# data[].attributes.body
For show and to set the tradition as a leader

# data[].attributes.body
To look righteous

# data[].attributes.body
Common practice back in those days, to be renewed? To be born again and to remember that we have committed to this faith after baptising?

# data[].attributes.body
To remember the significance of the intention of why people want to be convicted about something

# data[].attributes.body
Cleansing of the body

# data[].attributes.body
The difference is that God calls Levi from the dinner table, where Jesus can pick and calls his disciples at any point in time according to his will.

Jesus picks out both sinners who are weak like us to be his disciple.

# data[].attributes.body
He recruits ordinary man and not scholars

# data[].attributes.body
Jesus came to the sinners both, Levi and the first group of the disciples that you are referring

# data[].attributes.headline
Optional Study - The Offense Of Jesus (Leader's Guide Pg 25-31)

# data[].attributes.subject
Optional Study - The Offense Of Jesus (Leader's Guide Pg 25-31)

# data[].attributes.body
1. Read 2:18-19. a) Why do people fast? (What does it accomplish?)
b) Why do you think John’s disciples fasted so much? (read 1:4-5)
c) Why do you think the Pharisees’ disciples fasted so much?

2. Look at 2:18b. What does the complaint against Jesus and his followers tell us about their attitude and conduct?

3. Read 2:19-20. a) Does Jesus forbid fasting here or anywhere?
b) Who is the “bridegroom” of Israel? What is Jesus claiming here?

4. Look at 2:20-21. Jesus continues to speak here about how his coming changes traditional religious practices. What is he saying?

5. Read 2:23-3:6. a) What is Jesus saying about himself when he says I am “Lord of the Sabbath?” b) How does Jesus show that they are missing the “point” of the Sabbath — and what is that “point”’?

6. How can you help your group spot the hallmarks of a modern “evangelical Pharisee”?

# data[].attributes.body
Matthew the Tax Collector
13 Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them. 14 As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

15 Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting
18 The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”

19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. 20 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”

27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Healing on the Sabbath
3 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored [c]as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

# data[].attributes.body
I always thought this sentence was abit sarcastic cause there will be no one that is righteous and that was what Jesus wanted to mean

# data[].attributes.body
Your sins are forgiven
cause no-one will really know if that is true

# data[].attributes.body
Because a sinner cannot forgive a sinner

# data[].attributes.body
so he got more than what he bargained for?

# data[].attributes.body
Jesus address them as "
sons"

# data[].attributes.body
Compassion?

# data[].attributes.body
He touched the man ?

# data[].attributes.body
Jesus was indignant (v41)

# data[].attributes.body
Learn to submit and see how our Lord lead us from there through our lives. You can see how God is working in our lives that cannot be explained.

# data[].attributes.body
I think the statement is only partially correct. So we are still the one making the choices but we have to fully submit to his will.

# data[].attributes.body
It shows his authority where he not just as the power to preach but the power to heal and over the demons.

# data[].attributes.body
I like the last part where the demon knew who God was, it shows God fullest authority as king and a ruler.

# data[].attributes.body
miracle healers/ faith healing. some teachers are teaching that they can chase out spirits with enough faith. I guess its not what we believe in.

# data[].attributes.body
It shows he have authority over even the spirits

# data[].attributes.body
authority over spirits

# data[].attributes.body
This is interesting where Mark uses the word with "authority". It shows that God is not just a normal teacher but shows a wise figure where is a leader who teaches

# data[].attributes.body
They can be normal people that God chooses to serve. This is interesting as God didn't choose the wise but those who are moved and are willing.

# data[].attributes.body
1. In verses 16-20, what do we learn about the kingdom?
- Come under Jesus' authority in all areas of our life.
i) work life
ii) family life
- Calls for change & decisive action
- An exclusive commitment to Jesus

2. What do verses 21-22 teach about the kingdom of God?
- Intellectual authority
- "Truly I say to you", "Verily, verily"

3. What do verses 23-28 teach us about the kingdom of God? Despite modern
prejudices against the idea of demon-possession, how does the existence of
evil spirits help us explain what goes on in the world?
- Authority over supernatural evil.
- Complex psychological problems.
- Systemic social evil.

4. Over what area of life do verses 29-34 show his authority? What do we learn
about the kingdom here?
- Physical authority (deeds)
- Christians must also meet both spiritual needs & physical needs.

5. People today struggle with the idea that we must absolutely submit all of our
thinking and practice to the Lordship of Christ. How can we answer a person
who struggles like that?
- If Jesus is not your king, sth else is. "False gods".

# data[].attributes.body
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was

# data[].attributes.body
I still don't get why this chapter is called " your gospel is too small?"

# data[].attributes.body
God prepared a way for Jesus baptism

# data[].attributes.body
"The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"

# data[].attributes.body
Renewal and a new life?

# data[].attributes.body
submissive attitude

# data[].attributes.body
confession, repentance,and reconciliation as mention in romans

# data[].attributes.body
He is the messiah they were waiting for

# data[].attributes.body
Jesus is the Son of God

# data[].attributes.body
Comfort for God’s People
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling:
“In the desert prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the wilderness
a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

# data[].attributes.body
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man
2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners
13 Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

15 While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

# data[].attributes.body
John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2 It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way”—
3 “a voice of one calling in the desert,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

The Calling of the First Disciples

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

# data[].attributes.headline
Study 1 - "Your Gospel Is Too Small" Questions

# data[].attributes.subject
Study 1 - "Your Gospel Is Too Small" Questions

# data[].attributes.body
1. Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and then cf. with Mark 1:1-4. What is Mark telling us about
the identity of Jesus?

2. How, specifically, does John ‘pave the way’ for the Lord? i.e. What do verses 4-
8 tell us about how the Messiah, the king, is to be received?

3. What do verses 9-13 tell us about what ‘the baptism of the Spirit’ means and
brings to us?

4. What do verses 14-15 tell us about the essential message of the King?
a) What is explained? b) What is left “mysterious” and unexplained in Jesus
proclamation?

5. Everyone notices the abruptness and breathless speed of Mark’s narrative
style. Everything happens so quickly, all the statements and descriptions are
extremely terse and direct. What do you think Mark is trying to get across?

6. What was the most helpful or impressive thing that you learned today
personally? What practical application can you make from today’s lesson?

# data[].attributes.body
1. In verses 1:35-39, what about Jesus’ reaction to his new popularity seems
surprising? What do we learn here about Jesus’ personal priorities?

- Got up to pray very early in a solitary place for a long time
- Jesus said they should immediately leave

i) Prayer
ii) Balance between Word & Deed
ii) Popularity is NOT his priority

2. In verses 1:40-45, what is surprising about how Jesus heals the leper? What do
we learn from his method?

Jesus touched the man.
i) Jesus' touch was compassionate and met the leper's emotional needs.
ii) Jesus was declaring himself to be the source of cleanness, and was to make cermonial laws become obsolete.

3. In verses 2:1-5, how is Jesus’ treatment of the paralytic surprising? What is
Jesus teaching us?

- Jesus forgives his sins instead of healing him, showing that getting right with God is more important than physical healing.
- Jesus is "aggressive in granting forgiveness". There is no "right " way to be forgiven.

4. In verses 2:6-12, why do both Jesus (v. 10) and the teachers (v. 7) say it takes
authority to forgive sins?

- To forgive someone else's sins means that every sin is against him, thus saying he is God.
- To forgive someone's sins means he can pay for those sins, and only God can do that.

5. In verse 2:9, what is the answer to Jesus’ question? What is his point in
asking it?

- Anyone can say "your sins are forgiven", but I can prove it.
- Jesus is saying, if I can raise him, I can forgive him.

6. In verses 2:13-17, what do the terms “sinners” and “righteous” mean as used in these verses? How is this unexpected and surprising? What is Jesus teaching here?

- Those who we think are interested in Christianity (ie the moral/righteous) are always the least interested in real Christianity (once it is explained to them). People that we think are least interested (the "big" sinners) are always the most interested in real Christianiy.

7. In verses 2:13-17, how does Levi and his calling differ from the earlier disciples and their callings (see 1:16-17)? What similarity is there? What does that teach us about Jesus? About us?

- Fishermen are blue-collar and respected, while Tax Collectors are rich but hated. [Differences]
There is no "religious type" that Jesus calls.

- Similarity: Jesus says "Follow Me". Call is totalitarian, no negotiation, interruptive, with absolute authority. No competition in our hearts with Jesus.

8. What is the theme that binds 1:35-2:1-17 together? Also, make a list of what surprising things we learn about Jesus himself.

- Jesus finds the "hard cases"
- Jesus has no prejudices (all are sick)
- Jesus' forgiveness changes us
- Jesus is not just a doctor of bodies; he forgives
- It is possible to be fascinated with Jesus and seek material/emotional things from him but not be converted.

# data[].attributes.body
Hi! Welcome to the study of the Book of Mark.
Please see lesson notes/calendar here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10Eeox_YBbbL4e-a_bjgQKCDE2C7otctA?usp=sharing