Mark Lesson 01 (Text: Chapter 1)
Introduction to Mark It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible. It is important to memorize verses and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes, even though we live in a world of constant change. Our friends and families change. Circumstances change. Our thoughts and attitudes change. And all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and steadfast. We can always depend upon His Word. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” and in I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever. In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace and power for each moment of our lives, regardless of our situations or our circumstances. The Word of God also helps newborn babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, as believers in Christ, are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Word of God has always existed and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Read the following verses from the Bible: Psalm 119: 2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165. As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” And in Psalm 119:105 we read: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17
MARK “The Servant of Man”;
KEY VERSE: Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
KEY WORD: Immediately (Straightway). Found 40 times.
THEME: Jesus Christ is presented as the Suffering Servant.
DATE: 50-55 A.D.
WRITER: John Mark (Cousin of Barnabas, Colossians 4:10 – son of Mary of Jerusalem.)
WRITTEN: To: Romans (Gentiles) From: Rome (Probably).
THE BOOK: Number in Bible – 41st Book. Number of Chapters – 16. Number of Verses: 678. Number in Order of Writing – 2nd in New Testament.
PURPOSE: To present our Lord Jesus Christ as Servant.
DIVISIONS: Three Main Divisions of Mark: 1) Introduction and Identification of Servant 2) Miracles and Ministry of Servant 3) From the Transfiguration to the Ascension
OUTLINE: Our outline divides Mark into two sections: 1) The Servant gives His life in Service 2) The Servant gives His life in Sacrifice I. The Servant Gives His Life in Service: 1) The Servant’s Work (1-3) a)The work begun (l) b)The work belittled (2:1, 3:6) c) The work blessed (3:7-19) d) The work blasphemed 2) The Servant’s Words (4-5) a) Exact in Purpose (4:1-34) b) Executive in Power (4:35; 5:43) 3) The Servant’s Ways (6:1, 8:26) a) The attitude of others to God’s Servant (6:1-29) 4) The Servant’s Worth (8:27,9:13) 5) The Servant’s Will (9:14-29) 6) The Servant’s Wisdom (9:30; 10:52) II. The Servant Give His Life in Sacrifice: 1) He Previews the Crisis of Calvary (11-12) 2) He Portrays the Consequences of Calvary (13:14-31) 3) He Permits the Cross of Calvary (14:32; 15:47) 4) He Proves the Crime of Calvary (16) a) By Conquering the grave (16:1-4) b) By Circling the globe (16:15-20)
MISCELLANEOUS: Mark Blessed With: 1) Godly Home (Acts 12:12) 2) Godly Companions (Acts 12:25) 3) Godly Service (II Timothy 4:1)
