Episode Reading the Gospels--How to Read... Mark
Over the course of these four weeks Bill Crowder leads the group in thinking through the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), and explores some elements that could help our understanding of these important accounts as we read and study them. The more we comprehend the settings of these witnesses to the life and work of Jesus, the more accessible his story becomes to us. Join the Discover the Word group as they have this important discussion about how to read the Gospels so we understand--not misunderstand--the life of Jesus.
Chapter 1
We would assume that the people who were with Jesus the most would probably have the most accurate information about him. But if Mark wasn’t one of the twelve disciples, where did he get all the information for his gospel account? In this episode, the Discover the Word group starts off their investigation into Mark’s biographical retelling of the life of Jesus by talking about who Mark was.
Chapter 2
When in Rome . . . can you finish that saying? Yes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Well, in this episode, the Discover the Word group begins to unpack some of the reasons why Mark chose to focus on certain surprising details in his telling of Jesus’ story, and why those things matter to the unlikely audience he seems to be writing to. Pull up a chair for another eye-opening discussion about “How to Read the Gospel of Mark.”
Chapter 3
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “ghost”? In the writing world, it’s somebody writing on behalf of someone else. In this episode of Discover the Word, Bill, Elisa, Rasool, and Daniel sit down around the table to discuss how Mark was likely “ghost-writing” for someone that many of us consider to be one of the “rocks” the early church was built upon. Where did Mark get his information?
Chapter 4
As the Discover the Word group continues their conversations about “How to Read the Gospel of Mark,” they bump into something called “the Messianic secret.” Have you ever heard of that before? Sounds intriguing, doesn’t it? And is it really a secret, or should it have been a well-known “secret”? Join the group as they explore this important tactic Jesus, and the gospel writer Mark used.
Chapter 5
What if the gospel of Mark was the only account we had of the life of Jesus? That’s a provocative question the Discover the Word group considers as they conclude a week of conversations about “How to Read the Gospel of Mark.” What would be different about Christmas? About Easter? What if we had just one perspective of the life and teachings and death and resurrection of Jesus? Be part of that intriguing conversation in this episode.