Discipleship: According to Mark

on September 20, 2022

This study is intended to take the participants through the Gospel of Mark considering the issues of how we are to read Mark, its message, and the implications that Mark has for our lives. It’s our hope that working through the material in a small group will help meet some of those goals. Others will be met as leaders and participants connect. We hope in engaging this together, participants will see the joys of the Gospel of Mark and have discipleship come alive. As such, the leader should see this study as a guide to help towards that end, a guide that should be molded through preparation and use so that it fits the needs of the group that uses it.

Discipleship is simple: we learn from God, we follow God, and God leads us. Things such as taking up our cross, seeing clearly, and listening are all a part of this discussion. In spite of this simple reality, this study takes ten weeks to consider the Gospel of Mark and discipleship because digesting this reality takes a long time; it is a progression and not a right answer.

Notes for Leaders

The leader’s guide of the study provides suggested answers to the questions asked. These answers, especially on points of application, are merely to guide you the leader into understanding the goal of the question and not to provide an exact answer that should come forth from the question. The leader should read these pieces in advance to be prepared, but also provide opportunity for thinking and discussing so that the questions are considered and digested along the way. It’s important to give enough time to process the faith, not just jump in with the ‘right’ answers.

It is also important to note that there is much repetition in the questions asked. As is said above, with the topic of discipleship, there are a lot of pieces and groups should take their time. Towards this end there might be much perceived repetition; but hopefully this overarching goal guides your approach to the repetition so that it functions toward the growth of the participant.

Session List

Introduction gets the student acclimated to Mark and the overall study.
Session One helps students grow in their understanding of the call to follow.
Session Two helps students to recognize who they are called to follow.
Session Three helps students to rejoice in the credentials of the One who we fellow and not in their own.
Session Four helps student to have ears to hear that they might rejoice in the reign of God Jesus proclaims.
Session Five helps student to look to Jesus for their confidence; He is the one in whom we put our trust.
Session Six helps student to understand the depth of the call of discipleship to take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Session Seven helps students clearly how they grow in the faith and face challenges to the faith.
Session Eight helps students recognize their failures as disciples and rejoice in the one who goes to the cross as a true disciple.
Session Nine helps students to find power in the resurrection as they follow Jesus on the path of discipleship