Friday, January 4, 2008

Mark 1-13

Has anyone else noticed Jesus often telling people he's just healed not to tell anyone about the miracle, or when he told his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah, or when they went to a new town, trying to make sure no one knew they were there? Why was he trying to be so inconspicuous? What was Jesus trying to accomplish? It seems that there are some clues buried in the text. What have you discovered?

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Mark 1-3

Imagine this is your first time reading from the Bible (or maybe it is). If you are a newcomer to the literary styles and cultures in which the Bible was written, what words or phrases in these chapters would be (or are) unfamiliar to you?

Mark presents the cliff-notes version of the story he's telling--just a few sentances about each event and then on to the next. What events or words stand out to you?