Mark Study Guide

How to Use the Study Guide 4

An Introduction to the Gospel of Mark 5

Lesson 7: “The Sower” 6 Mark 4:1-20 Key Verse(s): 4:8-9

Lesson 8: “The Lamp” 8 Text: Mark 4:21-25 Key Verse(s): 4:21

Lesson 9: “The Seed” 10 Text: Mark 4:26-34 Key Verse(s): 4:31-32

At Fellowship Church Pellissippi we aim to be disciples that make disciples. We do this by gathering together for worship and teaching, growing together in disciple-making groups and serving in the church and as the church in our community. Simply put, we Gather, we Grow and We Serve.

The primary way we grow is together and in the Word.

From the very beginning days of the New testament Church disciples would gather together to be encouraged, sharpened, corrected and taught by the Word of God. The Word itself is life-giving. (Hebrews 4:12-13) We can learn from the scripture in our private study – and we should. However, we grow together when we bring those private spiritual moments in to Gospel-centered community. Like fitness, we can exercise alone, but everyone knows the benefits of exercising with someone else. You get pushed and challenged to new heights. You have accountability to show up and participate. These are just a couple of benefits of studying God’s Word in community. This study guide is designed with this in mind.

The Format

Our Study of the Gospel of Mark will be broken down into 5 ‘mini-series’. Each mini-series will explore a particular theme and focus in the Gospel of Mark. Each lesson is based on the scripture passage taught during the Sunday worship gatherings. As a leader and a participant, the lessons will bring the most value when you’ve attended the worship gathering, or listened to the podcast.

Recommendations

Each week review the Scripture passage for the lesson. Make notes or journal what the Spirit is revealing to you. Review the questions ahead of time, jotting down answers in advance. This preparation will make your gathering time more beneficial – not just for you, but for your fellow group members.

In the Bigger Picture: The Gospel of Mark is the second of four “Gospels”. Each of these four Gospels share the same theme: The good news (gospel) about Jesus. This is one of the reasons that you will see familiar stories repeated in the other accounts of Matthew, Luke and John. Reading all of the Gospels gives us a complimentary picture of the life and mission of Jesus, using different perspectives and emphases to tell us one story. This means that while occasionally you may read something that seems to be contradictory, in reality what you are reading is a different flavor of the same substance. Mark, like his fellow Gospel writers, penned down this account under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Though Mark and the other Gospels are inspired, they are written from the author’s own human viewpoint, personality, and for a particular audience. This accounts for an occasional variance in an events details.

The Author: While no inherent claim of authorship is made in the book of Mark, we have considerable evidence that supports John Mark (his formal name, see Acts 12:12) as the author. Mark likely relied on the apostle Peter as a primary source for his Gospel account; we know that Mark and Peter shared a close bond (1 Pt 5:13) and that they worked closely together. He is also notably a cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10). Mark’s failure and restoration is a significant storyline in the New Testament narrative. Paul felt that he was too risky to take a second chance on, but not Barnabas. Barnabas took him on his missionary journey, and the results indicate that Mark was fully restored through Barnabas’ and Peter’s mentorship. Paul even requested that Mark rejoin him in his ministry work (2 Tim 4:11).

Date and Setting: Most scholars believe that Mark was written around 50 A.D. This is a significant date, considering that many of the people mentioned in Mark’s work as witnesses of the life and ministry of Jesus would have still been living when Mark wrote the details.

While Matthew was written primarily to a Jewish audience, Mark seems to be written first and foremost to Roman and Gentile believers. The minimal use of parables, use of Roman time, lack of genealogies, and the explanation of Jewish customs indicates that Mark’s audience would have been Roman/Gentile. Another compelling reason why we believe Mark was specifically writing to Roman and Gentile readers is Mark’s emphasis on the power of Jesus. Throughout Mark’s Gospel, we see references to the power of Jesus made (i.e. Mk 5:30, 9:1, 13:26). Rome was a culture whose attentions were always fixed on gaining power, influence, and becoming dominant forces in the world. Mark showcases many miracles in his account, and he retells the events of Jesus’s life with action-oriented details; this would have made for engaging and interesting reading among the Roman and Gentile crowds.

Theme: Mark presents to us Jesus – unparalleled in human history. His influence and power are on full display. What makes Mark unique is the deeply personal Jesus we see. There is a greater emphasis on Jesus’s actions, often showing mercy and compassion that was extraordinarily counterculture in the times. 5

Mark 4:1-20 Key Verse(s): 4:8-9

“The Sower”

REVIEW: Jesus’ following has grown from crowding out a house to now needing to stand on the shore, so that he might teach the large crowd gathered. “Again he began to teach beside the sea…” (4:1) Jesus instinctively knows that gathering a large crowd doesn’t equal a gathering of authentic followers. His teaching style becomes even more parabolic, so that He might reveal the true disciples who are willing to believe with their whole hearts.

As you study and discuss chapter 4, consider the purpose of parables. You will hear two phrases over and over from our teachers: A parable does two things primarily: 1) It reveals the Kingdom of God and 2) It reveals the condition of our hearts.

REFLECTION: The most important word in Mark chapter 4 is the word “listen” or “hear”. It’s used 13 times and means more than just comprehending words. The present tense Greek verb, “akouō” indicates that one gives consideration and moves to obedience.

Read Mark 4:9. Jesus is describing active listening. Have you struggled at times to be an ‘active’ listener to God’s Word? Why do you think it is that we often want to hear more sermons, Bible studies, podcasts etc., but struggle to apply and obey what we already know?

Read James 1:22. Do you see a similar theme?

Who does the ‘sower’ represent in Mark versed 1-20? Who is represented by the ‘soil’? What is being ‘sown’?

How does recognizing Jesus’ authority change your desire to follow him?

RESPOND:

Have someone read Colossians 1:15–23. Have a different person pray through these points: 1) Praise Jesus because of who he is and the power that he wields. 2) Thank Jesus for working his power in ways that you’ve seen in your life. 3) Praise Jesus for the reconciliation that he brings to us and to the world. 4) Ask for a heart that will see Jesus and understand who he is in his full glory. 5) Ask for the ability to live out his commands and live a holy life to honor him.

Mark 4:21-25 Key Verse(s): 4:21

“The Lamp”

REVIEW: On the heels of the Parable of the Sower Jesus tells the Parable of The Lamp. These parables may seem unrelated on the surface, but they are inextricably connected.

REFLECTION: In these verses Jesus is teaching his followers about the responsibilities that come along with understanding the Word of God and the truth of the Gospel.

Read Mark 4:21-23. Jesus uses rhetorical questions to make a point: What is the primary purpose of light?

By its very nature, light is meant to be revealed. Since light in this passage is a metaphor for the truth found in the Word of God, what should we understand about what Jesus is teaching?

Imagine you are in room with several people and the power goes out. None of the building lights are working, yet people need to see to get out. You have a flashlight in your pocket or purse. What do you do? If people without Jesus are “walking in darkness”, and you have the light of the gospel – what do you do?

John 1:1-14. How does this passage connect to Mark 4?

Read Mark 4:24-25. Again, we see the repeated use of the word “hear”. (Remember, this is active hearing.) What does this repetition teach us?

What is the point that Jesus is making in these two verses? What will happen if we “hear” well?

RESPOND: Spend time this week asking Jesus to not only make you a receptive soil (Verses 1-20), but also a responsive soil. (Verses 21-25)

Text: Mark 4:26-34 Key Verse(s): 4:31-32

“The Seed”

REVIEW: Mark concludes this section of parables by highlighting the Kingdom of God. It is impossible to miss the contrast between God’s Kingdom and man’s kingdoms.

REFLECTION: Verses 1-20 focus on the soil. Verses 26-34 focus on the seed. Consider the work of the farmer. How much of the condition of the soil is his responsibility and under his control? How much of the seed’s biological wonder is under the farmer’s control?

Read Mark 4:26-34. What does the soil in this chapter represent? What does the seed represent?

How much of our heart’s condition is under our control? How much of the power of the Gospel is under our control? What is Jesus trying to teach us here?

Tell us of a time that God's Word was working on you “night and day”, as Jesus says here. [Rephrase if necessary: Do you remember a time when God spoke powerfully to you through His Word, to convert or convict or encourage you?

Isn't it amazing the changes a plant spontaneously undergoes? As Jesus said in verse 28: “All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” A little sprout appears… little leaves grow… every part matures until it flowers and bears fruit. Likewise, God plans to grow you until He finishes what He started in you. Look back on your Christian life and reflect on how you've grown. How are you different now than when your Christian life first sprouted?

Read Mark 4:30-34. What happens in Christ's third parable about planting? How does this illustrate the kingdom of God?

(The King came modestly, with no earthly power, and with only a few acknowledging His rule, but history has seen His kingdom expand to include millions the world over.)

RESPOND: Let this passage encourage us in our efforts to spread the Gospel. However fruitless our efforts may seem, we never know what life-giving action is happening underground. In this passage, Christ's message was receiving a cold reception – from Pharisees and even family. But Jesus wanted the disciples, and us, to know that what is observable on the surface may not be an accurate measure of the final outcome. After sowing our seed, we can relax, knowing it's not our job to convert people. The Holy Spirit speaks life into hearts through the Word. As we go to prayer, let's praise God for the mysterious power His Word has to grow our faith and bring new life to those we share it with.