Mark
Mark
40 studies, in the order they were taught. All series
Mark: Jesus the Servant King
Mark 1:1–13
Starting Mark's gospel, the theme is that Jesus came not to be served but to serve and give his life. The good news begins with John the Baptist, baptism and temptation.
Follow Me: The First Disciples
Mark 1:16–22
Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James and John from their fishing nets. They leave everything to follow him, and we are invited to take that step of faith.
Jesus Heals and Keeps His Identity Quiet
Mark 1:21–45
Jesus teaches in Capernaum, heals many and cleanses a leper, yet tries to keep things quiet. We should seek the Blesser and not only his blessings.
Forgiving and Healing a Paralyzed Man
Mark 2:1–17
Four friends lower a paralyzed man through a roof, and Jesus forgives and heals him. He then eats with sinners, saying he came to call sinners, not the righteous.
Fasting, Wineskins and the Sabbath
Mark 2:18–28
Jesus is asked why his disciples don't fast or keep the Sabbath as others do. He says the new kingdom cannot fit old rules, and the Sabbath was made for people.
Healing on the Sabbath and Choosing the Twelve
Mark 3:1–19
Jesus heals a man's withered hand on the Sabbath, angering the Pharisees. He then chooses twelve apostles to be with him first, and then be sent out.
A House Divided and the Unpardonable Sin
Mark 3:20–35
His family thinks Jesus is out of his mind and leaders say demons power him. He says a divided house cannot stand, explains the unpardonable sin, and calls those who do God's will family.
The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:1–20
Jesus tells of a farmer scattering seed on four kinds of soil. Only good soil bears fruit, so we ask what kind of heart we have.
Light, Measure and Growing Seed
Mark 4:21–34
Jesus teaches that a lamp is meant to be seen, and the seed grows by God's power as we scatter it. The kingdom starts small like a mustard seed and grows large.
Victory Over the Storm and the Legion
Mark 4:35–5:20
Jesus calms a violent storm and frees a man from a legion of demons. He has authority over danger and evil, so we do not need to fear.
Faith Over Fear: Jairus and the Woman
Mark 5:21–43
Jesus heals a woman who touches his cloak and raises Jairus's daughter. Faith, not fear, opens the way for God's power, even over death.
John's Death and Feeding the 5,000
Mark 6:14–44
Herod hears of Jesus and recalls beheading John the Baptist. Jesus then feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, showing compassion and the call to serve.
What Really Makes Us Unclean
Mark 7:1–23
Pharisees criticize the disciples for ignoring hand-washing traditions. Jesus says what makes us unclean comes from the heart, not from outside, and it is God's law over human tradition.
Bread for All: Gentiles Fed and Healed
Mark 7:24–8:10
Jesus answers a Gentile woman's faith, heals a deaf man, and feeds four thousand. He cares for all people, and there is always enough bread of life.
Take Up Your Cross
Mark 8:11–38
Jesus warns against the Pharisees' yeast, heals a blind man, and Peter confesses he is the Messiah. Jesus then calls his followers to deny themselves and take up the cross.
Jesus Shines on the Mountain
Mark 9:1–13
On a mountain, Jesus shines with glory before Peter, James and John, and the Father calls him his Son. The glory to come waits on the other side of suffering.
Help My Unbelief
Mark 9:14–29
A father asks Jesus to heal his son after the disciples fail. Jesus says all things are possible to one who believes, and prayer is what the disciples lacked.
The Greatest Is the Servant
Mark 9:33–37
The disciples argue about who is greatest, and Jesus says whoever wants to be first must be last and serve all. Greatness is found serving those at the back of the line.
Don't Stop Others or Cause Stumbling
Mark 9:38–50
The disciples try to stop a man who casts out demons in Jesus's name, and Jesus corrects them. He warns against causing others to stumble and calls us to be salty.
Jesus Teaches on Marriage and Divorce
Mark 10:1–12
Pharisees test Jesus about divorce, and he points back to God's design for marriage at creation. We should be both truthful and gracious.
Letting Go to Enter the Kingdom
Mark 10:13–31
Jesus welcomes children and says we must receive his kingdom like one. A rich man cannot let go of his wealth, and the first will be last.
Paradoxes of the Kingdom
Mark 10:32–52
Jesus says he will die in Jerusalem, and tells James and John that greatness comes by serving. Blind Bartimaeus asks boldly for sight and receives it.
Fig Tree, Temple and Faith-Filled Prayer
Mark 11:1–25
Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt, curses a fruitless fig tree and drives out temple merchants. He teaches that prayer, with faith and forgiveness, can move mountains.
Whose Authority? The Wicked Tenants
Mark 11:27–12:12
Religious leaders challenge Jesus's authority and he answers with a question. He then tells of tenants who refuse the owner, and we are stewards, not owners, of what God gives.
Taxes and the Resurrection
Mark 12:13–27
Jesus answers trick questions about paying taxes and the resurrection. Those who use Scripture to back their own ideas miss it, but those who trust Scripture know God raises the dead.
The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28–37
A teacher asks which commandment is greatest. Jesus answers love God fully and love your neighbor, and he asks how the Messiah can be David's son and Lord.
The Widow's Offering
Mark 12:38–44
Jesus warns about teachers who love show, then watches a poor widow give all she has. God values a faithful heart and a view toward eternity over appearances.
Not One Stone Left
Mark 13:1–13
Jesus tells his disciples the temple will be torn down and warns of wars, false teachers and persecution. We should stand firm and not let outer chaos stir chaos within.
Watch and Be Ready
Mark 13:14–37
Jesus describes hard times and his return in the Olivet discourse. We cannot know the day, so we stay alert and faithful, making disciples until he returns.
Mary's Extravagant Offering
Mark 14:1–11
A woman pours out costly perfume on Jesus, anointing him for burial, while others criticize and Judas plots betrayal. Obedience to the Spirit's nudge is worship.
The Last Supper: A Meal of Grace
Mark 14:12–26
Jesus shares the Passover meal with his disciples, knowing Judas will betray him. He serves him anyway, showing grace to the end, and communion celebrates it.
Watch and Pray
Mark 14:27–38
Jesus warns that all will fall away. Peter insists he never will, then falls asleep in Gethsemane. When the flesh is weak, we need prayer.
Betrayed with a Kiss
Mark 14:39–52
Jesus prays a third time, then Judas betrays him with a kiss and the disciples run away. We should ask whether we would have stayed.
Jesus on Trial and Peter's Denial
Mark 14:53–72
Jesus stands before the religious council and claims to be the Messiah, while Peter denies knowing him three times. Jesus looks at Peter with love.
Jesus Before Pilate
Mark 15:1–15
Pilate questions Jesus and knows he is innocent, yet gives in to the crowd. Jesus's kingdom is not of this world, and his truth sets us free.
The Death of Jesus
Mark 15:16–39
Jesus is mocked, crucified and dies on the cross, and the temple curtain tears in two. Few understood, but the Roman centurion declared him the Son of God.
Burial of Jesus: Joseph and Nicodemus
Mark 15:42–47
The gospel writers work to show Jesus was truly dead. Two followers, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, step forward to bury him with courage when others had fled.
He Is Risen
Mark 16:1–8
Women go to the tomb and find it empty, and an angel says Jesus has risen. The story is hard to believe, which gives it credibility, and Jesus's life gives us life.
Peter Restored on the Beach
John 21:1–22
The risen Jesus meets his disciples at the Sea of Galilee. He forgives Peter's three denials with three questions of love and calls him to feed his sheep.
The Ascension and the Great Commission
Acts 1:1–11
Jesus ascends to heaven after telling his followers to wait for the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses. Our job is to spread the flame until he returns.