Preparation and Start of Ministry - Mark Chapter 1
This post is part of an 20-day series of the book of Mark. Mark’s gospel often refers to Jesus as Master & Servant and reveals Jesus’s actions and how he meets our spiritual and physical needs. Jesus is revealed as shining the light on the heart of God, demonstrating many promises of the Old Testament in his actions.
Each of Jesus’s actions and teachings embody the character of God, as already revealed in the Old Testament. As Hebrews 1:3 says, ‘The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.’ Each session opens with a biblical promise, reading the passage, and then some observation and interpretation questions follow. The sessions end with personal application questions. After looking at four chapters, there is than a look at passages from the Old Testament which address similar topics and the accompanying questions consider how Jesus reveals the Father. Please feel free to share an application response or comment on the study itself in the section below.
Day 1 – Chapter 1
Promise: As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. - Isaiah 55:10-11
We know from these verses in Isaiah that the Word of God achieves it purpose. We have seen so Genesis: as God spoke, the earth came into being. The Gospels share the life of Jesus, the Word made flesh. Consider first what God desired for Jesus to accomplish, make a note here.
Read Mark Chapter 1.
Jot down Jesus’s actions in the chapter. Indicate which of these activities were preparation (P) and which were Jesus’s ministry (M).
As Jesus began to preach, he taught of the kingdom of God (v 14-15). What must we do to belong to the Kingdom of God?
When Jesus called the disciples, they responded immediately (v 16-20). What does this indicate to you of Jesus?
What was particular about the way that Jesus taught?
How did Jesus respond to the expectations that others put upon him? (37-39, 40)
Describe the scene of prayer that we are told of in this chapter. How did his disciples know of this prayer time?
Mark the jotted list above for those which demonstrate how Jesus was a servant (S) and a master or lord (L). Compare the characteristics Jesus demonstrated as servant and lord. Were there similarities?
From this chapter, what would you say was Jesus’s primary purpose?
Application: What is your primary purpose in this season of life? Consider how Jesus made his priority clear to others. What actions could you take to establish your priority with those around you?
