BY: Tim Chilvers
DATE: Sunday 10 September 2023

‘BIBLE PASSAGES: Read online
Mark – Chapter 1, verses 9-28

EXCERPT:
Relationships are so important, aren’t they? Friendships; colleagues; communities; families; partners. They give such joy and such pain. But why? Maybe it’s because at the heart of the story of our lives is a relationship that most of us don’t think about – God’s relationship. Why is the relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit so important? Why is it such a key part of the story of Jesus, and of our lives? We’ll discover the authority that relationship gives Jesus, as we discover he wasn’t just another good teacher. And this, changes everything.

TRANSCRIPT:
Please scroll to the bottom of this page. 

Each week there are TWO different sets of questions for you to use, whether you are exploring the Bible within your Life Group, in other group settings, or simply using them on your own.

A | DISCUSSION STARTERS
These are simple questions to provoke discussion together out of the talk (ideal if you are watching our Sunday Service online with others in your group):

1 | Was there anything that particularly helped you during the talk?

2 | Was there anything that you didn’t necessarily agree with, or found difficult to understand in the talk?

3 | As a result of the talk, what:

a. Changes do you want to see?

b. Truths do you need to remember?

c. Actions do you need to take?

B | QUESTIONS TO EXPLORE
These are questions that are based on the talk and the surrounding themes:

Read: Mark – Chapter 1, verses 9-28

1 | When you think of ‘God’, what do you think of?

2 |What do we learn about the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit during Jesus’ baptism? How does this impact our understanding of who God is? (See also Matthew 3:13-17 and 2 Corinthians 13:14)

3 | What difference does it make to realise that God is a relational god?

4 |Explore the significance of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Why is this such good news? (See also Hebrews 4:15 and 1 Corinthians 10:13)

5 | In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus proclaims the gospel of the kingdom of God. Referring to Luke 4:18-19, Acts 2:38-39 and Romans 14:17, discuss what this message entails and how it differs from conventional messages in our society.

6 |Why did Jesus call Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples while they were fishing? What qualities do you think Jesus saw in them, and how can we apply these principles when sharing the gospel with others?

7 |Jesus’ authority is demonstrated in his teaching and through his power over unclean spirits. How does Jesus’ authority challenge our perceptions of leadership and power in society today?

8 | Explore the people’s response to Jesus’ authority and teachings in the synagogue. What can we learn from their astonishment and how they spread the news about Him? (See also Acts 4:19-20 and Acts 17:11)

9 | You may like to pray for someone you know, by name, who needs to know the authority and power of Jesus.

As you explore these questions pray for one another to deepen and develop your relationship with Jesus.

BOOK:
King’s Cross’ by Timothy Keller

Unpredictable yet reliable, gentle yet powerful, authoritative yet humble, human yet divine.’ Respected pastor and bestselling author Tim Keller takes a deep and thought-provoking look at the life of Christ. Drawing from Mark’s gospel, he explains how Jesus’ identity as king and his purpose in dying on the cross have meaning and significance on a cosmic scale as well as for the individual. THE REASON FOR GOD gave a passionate and intellectually compelling case for God, while THE PRODIGAL GOD explored the gospel’s central message of grace. Now KING’S CROSS gives a captivating account of the person at the heart of it all: Jesus. Written in Keller’s trademark authoritative yet inviting style, this book will unlock new insights for believers and unbelievers alike. (Source)

COMMENTARY:
‘The Gospel According to Mark’ by James R. Edwards

This new Pillar volume offers exceptional commentary on Mark that clearly shows the second Gospel—though it was a product of the earliest Christian community—to be both relevant and sorely needed in today’s church.

Written by a biblical scholar who has devoted thirty years to the study of the second Gospel, this commentary aims primarily to interpret the Gospel of Mark according to its theological intentions and purposes, especially as they relate to the life and ministry of Jesus and the call to faith and discipleship. Unique features of James Edwards’s approach include clear descriptions of key terms used by Mark and revealing discussion of the Gospel’s literary features, including Mark’s use of the “sandwich” technique and of imagistic motifs and irony. Edwards also proposes a new paradigm for interpreting the difficult “Little Apocalypse” of chapter 13, and he argues for a new understanding of Mark’s controversial ending. (Source)

VIDEO:
‘Gospel of Mark Summary’ by The Bible Project

Watch this overview video on the book of Mark, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Mark demonstrates that Jesus is Israel’s Messiah who inaugurates God’s kingdom through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

Coming Soon