths about Jesus, whichHebrews 6:1 calls the “elementary doctrine of Christ.” These carry theidea of being the basic teachings we need to know to begin a new life of following Jesus. In working through these basic truths you will learn the answers to these important questions:
- Who is Jesus?
- How can your sins be forgiven by God?
- What does it mean to follow Jesus daily?
- Why is studying the Bible so important?
- How can you learn to hear God’s voice?
This discipleship curriculum guides you through the Gospel of Mark. Your group leader will help you through each session by praying for you, facilitating each gathering, assisting with questions, and doing his/herbest to support your learning. Before you decide whether you’re going todo this or not, do the first session. Try it. If you don’t want to continueafter the first session you can bow out—no questions, no awkwardness.But try the first session. Jesus changes people’s lives .... And by learning to follow Him, you’ll give Him the opportunity to change you! We are praying for you.
The Team at Cornerstone Church Mark 1 – A Basic Pattern
Mark’s Gospel is one of the best, most reliable, and historicallyverifiable sources on the life of Jesus.
Read Mark 1:1-45 out loud with your discipleship group. Your leader will help you answer the observation, interpretation,and application questions. If you’re not comfortable reading,let your leader know.
Observation – What do You See?
- Mark 1 is the introduction and a lot happens in the first chapter. Jesus is baptized by John, tempted by Satan, and begins His public ministry. He was about ______year old at the time. (Luke 3:23)
- As Jesus begins His public ministry in Mark 1, we see Him establish ministry patterns. He begins doing three things. If you know what these three things are, you know the basic pattern for following Jesus.
What did Jesus immediately being calling people to do in Mark 1:15?
What did Jesus call the men to do in Mark 1:16-20? How did they respond?
Jesus began setting a pattern that defined His public ministry and which He called His disciples to follow. He began by doing three things in Mark 1 --
- D- ..................................................., 1:17-20
- T- ...................................................., 1:21-22
- S- ...................................................., 1:29-34
After taking note of this pattern, read 1 Peter 2:21. What does Peter teach us that Jesus has done? And what does it sayJesus’ purpose was in doing it?
The word “example” (1 Peter 2:21) literally means, “to write underneath.” This is how children are taught to write.Likewise, Jesus set a pattern for us to follow.
Interpretation – What Does It Mean?
How might a person’s life change if they took seriously Jesus’call to follow?
Being _________________by Jesus, obeying Jesus’_______________ and _________________other with Jesus takes time and commitment. With respect to this discipleship group experience, it involves committing to meet each weak for ____ hours for ___months.
Application – How Does It Apply?
The commitment Project – You’ve just finished the first session! Well done! Now, it’s decision time. Will you commit to finishing all sixteen chapters of Mark’s Gospel, or stop? Thisweek consider committing yourself to this discipleship group training carefully. Count the cost. When you’ve made yourdecision, let your discipleship group leader know. If you decideto keep going, you’re making five commitments to each personin your discipleship group.
- I will finish this study of Mark’s Gospel with my group.
- I will make our weekly sessions a high priority.
- I will be on time, prepared, and participate.
- I will share transparently and keep things we shared
confidential.
- I will multiply this discipleship experience into the lives
of other. Your Signature
Mark 2 – Who Is Jesus?
Application follow-up: Share why you committed to this discipleship experience?
Red Mark 2:1-28
Observation – What do you see?
- Be sure to observe that Jesus continues the same basic discipleship pattern that we saw Him establish in Mark 1. Discipling ________ Teaching __________. Serving _________ DTS
- Take note: Mark 2 is structured around four questions. Three of these questions were asked as Jesus ate with His disciples and others.
Read the four verses below and write out the questions asked in each verse. Then follow the instructions to learn the answers.
1. Mark 2;7- ______________________________
Read Jesus’ answer in verses 9-12. What did He have the authority to do?2. Mark2:16-______________________________
Read Jesus’ answer in verses 17. What did Jesus imply He was able to do? (This is a hard question. Clue: It has to do with declaring sinners righteous.)
- Mark2:18-_____________________________
Read Jesus’ answer in verse 19-20. How many times does Jesus speak of Himself as the bridegroom? ______Read Isaiah 61:10, which is an Old Testament prophecy of the coming of Christ. Who is Jesus implying He is? - Mark2:24-______________________________Read Jesus’ answer in verses 25-26. Which Old Testament person does Jesus liken His actions to?___________ (1 Samuel 21:1-6) In Jesus’ day, one title people used for God’s promised savior was “___________”. (Mark 10:47). Lie “the Bridegroom”reference earlier, associating Himself with King Davidwas a claim to be the Christ, God’s anointed King.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
As you think through Jesus’ four answer in Mark 2, write asummary of who Jesus claimed to be and what He claimed to have authority/power to do.
If you could ask Jesus a question, any question at all, what would you ask Him?
Application – How does it apply?
The “Dinner with Disciples” Project: Some of Jesus’ mostpoignant moments with His disciples happened around a table while eating. Just as we see Jesus eating with His disciples in Mark 2, get together as a discipleship group for dinner. (Ifyou’re married, your spouse is welcome.) During dinner, sharewith each other where you are in your journey with Jesus.
Prayer – A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
What have you been specifically thanking God for in your life?
Application follow-up: What did you learn by having dinner together?
Mark 3 – Discipleship
Read Mark 3:1-35 aloud with your discipleship group then answer the observation, interpretation, and application questions.
Observation – What do you see?
- Take note that Jesus continues the same basic pattern of discipleship in Mark 3 that we saw in Mark 1 & 2; Discipling ___________, Teaching___________, Serving___________,
--D.T.S. It really is a pattern!
- Pay attention to Mark 3:13-19, where Jesus choosestwelve men to disciple. This is a critical moment in Jesus’ministry. It also puts our focus on the first aspect of His ministry pattern: _____________
Look closely at Mark 3:13-19. Also read the parallel accounts in Matthew 10:1-4 and Luke 6:12-16. List everything---- everything----Jesus did in these verses.
Mark 3:14-15 tell us Jesus’ purpose for choosing the Twelve. (Note: the words “so that” indicate purpose)
What three things did Jesus choose the Twelve for?
1. _______________________________________ 2. _______________________________________ 3. _______________________________________
(See also Matthew 10:1)
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Jesus taught crowds and served thousands but he intentionally discipled only a few. He chose twelve men to disciple, three in particular – Peter, James, and John. We see Jesus with only these three disciples five times. (Mark 1:16-20, 5:37, 9:2, 13:3,14:33). Jesus’ first purpose was for them to be__________________
How does being with your discipleship group help you spendtime “with Jesus?”
Jesus’ goal for us as His disciples is to “_____________ ____________________________________________”(Matthew 28:18-20). He trains us to be disciples and to make disciples.
Application
Discipleship Definitions Project: Congratulations! As you studyMark’s Gospel and put it into practice you are being discipledand learning to make disciples. Well done! To keep building
clarity, memorize the two definitions below and be prepare to recite them to your discipleship group the next time you meet.
Who is a disciple? A disciple is a person __________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
What is discipleship? Discipleship is a process of ___ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Prayer – A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication)
Mark 4 – Teaching
Application follow-Up: read Mark 4 aloud with your group.Observation – What do you see?
Take note that ________% of Mark 4 is Jesus teaching four parables. All four parables are about one thing: _______________________ - scattering it, growing it, and harvesting it.
Scan Mark 4 and underline every reference to listening or hearing. How many did you find? _______
Followers of Jesus learn Jesus’ teaching by reading God’s Word and learning to hear God’s voice.
In the parable of the sower (4:1-20), Jesus teaches us aboutthe seed of God’s Word falling on four soils. What does Jesus say about the seed in each soil?
1. The path –
2. Rocky Ground -
3. Among the thorns - 4. Good soil –
Note: God’s Word, in a broad sense, is everything written in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). In a narrow sense, it’s a succinctstatement of the gospel. We’ll learn what the gospel is whenwe study Mark 8.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Jesus calls us to be “fourth-soil” people. Read Mark 4:20. Theone thing that is different about fourth-soil people in Jesus’parable – and it’s a huge difference – is that they accept God’s Word. What does it mean to accept God’s Word?
Which of the four soils in Jesus’ parable best describes youright now? Explain
The pattern Jesus’ set for us to follow includes learning His teaching. (It’s the T in D.T.S.). We learn Jesus’ teaching by _____________________God’s Word ourselves,_____________________it taught by others, and importantly, by __________________it.
As we continue learning about how important hearing andaccepting God’s Word is to following Jesus, read the verses below and answer the questions.
Matthew 4:4. If God’s Word is like food, how often should weread it?
John 10:27. What does Jesus teach is an essential aspect of following Him?
Application – How does it apply?
Mark’s Gospel Reading Project: Read through Mark’s Gospelthis week. If you read 15 minutes per day, you should finish reading it through in 7 days. As you read, pray God will teach you to accept His words and hear His voice.
PRAYER -- A.C.T.S.
Mark 5 – Serving
Application Follow-Up: How did God speak to you as you read
Mark’s Gospel?
Read Mark 5:1-43 aloud with your group. Observation – What do you see?
- Jesus began a discipleship pattern which we have been paying careful attention to in Mark’s Gospel. We’ve seen Himconsistently do three things in each chapter.
1. Discipling 2. Teaching 3. Serving
- Take note of chapters 3-5. What was chapter 3 about? What was chapter 4 about?
What was chapter 5 about?
Historical Insight: Clean & Unclean: Jesus’ twelve discipleswere all Jewish men, which meant they tried to live according to the Old Testament Law. The Law classified many things aseither “clean” or “unclean.” If a Jew came into contact withsomething unclean, they had to go through a very involved
“cleansing.” Jesus’ twelve disciples had lived their whole livesavoiding unclean things. In Mark 5, though, Jesus leads theminto a lot of “uncleanness.”
How is the place Jesus took His disciples to described in Mark 4:35, 5:1, & 5:21?
There are at least 5 things that are “unclean” in Mark 5:1-20. What are they?
Knowing that Jewish men tried hard to avoid everything unclean, how do you think the disciples felt being around so much uncleanness in Mark 5?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Jesus took His disciples to ______________________ they’d never normally go near. He took them to “the other side” toserve the sick, the poor, the vulnerable, and the outcasts –people who were different. The people the world often considered last were the people Jesus took His disciples to serve first.
Where is the “other side” in your community? Where would you normally never go? Where can you find people “different”from you? Where are the people who are in need that you can serve? List a couple of places and ways a disciple might be able to serve.
Application – How does it apply?
“The Other Side” Project – When we read Jesus doing something with His disciples, we should seek to put it into practice too (cf. 1 John 2:6). Jesus took His disciples to “the other side” as part of their discipleship training. They were to live the same “mission” as He.
This week, go with your discipleship group to serve others inneed on “the other side.” This is a big deal. Serve together, notalone. Remember to PRAY for those you serve.
Prayer = A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
Mark 6 – Opposition
Application Follow-Up: What did you learn by going to the
“other side?”
Read Mark 6:1-56 aloud with your group.
Observation – What do you see?
- Jesus’ pattern of discipleship continues in Mark 6. We seeHim continue His Discipling ___, Teaching___, and Serving___ Keep looking for this pattern as you read each chapter.
- In Mark 2 we saw low level opposition to Jesus and His disciples. My Mark 3:6 this opposition had escalated to peopletrying to “destroy” Jesus. The theme of opposition to Jesusemerges again in Mark 6.
What happened between Mark 6:2 and Mark 6:3? What made the people of Nazareth change from being astonished by Jesus to being against Him so quickly?
Mark 6:7-13 is a major discipleship moment. It was the first time Jesus sent His disciples to spread the gospel and serve without Him. What instructions did He give them? What did Jesus anticipate they’d encounter in verse 11?
What happened to John the Baptist in Mark 6:27?
Jesus’ disciples encountered everything from low levelopposition to extreme persecution in Mark 6. They saw Jesus_____________________________ in Nazareth, they listened to Jesus’ instructions about facing_______________________, and heard the news about Johnthe Baptist’s _________________.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
How do you think the opposition the disciples witnessed in Mark 6 shaped their understanding of what they couldanticipate as His followers? If people opposed Jesus, wouldn’tpeople oppose His disciples too?
What are your initial thoughts about facing opposition for following Jesus?
Application – How does it apply?
Persecution Research Project – Visit opendoorusa.org, click onthe “Christian Persecution” tab, and spend 15 minutes learningabout Christian persecution in the world today. Write down what you learn and other thoughts below.
Take a moment and pray for persecuted followers around the world.
Prayer = A.C.T.S.
Mark 7 – Hard Heartedness
Application Follow-Up: What were your impressions of
opendoorusa.org?
Read Mark 7:1-37 aloud with your group.Observation – What do you see?
- The first half of Mark 7 deals with Jewish traditions of washings and ways of honoring parents. Learn aboutthese things but don’t be distracted from the mainpoint, which is about having a hard heart.
- Be sure to take note that Jesus specifically talks with Hisdisciples about “the heart” at two very poignant moments in Mark 7, the first in verse________ and the second in verse ________.
We’re studying Mark 7 but look back at Mark 6:52 for a moment. Is it surprising to you that Jesus’ own disciplesexhibited hard hearts?
How many “evil thoughts” did Jesus name in Mark 7:21-22?_______. Write each of these “evil thoughts” Jesus namedbelow.
What does Jesus teach us about the heart in verses 1-23? How would you summarize His teaching so that you could explain it to someone else?
Following Jesus involves being acutely aware of our own hard heartedness. Jesus teaches us that out of our heart comes all kinds of _______/_______. Sin is anything we _______________, ____________, or ________________ thatfalls short of God’s perfection.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
What is the heart? When Jesus spoke of the heart, what wasHe referring to? Write a simple definition for “the heart”below.
Evil thoughts come out of our heart and inform our mind. What does Romans 12:2 say needs to happen with our mind? How do you think that happens?
Read Psalm 32 and 1 John 1:8-10. How do these passages say our sins can be forgiven by God and how we can receive a new heart from Him?
Application – How does it apply?
5-Day “Evil Thought” Journal – Identify one evil thought that came out of your heart each day for five days using a one-wordexplanation, such as: “anger” or “lying” or “lust.” Describehow you confessed it to the Lord and asked for forgiveness, and then describe how you asked for His help to transform your thought life.
Prayer – A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
Mark 8 – Gospel Confession
Application Follow-Up: What did you learn by keeping an evil
thought journal?
Read Mark 8:1-30 aloud with your group.Observation – What do you see?
- The pivotal, turning-point moment of Mark 8 is in verse 29, when Peter confessed Jesus to be“_______________________.” It was the first time oneof the Twelve had used this powerful Old Testament title of Jesus.
- Mark 8 is a very important chapter. It’s not only the halfway point of Mark’s Gospel, it’s also the turningpoint. Jesus brings all the essential elements of the gospel of the kingdom of God together in Mark 8. (Note:“Gospel” literally means “Good News.”)
Helpful Historical Insight Christ means “________________.” It carries with it the idea of God’s anointed King. “Christ” is nota name, it is a ________________________, given to the One that all Scripture is written about, as well as the One who fulfills all Scripture, including fulfilling more than_______________________prophecies. To say Jesus is “the
Christ” is to acknowledge He is God in the flesh, God’sanointed King and the Savior of the world.
Up to this point in Mark’s Gospel many people said many different things about who they thought Jesus was. The disciples, though, had said nothing. What did Jesus pointedly ask His disciples in Mark 8:27-30 and how did they respond?
At this point in your journey with Jesus, if He asked you the same question that He asked in Mark 8:29 (Who do you say that I am?), how would you respond?
Immediately after Peter’s confession, what did Jesus beginteaching His disciples in Mark 8:31? Be specific. (Note: This is the first time Jesus had spoken of this, which means it is really important.)
Interpretation – What does it mean?
In Mark 1:14-17 we read four essential elements of the gospel Jesus preached. Here, in Mark 8:27-31, we learn three otheressential elements. With your leader’s help, list them below.
What do you notice about what Jesus tells His disciples in Mark 8:27-31 and what the Apostle Paul writes about the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
Application – How does it apply?
The Gospel Memorization Project: -- Read the 100-word gospel definition (What is the Gospel?) near the end of this curriculum. Read it each day for five days. Try to memorize it.As you do, ask yourself, “Am I willing to publically confess thatJesus is the Christ, like Peter?
PRAYER – A.C.T.S.
Mark 9 – The Kingdom of God
Application Follow-Up: Is there anything holding you backfrom making “the good confession” (1 Timothy 6:12-13) bysaying “Jesus is the Christ?”
Read Mark 9:1-50 aloud with your group.Observation – What do you see?
- Observe the phrase “the Kingdom of God” appears inMark 9:1 and 9:47. These two references at the start and finish of Mark 9 help us understand that the whole chapter is about the Kingdom of God.
- Definition: The Kingdom of God is the restoring of _____________ over all things in heaven and on earth through Jesus of Nazareth who is the Christ. Where ______________________, there the Kingdom of God is.
What did Jesus say some of His disciples would see in Mark 9:1?
Write down at least five ways the Kingdom of God was revealed through Jesus with power on the mountain with Peter, James, and John in Mark 9:2-13.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
In Mark 9, we see the Kingdom of God being revealed through Jesus with power (which fulfilled Jesus’ words in Mark 9:1).Being a follower of Jesus means you acknowledge _____________________ and believe in the reality of ______________________________________.
Other Kingdom Teachings: As you think more about God’sKingdom, here are four more truths Jesus taught about it:
1. He spoke of the gospel as “___________________of theKingdom. (Matthew 24:14)
2. Many of Jesus’ parables were about what the Kingdom ofGod is like, including the parables of _________________________(Mk. 4:30-34) which teachesthat God’s Kingdom starts small on earth and grows big.
3. Jesus taught that God’s Kingdom has______________________ come but _______________________in all its fullness. (Lk. 17:20-21; Matt. 25:31-46)
4. Jesus said His Kingdom was ____________________________ (Jn. 18:36)
Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come (Your Kingdom come, Matthew 6:10). When we pray for God’s Kingdom to come, we are ...
- ExpressingourfaithinJesusas _________________________
- Inviting Jesus to _____________________our lives.
- Longing for God’s eternal Kingdom to
_______________________
- Praying to _________________________enter God’s
Kingdom.
Application – How does it apply?
The pray-for-God’s-Kingdom Project – Write out Jesus’ prayerin Matthew 6:9-13 (a.k.a. The Lord’s Prayer), which includes praying for God’s Kingdom to come. Pray this prayer each dayfor five days. Try to memorize it.
Mark 10 – Renouncement
Application Follow-Up: What did you learn as you prayed the
Lord’s Prayer?
Read Mark 10:1-52 with your group.Observation – What do you see?
- In Mark 10 we see Jesus discipling, teaching, serving, andfacing opposition, which we’ve seen in other chapters.One thing that really stands out in Mark 10 is His interaction with the rich man in verses 17-31.
- Take note that the phrases “inheriting eternal life” (v. 17), “entering the Kingdom of God” (v. 23), and “being saved” (v. 26) are synonymous phrases. All are used during Jesus’ interaction with the rich man.
In Mark 10:17 the rich man asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. How did Jesus answer in v. 21? DoesJesus’ answer surprise you in any way?
How did the rich man respond to Jesus’ call in verse 22?
Jesus’ disciples responded in four ways. How did they respond in verses 23-31?
1. 2. 3. 4.
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Does Jesus call all of His followers to sell everything they have and give it all to the poor? No, but He might call some to do this, like the rich man. Jesus does, however, call all of us to renounce all we have if we want to be His disciples.
Read Luke 14:33. What is the difference between selling all and renouncing all?
The idea of renouncing all we have to follow Jesus is the idea that Jesus is by far ____________________________in our life; that nothing in this world comes close to Him – no person, possession, position, or anything else.
What are two or three ways a person might be freed to live like Jesus and love others like Jesus (phrases from our“disciple” definition) by renouncing all?
Application – How does it apply?
The Renouncement Prayer Project – As you learn the blessing of renouncement, pray each day for five days about making Jesus the most important thing in your life. Find a quiet placeand simply ask, “Lord, I want to make you the most importantthing in my life. Is there anything in my life that I hold tooimportant compared to you?” After asking this in prayer, sitquietly and listen. If something comes to mind that might compete with God in importance, write it down so you can consider if you need to renounce it.
Mark 11 – Forgiving Others
Application Follow-Up: Did the Lord speak to you about
renouncing anything?
Read Mark 11:1-33 aloud with your group.Observation – What do you see?
- Mark 11 begins Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion. Mark 11:11 was a Sunday, Mark 11:12 (“the following day”) was Monday, and Mark 11:20 is Tuesday, just three days before Jesus’ crucifixion.
- Mark 11 also contains Jesus’ first teaching on prayer inthis Gospel, which might be surprising. It is importanttoo note that Jesus’ teaching on prayer has to do with
______________________________________________
What does Jesus call the Temple in Mark 11:17? (Hint: He calls it 3 things.)
1. 2.
3.
What does Jesus teach His disciples about prayer in Mark 11:25?
Interpretation – What Does it Mean?
If we have anything against anyone – and anyone means anyone – Jesus calls us to pray until God changes our heart and enables us to forgive that person.
There is a strong connection in the Bible between God’sforgiveness of us, and us forgiving others. Read the followingverses and summarize what they teach about how God’sforgiveness of us relates to how we forgive others.
Matthew 6:14-15
Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:12-14
Noted author, C.S. Lewis once said, “Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until he has something to forgive.”
Why do you think Jesus taught His disciples to pray to forgive others?
How might an unforgiving heart impact a person’s ability tofollow Jesus?
Application – How does it apply?
The Forgiveness Project – Pray the Lord’s Prayer (Mathew 6:9-13) each day for five days. It includes asking for God’sforgiveness as we forgive others. As you pray, ask God to bring to your mind anyone you have anything against. If God brings someone to mind, do what Jesus says in Mark 11:25 and pray until God softens your heart and enables you to forgive them –to truly forgive them.
Mark 12 – Loving Others
Application Follow-Up: Did the Lord bring anyone to your
mind that you need to forgive?
Read Mark 12:1-44 and continue honing your Bible study skills by answer the observation, interpretation, and applicationquestions. You’re doing great!
Observation – What do you see?
- The events recorded in Mark 12 occur on the Tuesday before Jesus was crucified on Friday. With this in mind, take note of Mark 12:12-13 where the Pharisees (a sectof religious rulers) are trying to “trap Him in His talk.”
- One of the controversial questions Jesus was asked in Mark 12 had to do with which of the ________ Commandments in the Old Testament was the most important. The answer Jesus gave was simple and stunning.
How did Jesus answer “the most important commandment of all” question?
Why might Jesus’ answer have surprised those who heard it?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Jesus teaches us that at the heart of all God’s commands is__________. This means (1) God express His ___________for us in every command He gave us; and (2) we express our___________for God when we obey His commands. God’scommands and our obedience are ultimately expressions of _________.
Before now, when you thought of God’s commands, did you think of them as loving? How might Jesus’ teaching renewyour thinking in this regard?
How does Jesus’ most important commandment focus usimmediately on being others-oriented and loving as opposed to self-centered and passive?
After identifying the most important commandment of the Old Covenant, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment for this New Covenant era. Read John 12:34-35. How is the mostimportant commandment (Old) like and unlike Jesus’ Newcommandment?
In what ways does the definition of a disciple that we learnedin our study of Mark 3 reflect Jesus’ new commandmentteaching in John 12:34-35?
Application – How Does it Apply?
The Jesus Loves Me Project – Before we can obey Jesus’command to love others with His love, first we need to receiveHis love ourselves. There’s a children’s song which says; “Jesus
loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Many peoplestruggle to truly believe this amazing truth. Write a journalentry this week about your thoughts and beliefs about god’slove for you. Be real and ready to share your journal entry with your discipleship group.
PRAYER: - A.C.T.S
Mark 13 – The Second Coming
Application Follow-Up: What are your beliefs about God’s
love for you?
Read Mark 13:1-37 with your discipleship group.
What are the three aspects of Bible study?
1.___________________2.__________________3.__________ ________
Observation – What do you see?
- As we’ve noted in previous chapters, Mark 11-16 recordthe events of Jesus’ final week before His crucifixion. In Mark 13, it’s the Tuesday night before His crucifixion onFriday – just three days left!
- Mark 13 contains one of Jesus’ greatest prophecies – His prophecy regarding the destruction of the __________________ in Jerusalem. This prophecy is also connected to the promise of His _____________________________________.
Read Mark 13:1-2 carefully. What “great buildings” of stonewas Jesus referring in v. 2? What did Jesus say would happento these “great buildings?”
In response to this prophecy, what questions did Hi disciples ask in verse 4?
1. When .....
2. What .....
In Mark 13:30, Jesus answers His disciples’ first questionsabout when the Temple would be destroyed. When did He say it would be destroyed?
There are many signs in Mark 13 but one stands out. It’s the sign in v. 14. It answers the disciples’ second question. Whatwas the sign in Mark 13:14?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
Jesus’ great prophecy about the destruction of the Templewithin a generation was __________________. The Roman army led by Titus surrounded Jerusalem, invaded the city, and destroyed the Temple, leaving it in rubble. Jesus’ prophecy wasfulfilled exactly as he said.
The fulfillment of Jesus’ great prophecy about the Temple’sdestruction should give us great confidence in His promise regarding his ___________________________. (Mark 13:36- 37). As followers of Jesus, we must come to the point of believing Jesus will come again to establish God’s eternalKingdom, just as He said.
Application – How does it apply?
The Prophecy Project – Using the Bible study skills you’ve been learning, study Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 25:31-46. Write down your observations about the passage and your interpretation of what it means. As part of your application,answer the question: “Do I believe Jesus will come again, just as He said?” Bring your study notes to your next discipleship group.
PRAYER – A.C.T.S.
Mark 14 – The Lord’s Supper
Application Follow-Up: Share what you learned in studying
Matthew 25:31-46
Read Mark 14:1-72 with your group. Observation – What do you see?
- Mark 14:1 says it’s “two days before the Passover,”which means it is the Wednesday before the Friday when He was crucified. Because of this, there is intensity to everything we read in Mark 14.
- A lot happens in Mark 14: Judas’ betrayal, Jesus’ prayer and arrest, and the disciple’s desertion. The quietestand maybe most enduring moment was when Jesus ate bread and drank from a cup with His disciples.
Read Mark 14:22-25 carefully again. Write down everything –everything – Jesus did in these verses. (hint: he did at least 10 things.)
What did Jesus specifically say about the bread and the cup?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
In addition to Mark 14:22-26, read the instructions the ApostlePaul received from Jesus about “The Lord’s Supper” in 1Corinthians 11:23-32. How do these instructions explain why followers of Jesus still share the Lord’s Supper today?
In Mark 14:24 and 1 Corinthians 11:25 the new covenant ismentioned. Read God’s promise to make a new covenant inJeremiah 31:31-34 together. Does anything stand out to you about the new covenant in these verses?
As followers of Jesus we are to obey His instructions about theLord’s Supper. We should share the Lord’s Supper with otherfollowers of Jesus often. As we do, we ____________________Him, ___________________ _____________ourselves, ____________________________we’re living in the blessings of the new covenant, and____________________ that sharing the Lord’s Supper “proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes.”
Application – How does it apply?
The Lord’s Supper Project – Find out the next time your local church will be sharing the Lord’s Supper. Attend the worship service with your discipleship group and share the Lord’sSupper together with the church.
PRAYER – A.C.T.S.
Mark 15 – Jesus’ Death
Application Follow-Up: What were your impressions of the
Lord’s Supper?
Read Mark 15:1-47 with your group. Observation – What do you see?
- Everything that has been written since Mark 8:31 hashad the dark shadow of Jesus’ impending death looming over it. Mark 15, which records Jesus’ death, has a veryclimactic feel to it.
- There’s nothing more important to being a follower ofJesus than believing in His death and resurrection. Withrespect to His death, we’re called to believe He died –and that He died _____________
Mark 15:37-39 records the moment of Jesus’ death. Was thereany question that Jesus died? What words did Mark use tocommunicate Jesus’ death?
What happened in Mark 15:39-47 that would confirm Jesus did actually die?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
What do you learn from these verses below about Jesus’death?
Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 15:3 1 Peter 3:18
How do the three verses you just looked at make Jesus’ deathpersonal to you?
To truly begin following Jesus, we must come to believe not only that Jesus died, but that_____________________________. Jesus’ death also helps usgrasp for the first time the meaning of His words in Mark 8:34. To truly continue following Jesus, we must ...
Read Luke 9:23, which is Luke’s version Mark 8:34. What doyou think in means to deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus?
How is it dying?
What, if anything, is holding you back from believing Jesus died for your sins?
Application – How does it apply?
The Cross Project – Spend time this week reviewing all you’velearned about following Jesus since you began studying Mark’sGospel with your discipleship group. Ask yourself these critical questions:
1. Do I believe Jesus is the Christ and that He died on the cross for my sins?
2. Am I ready to begin a new life of following Jesus no matter what the cost and without conditions or excuses?
These are two huge and costly questions. Consider them carefully.
Mark 16 – Jesus’ Resurrection
Application Follow-Up: Are you ready to follow Jesus no
matter the cost?
Read Mark 16:1-20 with your group. Observation – What do you see?
- As soon as Jesus began teaching His disciples about His death, he also spoke of his resurrection (See Mark 8:31).We cannot separate the power of Jesus’ death to saveus from our sins from His resurrection.
- Jesus made His entire ministry utterly dependent on Hisresurrection. This means if Jesus wasn’t raised from thedead, He is nothing more than a ___________________ prophet and all Christians are ____________.
Read Mark 8:31, 9:31, and 10:34 again. Why do you think Jesus spoke with His disciples about His resurrection so far in advance?
How did the women discover that Jesus had been raised from the dead?
Interpretation – What does it mean?
You might be surprised to learn that there is more historicalevidence Jesus’ resurrection than any other event in ancient history. Among the evidence is:
- The ______________________________________________ _
- More than __________________________________(1 Cor. 15:6)
- Four ______________________________________________
- The _________________________________of the Apostles.
If Jesus wasn’t raised from the dead, our faith in Him is_____________ and Christianity is a ______ (1 Corinthians 15:12-22). If He was, it’s the only needed proof Hi is the Christ,God in the flesh, and the Savior of the world!
Read Mark 16:16 and Romans 6:3-5 about baptism. Why is being baptized the best way to express our faith in Jesus and His death, burial, and his resurrection?
Baptism is a “Pledge of Allegiance” act in front of witnesses,telling them that you are pledging to follow Jesus actively for the rest of your life. Why is this so absolutely important?
Application – How does it apply?
Believe & Be Baptized -- Well done! You’ve just finished reading Mark’s Gospel! Though it’s an ending, it is also time foryou to decide if it’s a new beginning if you haven’t alreadydone so.
- Do you believe in Jesus Christ and in His death and resurrection?
- Are you committing to living a new life of denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit?
If your answer is yes to both these questions, praise God! The angels in heaven are rejoicing (Luke 15:10). Talk to your leaderabout being baptized soon, if you haven’t been baptizedalready. If you answered no to either question yet you still want to seek Jesus more, talk with your leader about potential next steps.
FOLLOWLeader’s Answer Guide
Mark 1 OBSERVATION: thirty // Repent and believe in the gospel // “Follow Me” !1:17) – and they did follow in v. 18 & 20 // Discipling, Teaching, Serving // Jesus left us an example so that (= purpose) we might follow In His Steps. INTERPRETATION: 1. Have a new openness to God; 2 Begin to do new things, like reading the Bible and pray; 3. Be with new people, other followers of Jesus // being DISCIPLED by Jesus, obeying Jesus’TEACHING, SERVING others with Jesus // 1 1⁄2 hours, 4-6 months.
Mark 2. OBSERVATION: 2:115; 2:13; 2:12 //. Mark 2:7 – Who can forgive sins but God alone? Jesus has authority to forgive sins // Mark 2:16 – Why does Jesus eat with siners? Jesus implied He has the power to justify sinners; to declare sinners righteous before God // Mark 2:18 – Why weren’t Jesus’ disciples fasting? // 3 // Because Jesus is “the Bridegroom,” meaning He fulfills the prophecy about the Christ in Isaiah 61:10 – weddingguests don’t fast but feast with the bridegroom // Mark 2:24 – Why didn’t Jesus’ disciplesobserve Sabbath rules? // David // the Son of David. INTERPRETATION: Jesus claimed to be the Forgiver of sins, the Justifier of sinners, the Bridegroom and the Son of David as promised in the Old Testament, which means He was claiming to be the Christ, God in the Flesh.
Mark 3 – Discipleship. OBSERVATION: 3:13, 3:23, 3:5 // Being disciples // 9 things: Jesus prayed all night (Lk 6:12), went up the mountain (3:13), called (3:13), appointed (3:14), chose (Lk 6:13), named them Apostles 3:14, renamed Peter (3:16), renamed the Sons of Thunder (3:17), gave authority to preach, cast-out, heal (3:14; Matt 10:1) // To be with Him, to preach the gospel, to heal the sick and demon-possessed. INTERPRETATION: be with Him// Matt 18:20. Jesus is at the center of a discipleship group: we read about Him, talk about Him, learn His teaching, put His teaching into practice together, pray in His name (Mk 11:24) //. Make disciples of all nations. APPLICATION: A disciple is a person who is learning to live and love others like Jesus //Discipleship is a process of intentional servant-leadership training by the church that forms the gospel in disciples and equips them to disciple others.
Mark 4 – Teaching. OBSERVATION: 85%, God’s Word // 12 // The Path -Satan takes God’sWord from some people as soon as they hear it (4:15) // Rocky Ground – Some peoplereceive God’s Word with joy but don’t allow it to grow deep roots in their lives and theyfall away (4:16-17) // Among thorns. Some people hear God’s Word bu the cares of theworld, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things choke it (4:18-19) // Good Soil – Other people hear God’s Word, accept it, and God’s Word multiples in/through their lives exponentially (4:20) // All the soils hear God’s Word. Only “fourth
soil people” accept it. INTERPRETATION: Accept God’s Word means you believe Jesus’teaching to be true and obey it by putting it into practice – by doing it (James 1:22) // reading, hearing, obeying // Matt 4:4 – daily // Jn 10:27 – Hearing His voice.
Mark 5 – Serving; OBSERVATION: Discipling, Teaching, Serving // “The other side” // 5Unclean things: Gerasenes (= Gentile territory), 5:1 Tombs, 5:2, Unclean spirit, 5:2; the man possessed by the unclean spirit, 5:2: Pigs, 5:11 // Uncomfortable, Uptight, Angry,Doubting ... // people and places // Hospitals, Retirement Homes, Homeless Shelters, “bad parts of town,” Adult Day Care Facilities for the Disabled.
Mark 6 – Opposition; OBSERVATION: 6:1, 6:2, 6:5 // Hometown contempt (6:3-4) & Unbelief (6:6) // Jesus anticipated opposition, even rejection, and instructed them in what to do when they were not received or listened to // John the Baptist was beheaded // rejected, opposition, beheading. INTERPRETATION; As they identified with Jesus and began doing the same things as Jesus, they could expect opposition like Jesus.
Mark 7 – Hard Heartedness; OBSERVATION; 6, 21 // They had spent lots of time with Jesusso their hears should be soft to Jesus ... but no! // 12 (Note: 12 sins and 12 disciples):sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy slander, pride, foolishness // Because of sin, every day our hearts begin hard, closed to God, far from God. Unless God intervenes, our hearts will stay hard // evil, sin // think, say, do. INTERPRETATION: The heart is that part of us that responds to Jesus // Our minds need to be transformed by the renewal that comes with knowing and doing the will of God // Ps. 32 – acknowledge our sin before God in prayer, which means confessing oursin to Him, trusting in Him to forgive us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, andliving in the blessing of His forgiveness; 1 Jn 8-10 – If we confess our sins to God, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins.
Mark 8 – Gospel Confession: OBSERVATION: The Christ // Anointed One // title // 400prophecies // Jesus asked His disciples “Who do you say I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ” // His death (“kill”) & His Resurrection (“raise”) INTERPRETATION: TheKingdom of God (1:15), Jesus is the Christ (8:29), His Death (8:31), His Resurrection (:31), Repent of sin (1;15), Believe the gospel (1:15), Follow Jesus (1:17) // 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and Mark 8:27-31 are strikingly similar. Paul declares the three elements in Mark 8:27-31– Christ, death, resurrection – to be “the gospel,” just as Mark 1:14 declares the otherfour elements – kingdom, repent, believe, and follow – be “the gospel.”
Mark 9 – The Kingdom of God: OBSERVATION; God’s rule // Christ rules // The kingdomof God come with power // Five Ways (1) He was transfigured 9:2; (2) His clothes wereradiant white, 9:3 (3) Elijah’s appearance, 9:4 (4) Moses’ appearance 9:4 (5) The voice that said, “This is my beloved Son,” 9:7 INTERPRETATION: Jesus is the King, God’s
Kingdom // The gospel, the mustard seed, already, not yet // not of this world // APPLICATION King, rule, come, help others
Mark 10 – Renouncement: OBSERVATION: Sell all you have, give to the poor, and follow me. It might surprise some (or make them uncomfortable) because Jesus tells this man to do something to inherit eternal life, not simply believe // He walked away from Jesus, disheartened and sorrowful // 1. Amazed, 10:24, 2. Exceedingly astonished, 10:26, 3.Asked, “Who can be saved?” 10:28, 4. Said “We have left everything and followed you,”10:28, INTERPRETATION: To renounce something is to formally abandon your claim toown it. You may be in possession of it, but it’s no longer yours. It is God’s // Because itfrees them to follow Him // time, talent, treasure // The most important thing // They would be free to: 1. Spend time with Jesus and prioritize the things that are important toHim; 2. Use “all they have” to love and serve other sin ways that spread the gospel, bothlocally and globally.
Mark 11 – Forgiving Others: OBSERVATION: forgiving others // My house, A house of prayer for all nations, a den of robbers // To forgive anyone we have anything against in prayer (so God our Father may forgive us). INTERPRETATION: Matt. 6:14-15 – If you forgive others then God will forgive you; Eph. 4:32 – Forgive one another as God in Christ forgave you. Col. 3:12-14 – As the Lord has forgiven you, you must also forgive // Becausewe better understand God’s grace in forgiving us our sins when we are called to forgiveothers who have sinned against us // Unforgiveness can make a person bitter, angry, and hard-hearted. If they continue in unforgiveness, it also means they are unwilling to follow a clear command of Jesus.
Mark 12 – Loving Others: OBSERVATION: 6:13 // Jesus quoted two Old Testament verses: Deut. 6:4-5 – Love the Lord & Lev. 19:18 – Love your neighbor. // Jesus answered with two commandments, not one. Also, both commands are about love. INTERPRETATION:love, love, love, love // It helps us renew our minds to think of God’s commands as loving// By 1: Commanding our focus to be on God and others; 2. Making the focus on God andothers center around being loving // Old; God (top), neighbor (right side); “New”. Jesus(top), One another (right side). LIKE: The most important command and the new command both have to do with love and both call us to be others-centered. UNLIKE – thedirection of love has changed from “old” to “new,” meaning we need to receive Christ’slove before we can give His love to one another. Also, the new commandment is morespecific than the old (It’s not God in general but Jesus specifically; It’s not our neighbor in general but one another specifically. // Being a disciple of Jesus is to be growing to loveothers more like Jesus. You can’t be a disciple of Jesus (by definition) without obeying Jesus’ new commandment.
Mark 13 – The Second Coming: OBSERVATION: Temple, Second Coming // The Temple –it would be destroyed // WHEN will these things be? WHAT will be the sign these things are about to be accomplished? // Within this generation // The abomination of desolation // INTERPRETATION: fulfilled in 70AD // Second Coming
Mark 14 – The Lord’s Supper: OBSERVATION: 10 Things. Ate with his disicples, Took bread, Blessed the bread, Broke the bread, Gave the bread to His disciples, Said “Take, this is my body,” Took a cup, Gave thanks, Gave the cup to His disciples, Said “This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many” // The bread = His body & the Cup = His blood. INTERPRETATION: We are to share the Lord’s Supper together for at leasttwo reasons: 1, In remembrance of Jesus; and 2, to proclaim “the Lord’s death until He comes.” // Jesus fulfilled Jer. 31 by establishing the new covenant through His death andresurrection. We celebrate this with the Lord’s Supper // remember, examine, recognize,know.
Mark 15 – Jesus’ Death: OBSERVATION: for our sins // No question. “Breathed His last” – v. 37 & v. 39 // 1. Centurion witnessed His last breath, 2. Women witnessed Jesus’ death, 3. The Roman governor, Pilate, confirmed Jesus’ death, 4. Jesus was buried.INTERPRETATION: Rom. 5:8 – God showed His love through Jesus’ death for us // 1 Cor.15:3 – Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. This truth is of first importance // 1 Pet. 3:18 – Christ died to bring us to God // He died for our sins, deny ourselves and take up our cross daily (Mark 8:34) // At the heart of following Jesus,denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily means we “count ourselves dead to sin” each day and “alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11)
Mark 16 – Jesus’ Resurrection: OBSERVATION: false, fools // Jesus wanted His disciplesto know His resurrection was always part of god’s plan // The women saw the very largestone rolled back, they saw a man dressed in white (=an angel, Matthew 28:2-3), and theyheard him say “He has risen.” INTERPRETATION: The empty tomb (Jesus’ body was neverfound), More than 500 eye-witnesses (1Cor. 15:6), four written eye-witness Gospel accounts (Note: All four Gospels were written before 100AD), and the radically transformed lives of the Apostles // futile, farce // Being baptized is the best way toexpress our faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection because: 1. Jesus commanded us to believe and be baptized (Mk. 16:16); 2. Baptism unites us with Jesus’ death, burial, andresurrection (Rom. 6:5 – “united’ x2) // It is a pledge of allegiance to continue to followChrist. Baptism isn’t an “end” to our discipleship, it is the public “testimony” that we arefollowing, and will continue to follow Jesus our entire life.
