Daily Dip into Mark (Week 4)

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 4 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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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)

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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
This week we are looking at Mark 3:7 - 4:41. If you have time, start back at the beginning of Mark and read from the beginning through the end of chapter 4. If not, just read this section.

Your job today (if you have access) is to go to http://vineyard2cents.blogspot.com, and comment on this week’s blog post, answering this question:

What is something about Jesus that stands out to you so far in Mark?

Tuesday
Re-read Mark 3:7 - 4:41.

Come back and focus on 3:7-12.
How does the response of the crowds to Jesus contrast with the response of the religious leaders highlighted in the previous section?

Why do you think Mark brings this out?

How does Jesus respond to the crowds and evil spirits?

Wednesday
Re-read Mark 3:7 - 4:41.

Come back and focus on 3:13-35.
This is kind of a long section, but seeing it as a section helps us understand the whole “unforgivable sin” thing in the middle. Notice the helpful (but easy to miss) structure of this section... It’s a sandwich:

Jesus appoints the 12 disciples/apostles
  Family says he’s crazy
    Teachers of the law say he’s possessed
      Jesus clarifies which Spirit empowers him,
      and warns against unpardonable sin
    Teachers were saying he’s possessed
  Family arrives to remove him
Disciples around him are his true family

For extra credit (just kidding), look up “Xiasm” in a Bible Dictionary. That’s the technical term for this “sandwich” literary device... My paraphrase: the meat in the middle helps explain the bread on the outside. So what do you think? How does Jesus’ parable about the kingdom, house, and strong man, and his warning about insulting the Holy Spirit, say something about the accusations of the teachers, the worries of his family, and the nature of his disciples?

If there is an “eternal sin”, what is it? And why would it be unforgivable?

Thursday
Re-read Mark 3:7 - 4:41.

Come back and focus on 4:1-34.
Look back and write down real life examples of the 4 soils from characters so far in Mark.
I find I’m different soils at different times in my life. Which kind of soil are you right now?

Friday
Re-read Mark 3:7 - 4:41.

Come back and focus on 4:35-41.
This story is driven by questions, but answers are not explicitly stated. Jot down all the questions in this story. What are the answers?