From March 21 through May 23 (skipping Easter and Mother’s Day) we will be hosting a Bible study in the Gospel of Mark called Christianity Explored. This eight week introduction to the life and teaching of Jesus is an excellent overview of the gospel. We encourage all new believers and all who are new to Oakwood to go through this course because it provides a clear understanding of the good news that is central to all we believe and do. Contact Pastor Darin to sign up!
Pastor Rico Tice of All Souls Church in London says in session one: “If you hear this message and it doesn’t sound like the best news you’ve ever heard, you can be absolutely certain you have not yet understood it.”
Click here to download the schedule, topics and texts. You can watch the whole first session here:
Using your RightNow Media account you can go through this whole study by yourself or with a friend. The series is here. It is an excellent tool to use with one or two friends who are curious about Jesus and the Bible. We have found it especially useful for those who are uncertain about going to heaven or unclear about how to get there. The gospel of Mark brings the issues into sharp clarity in terms of the problem of sin – “the heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart” – and the cure of the cross.
Look at the beauty and simplicity of how Mark structured his gospel account:
- The Good News about Jesus! “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” Mark 1:1
- The authority of Jesus. “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!” Mark 4:41
- The problem of sin. “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.” Mark 2:17
- The necessity of the cross. “The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom” Mark 10:45
- The glory of the resurrection. “He has risen! Just as he told you.” Mark 16:6-7
- The amazing nature of grace! “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17
- The question. “Who do you say I am?” Mark 8:29
- The invitation. “If anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34
The first four chapters present the authority of Jesus over disease, demons, teaching – even death. Chapter four concludes with Jesus’ command that silences a deadly storm, causing the disciples to wonder, “Who is this?” The center of the sixteen chapter book is chapter eight when Jesus asks the disciples “What about you? Who do you say that I am?” He then goes on to describe His plan to suffer and die – which did not fit their expectation of what the Messianic King of Israel would do. But that was essential to the plan: Jesus had to die so we could live. The cross was the necessary payment for your sin and mine. The resurrection was the proof that this payment was sufficient – accepted by the Father.
The gospel of Mark clearly presents Jesus as God’s only chosen King – not just the King of the Jews, but the King of all Kings. He has authority over everything and everyone – including you and me. Yet this eternal, all-glorious King came not to rule, but to lay down His life to pay for our sin. Now it is up to us whether we will trust in His sacrifice and commit our lives to following Him.
“What about you? Who do you say that I am?”