A sample of "Bible Alive" studies

This is a sample page of Bible Studies from chapter 1 of Mark's Gospel in the New Testament, from the "Bible Alive" series.  This particular set of notes is for those who have never done something like this before, i.e. complete beginners, and so has no commentary, but simply spaces for answers. There are 7 studies here.

Mark's Gospel , chapter 1 - Beginners

Bible Alive Studies : Rochford, Essex

(c) 1997

INTRODUCTION

Mark's Gospel:

This is the shortest and in many ways, the most easy-to-read Gospel. Written, it is believed, by the young man, Mark, at the dictation of the apostle Peter, it has a certain haste or urgency to it. It is probably the earliest Gospel, written somewhere about AD50.   Although it has many similarities to Matthew and Luke, it appears to have been written more with a Roman readership in mind rather than Jewish or Greek respectively with the other two. Unlike the other two it does not have any birth narratives, but is never the less a sharp and vivid account of the key three years of Jesus' ministry.

What we will see:

In these studies in Mark's Gospel we will see:

- the coming of John the Baptist preparing the way

- Jesus' baptism by John

- first confrontation with Satan, in the wilderness

- calling the first four disciples

- having authority over:

- sickness, death, demons, the natural elements

- having opposition from

- religious leaders, his own family, ordinary unbelievers

What we should notice:

In these first chapters of Mark's Gospel, notice particularly the clash of the two kingdoms: God's kingdom expressed through Jesus, and Satan's kingdom. Notice how Jesus confronts Satan and his demons and how Satan challenges Jesus through his followers, the deceived religious people of the day. Notice also how Jesus has complete authority to deal with the works of Satan, the sickness and demon possession that was rife in the country.

PART 1 : The Start of Ministry

In this first Part we will see the interweaving of John's and Jesus' ministries followed by the calling of Jesus' first disciples. This is followed immediately by confrontation with the enemy in the form of a demon and then Jesus' general ministry dealing with demons and healing the sick. Jesus' popularity becomes a problem to his ministry.

Study No.1 : "Jesus Announced" : Mark 1:1-8

A. Find Out :

1. WHO is the Gospel about? v.1 (Note: not WHAT)

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2. What was the messenger to do? v.3

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3. What TWO things did John come doing? v.4

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4. What did the people do before being baptised? v.5

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5. How did he describe the one coming after him? v.7

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6. What would the one following DO? v.8

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B. Think :

1. How "successful" was John the Baptist? Why?

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2. What may we learn from that?

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3. How may WE prepare the way for Jesus with other people?

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C. Application?

1. Tell the Lord today that you love Him. Acknowledge before Him your need of a living relationship with Him.

2. Ask Him to help make these studies come alive to you to help bring a new sparkle to your relationship with Him.

Study No.2 : "Jesus' Baptism" : Mark 1:9-13

A. Find Out :

1. Where was Jesus baptised? v.9

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2. When did heaven appear to open? v.10

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3. How did the Spirit appear as it came down? v.10

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4. How did God's voice identify Jesus? v.11

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5. Where did the Spirit then send Jesus? v.12

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6. What happened to him there? v.13

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B. Think :

1. Why do you think Jesus was being baptised? (Look up Matthew 3:15 to check your answer)

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2. Why do you think God by His Spirit sent Jesus into the desert?

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3. What reasons may there be for us going through dry, difficult and testing times?

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C. Application?

1. Jesus commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19). Have you followed in Jesus' footsteps and been baptised?

2. What is the cause if you are in a testing time?

Study No.3 : "Jesus calls Disciples": Mark 1:14-20

A. Find Out :

1. What was Jesus proclaiming? v.14

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2. What did he say was near? v.15

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3. What TWO things did he call the people to do? v.15

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4. Which two fishermen did he call first? v.16

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5. What did he say he would make them? v.17

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6. What had they to do? v.17

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B. Think :

1. Who rules over a kingdom?

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2. What is a kingdom?

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3. Why do people need to repent before they can enter God's kingdom?

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C. Application?

1. Jesus wants to bring God's rule God's blessing into your life. Thank Him for that and purpose to allow Him to do that today.

2. Thank Him that He has a plan and a purpose that is unique for you.

Study No.4 : "Dealing with a Demon" : Mark 1:21 -28

A. Find Out :

1. What did the people feel about Jesus' teaching ? v.22

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2. Why? v.22

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3. What was wrong with the man in the synagogue? v.23

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4. How did he describe Jesus? v.24

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5. What happened when Jesus commanded him? v.25,26

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6. How did the people feel about this? Why? v.27

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B. Think :

1. Why were the people amazed at Jesus' teaching?

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2. What does this say about the sort of teaching that they were used to from their own teachers?

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3. Why were the people amazed when Jesus cast out the demon?

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C. Application?

1. Ask the Lord to so teach you through His word that you will become a person of authority whose heart beats with their heavenly Father's heart.

2. Ask Him to help you become a "doer" not merely a "knower"!

Study No.5 : "Jesus' Healing Mission " : Mark 1:29 -34

A. Find Out :

1. Whose home did they go to? v.29

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2. What was wrong with Simon's mother-in-law? v.30

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3. What did Jesus do about her? v.31

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4. Who were brought to Jesus? v.32

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5. Who gathered there? v.33

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6. What did Jesus do? v.34

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B. Think :

1. How do you think Jesus felt by the end of a day?

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2. What does it say about him that he carried on healing all who came?

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3. Previously Jesus had spoken about God's kingdom, or God's rule coming. How is that seen in these few verses?

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C. Application?

1. In John 14:12 we are told all who have faith in Jesus will do what He did. Do we?

2. Do we follow Jesus' example of availability?

Study No.6 : " Jesus Prays " : Mark 1:35 -39

A. Find Out :

1. When did Jesus go out to pray? v.35

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2. Where did he go to pray? v.35

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3. Who went to look for Jesus? v.36

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4. What did they want to tell Jesus? v.37

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5. Why did Jesus suggest moving on? v.38

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6. Where did Jesus carry on preaching? v.39

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B. Think :

1. List reasons that stop us praying

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2. Why do you think Jesus NEEDED to pray?

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3. What can we DO to help ourselves have a regular prayer time?

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C. Application?

1. Ask the Lord to help you in this matter of prayer, to help you take the time, make the time and use the time to be with Him.

2. Tell Him today that you love Him and want to know Him more.