christian scriptures
As part of the confirmation process, we will all be reading the gospel of Mark. It is arguably the earliest gospel and definately the shortest. Please read through this introduction to the Gospel of Mark. If you are interested, click the link and explore more information about the Gospel of Mark.
You will be asked to read one or two chapters between each face to face meeting with your mentor. To make this easier, there is both a spoken and written chapter attached to each link below. Please read through the introduction below and watch the video introduction of the gospel before you begin your reading.
Journal Writing:
Please keep notes in your journal about what interests you in each chapter.
What questions does it bring up?
Is there anything that surprises you?
How does it connect with your own life story?
Who do you think the writer of this Gospel thought Jesus was?
Do you agree?
How is reading/listening to the gospel story in this way different from how you have experienced it before?
You will be asked to read one or two chapters between each face to face meeting with your mentor. To make this easier, there is both a spoken and written chapter attached to each link below. Please read through the introduction below and watch the video introduction of the gospel before you begin your reading.
Journal Writing:
Please keep notes in your journal about what interests you in each chapter.
What questions does it bring up?
Is there anything that surprises you?
How does it connect with your own life story?
Who do you think the writer of this Gospel thought Jesus was?
Do you agree?
How is reading/listening to the gospel story in this way different from how you have experienced it before?
The gospel of mark
Read Chapter 1
Read Chapter 2
Read Chapter 3
Read Chapter 4
Read Chapter 5
Read Chapter 6
Read Chapter 7
Read Chapter 8
Read Chapter 9
Read Chapter 10
Read Chapter 11
Read Chapter 12
Read Chapter 13
Read Chapter 14
Read Chapter 15
Read Chapter 16
Read Chapter 2
Read Chapter 3
Read Chapter 4
Read Chapter 5
Read Chapter 6
Read Chapter 7
Read Chapter 8
Read Chapter 9
Read Chapter 10
Read Chapter 11
Read Chapter 12
Read Chapter 13
Read Chapter 14
Read Chapter 15
Read Chapter 16
Summary
The Gospel of Mark focuses attention on the last week of Jesus' life and his
death in Jerusalem. Frequent appearances of the adverb immediately in
this Gospel express the urgency of Jesus' journey to the cross. This journey
begins at the inauguration of Jesus' ministry, commencing right away with his
baptism and testing in the wilderness. As Jesus repeatedly announces his coming
suffering, death, and resurrection, the Gospel of Mark draws its readers into
the unfolding drama of Jesus' death and resurrection.
So What?
The opening words of the Gospel according to Mark, "The beginning of the good
news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," are more than a title to the Gospel.
They draw the hearer or reader into the entire account, connecting us with the
good news itself. Whatever the parable, miracle, teaching, or story from the
life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, the good news (literally, the
gospel) of Jesus Christ breaks into our lives.
Where Do I Find It?
The Gospel according to Mark is the second book in the New Testament. It sits
between two books that speak about Jesus from a similar perspective, the
Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Who Wrote It?
The specific author whom we call "the evangelist Mark" remains purposefully
unknown to us. The evangelist's intention in composing the Gospel is not to
draw attention to self, but to Jesus' proclamation of the good news (gospel) in
word and deed.
When Was It Written?
The Gospel of Mark is considered the earliest written of the four Gospels. It
is impossible to determine whether it was put into written form before or after
the siege of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., but this event is a landmark for situating
the time of Mark's composition. Certainly the death of the earliest generation
of Christians around this same time also brought an urgency for the story of
the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth to be kept alive in
written form for succeeding generations.
What's It About?
The Gospel of Mark is about the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ, who is
identified as one from Nazareth at his baptism, recognized as God's Son by
fearful demonic spirits, and proclaimed as the resurrected Lord by a young man
in a white robe. In Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen, the reign and rule
of God's kingdom has come among us.
How Do I Read It?
The Gospel expectantly invites its readers with its opening verse. That verse
promises that the good news of the living presence of God's reign and rule
breaks into our lives through every parable, miracle, teaching, or event in the
life of Jesus. The Gospel leads us to the foot of the cross, where we witness
the confession of the centurion. The Gospel also leads us to the empty tomb,
where we witness the proclamation of the young man. In Mark, Jesus is the
crucified and resurrected Christ who promises to go before us into the world
with the good news.
AUTHOR: Paul S. Berge, Emeritus Professor of New Testament
The Gospel of Mark focuses attention on the last week of Jesus' life and his
death in Jerusalem. Frequent appearances of the adverb immediately in
this Gospel express the urgency of Jesus' journey to the cross. This journey
begins at the inauguration of Jesus' ministry, commencing right away with his
baptism and testing in the wilderness. As Jesus repeatedly announces his coming
suffering, death, and resurrection, the Gospel of Mark draws its readers into
the unfolding drama of Jesus' death and resurrection.
So What?
The opening words of the Gospel according to Mark, "The beginning of the good
news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God," are more than a title to the Gospel.
They draw the hearer or reader into the entire account, connecting us with the
good news itself. Whatever the parable, miracle, teaching, or story from the
life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, the good news (literally, the
gospel) of Jesus Christ breaks into our lives.
Where Do I Find It?
The Gospel according to Mark is the second book in the New Testament. It sits
between two books that speak about Jesus from a similar perspective, the
Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Who Wrote It?
The specific author whom we call "the evangelist Mark" remains purposefully
unknown to us. The evangelist's intention in composing the Gospel is not to
draw attention to self, but to Jesus' proclamation of the good news (gospel) in
word and deed.
When Was It Written?
The Gospel of Mark is considered the earliest written of the four Gospels. It
is impossible to determine whether it was put into written form before or after
the siege of Jerusalem in 70 C.E., but this event is a landmark for situating
the time of Mark's composition. Certainly the death of the earliest generation
of Christians around this same time also brought an urgency for the story of
the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth to be kept alive in
written form for succeeding generations.
What's It About?
The Gospel of Mark is about the good news (gospel) of Jesus Christ, who is
identified as one from Nazareth at his baptism, recognized as God's Son by
fearful demonic spirits, and proclaimed as the resurrected Lord by a young man
in a white robe. In Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen, the reign and rule
of God's kingdom has come among us.
How Do I Read It?
The Gospel expectantly invites its readers with its opening verse. That verse
promises that the good news of the living presence of God's reign and rule
breaks into our lives through every parable, miracle, teaching, or event in the
life of Jesus. The Gospel leads us to the foot of the cross, where we witness
the confession of the centurion. The Gospel also leads us to the empty tomb,
where we witness the proclamation of the young man. In Mark, Jesus is the
crucified and resurrected Christ who promises to go before us into the world
with the good news.
AUTHOR: Paul S. Berge, Emeritus Professor of New Testament