Mark, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, 1st and 2nd Corinthians: Week 1

Mrk,1 Tim, 2 Tim, Tit, 1 Cor, and 2 Cor: Week 1

Mark 1

 

Welcome to this study on the books of Mark, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, and 1st and 2nd Corinthians! We have so much to learn from these 6 books of the Bible, so let’s dive in! We will begin our study by learning about the book of Mark, one of the four Gospels that give accounts of the life of Jesus. The book of Mark may be the shortest account of Jesus’ life of all the four Gospels, but it has so much to teach us today,

 

Watch the Mark Introduction Video:

Watch the Mark introduction video. In this video, Pastor Todd will introduce the book of Mark, talk about some important background information for this book of the Bible, teach us some of the key themes that can be found in the book of Mark, and more. As we learn from the book of Mark, we will be reminded that although Jesus is the King of all kings, He did not come to earth to be served and treated as a King. Instead, He came as a suffering servant to lay down His life for the sins of the world.

Introduction to Mark:

Before we begin reading the book of Mark, we need to have a grasp on this book of the Bible and understand who wrote it, why it was written, what themes can be traced throughout this book of the Bible, and more. Using your New Living Translation Life Application Study Bible, read the introduction to the book of Mark. As you read, answer the questions below. Then, discuss what you learned with your group

  1. Who wrote the book of Mark? What do we know about him?
     
  2. Who is the audience of Mark? 
     
  3. What is the purpose of Mark?
     
  4. What are some of the key themes of Mark?

 

Come back together and discuss what you learned about Mark.

  1. Do you have any questions about questions 1-4 above?
     
  2. What stood out as you read the introduction to Mark?

 

Introduction to the SOAP Method:

Throughout this course, you will read through the entire books of Mark, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus, and 1st and 2nd Corinthians one chapter at a time. As you read each day, you will walk through the SOAP method using the journals we have given you. The SOAP method is a Bible study method designed to help you take a deep dive into the Scripture you are reading by observing, applying the Scripture, and more. Your group leader will walk through each step of the SOAP method.

 

SOAP stands for:

  1. Scripture.
  • Read your chosen passage of Scripture along with the Bible study notes related to that passage of Scripture carefully and thoughtfully.
  1. Observation
  • After reading your chosen passage of Scripture, observe what you have read. Many Bible teachers explain that this is where we become journalists and ask ourselves the questions, “Who?” “What?” “When?” “Where?” & “Why?”.

*** Please note, we will not be able to answer every question for every passage of Scripture. Do not worry if you are reading a passage of Scripture and cannot find an answer to one of these questions. These questions serve as a guide to observation.

    • Who?
      • Who is the author? Who were the people involved in this passage of Scripture? Who was the original audience of the book of the Bible you are studying? Etc.
      • This question involves people.
    • What?
      • What is happening in this passage of Scripture? What action did God tell His people to stop doing? What did God tell His people to start doing? Etc.
      • This question involves circumstances, instructions, behaviors, etc.
    • When?
      • When does this passage of Scripture take place (evening, morning, afternoon)? When will a particular event mentioned in Scripture take place? Etc.
      • This question involves times and timelines.
    • Where?
      • Where does this passage of Scripture take place? Where were the people in the passage of Scripture from? Where was this book of the Bible written? Etc.
      • This question involves location.
    • Why?
      • Why does Scripture call us to live a certain way? Why were the people in Scripture behaving a certain way? Why did the person in the passage of Scripture face certain consequences? Etc.
      • This question involves purpose and reasoning behind particular behaviors and instructions.
         
  2. Application.
  • This step in the SOAP method is all about applying Scripture to our lives. The Bible prompts us to change our actions and obey. This is where we can ask ourselves the four important questions to ask when we read the Bible:
    • Is there a sin to confess?
    • Is there a promise to claim?
    • Is there something I need to start doing?
    • Is there something in this passage I need to thank God for?
  1. Prayer.
    • The final step in the SOAP method is prayer.
      We can ask God to help us as we apply His word by obeying Him and thank Him for the gift of His word.


 

Practice the SOAP Method

Let’s practice the SOAP method, starting with John chapter 1. Read John 1 now and walk through the SOAP method using your journal. Then, we will come back together and discuss what we learned during our Bible study time.


Discuss Mark 1:

Now that you have read Mark 1 and completed the SOAP method, let’s discuss what we learned.

  1. Walk through each step of the SOAP method and share your answers for each step. When you get to step number 4, share some of what you prayed about after reading Mark 1. After we finish discussing Mark chapter 1, we will pray together.
  2. Describe John the Baptist’s attitude toward Jesus? What can we learn from his example?
  3. What did Jesus’ baptism represent? (There is more than one answer to this question!)
  4. Look back at your response to the questions listed below after reading Mark 1. What action step can you take to apply God’s word to your own life based on your answers to those questions?
    1. Is there a sin to confess?
    2. Is there a promise to claim?
    3. Is there something I need to start doing?
    4. Is there something in this passage I need to thank God for?

 

Close in Prayer:

End your time praying together. Thank God for His word and the truth that can be found in it. Commit to studying it and obeying it each and every day. Ask Him to help give you the same humility of John the Baptist, seeking to make Christ known all around you

 

Assignment for Next Week:

Read Mark chapters 2–8, one chapter for every day, using your Study Bible. Read the Bible study notes that correspond with the passage of Scripture you are reading. As you read, use your journal we provided for you to complete the SOAP method for each chapter of Mark that you read.