Daily Dip into Mark (Week 1)

At Vineyard Church, we're reading and studying through the Gospel of Mark together. A resource we're sharing is this "Daily Dip into Mark", a guide to experiencing the text.

You can download a pdf copy of Week 1 by clicking here (it's also copied below).

Please let us know how this week's reading hits you by adding your comments below!

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Daily Dip (Week 1)

Introduction

Begin each day with a simple prayer asking God to speak to you today through the story of Mark’s Gospel.

If you have a couple minutes at the end of your time each day, come back here and consider using these prayers as a guide this week:

Prayers Appointed for the Week(from the Divine Hours, edited by Phyllis Tickle)

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Monday

If you can set aside 1 to 1.5 hours, try to read all of Mark in one sitting. (If you prefer to listen to an audio version, I'd highly recommend "Mark: The Bible Experience" available from iTunes or Audible.com for a few bucks. It runs about 1.5 hours.)

As you are reading through Mark, don't stop to analyze. Just go for the overall story. It would be a good idea, though, to put a dot or a check next to the parts that jump out to you. You can come back to these later.

Tuesday

Finish reading Mark if you weren't able to get through it all yesterday.

What do you notice about the book as a whole? What themes come up over and over?

Pick a character and note how they change over the course of the story (their arc, so to speak). Jot down your thoughts.

- Jesus

- Disciples

- Religious leaders

- Crowds

Wednesday

Come back to the beginning of Mark and re-read 1:1-15.

What catches your attention in this section?

This story is all about Jesus, but he shows up out of nowhere, an adult, in the middle of this section. How has Mark prepared us for the arrival of Jesus? How does he connect the story of Jesus with the bigger story of Israel's history?

Thursday

Re-read Mark 1:1-15.

Without answering them yet, list as many questions as you can about this section.

For example:

- Why start with an Old Testament quote?

- What is up with John's clothes and food? And why does Mark describe them?

- Why did the Spirit send (drive) Jesus out into the wilderness?

Take it from there and write down as many questions as you can think of…

Friday

Re-read Mark 1:1-15.

Where does this passage hit you personally? What has God been showing you this week?