Materials Included
• 5 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
• 5 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• 1 Handouts

Scriptures
1. Mark 14:12-25
2. Mark 14:32-42
3. Mark 15:21-39
4. Mark 16:1-8
5. Mark 16:9-18

Brief Description
Mark’s Gospel presents Jesus’ ministry in two contrasting territories. The first half of the Gospel is set in Galilee in northern Palestine, a mostly rural area of peasant farmers. There, Jesus called his disciples and attracted other followers, performed miracles, and taught crowds, small groups, and individuals alike. After chapter 8, however, the setting shifts southward to Jerusalem. In that city, Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried, and crucified. Finally, after Jesus’ resurrection, a divine messenger instructed three women and the other apostles to connect with Jesus again in Galilee. One writer concluded that this portrait of Jesus and his ministry, including problems and unanswered questions, appropriately reflects early Christianity’s diverse community of faith (Stephen L. Harris, The New Testament: A Student’s Introduction, 4th ed. [Sacramento: California State University, 2002], 115).

This Easter unit focuses on the last half of Mark’s Gospel. Three times, Jesus predicted his suffering, death, and resurrection (8:31--9:29; 9:30--10:31; and 10:32-45). The first prediction marks the turning point from a discussion of Jesus as powerful miracle worker to suffering Messiah. Each passage begins with Jesus’ prediction, emphasizing his role as suffering Messiah, followed by the disciples’ rejection of that identity. Then, Jesus corrects the apostles, teaching them about discipleship. Finally, in Mark 14--15, Jesus’ predictions come true.

The first session in this unit contrasts the communion of the Last Supper with Jesus’ betrayal, followed by the second session’s focus on Jesus’ honest expression of his suffering. The third session describes Jesus’ crucifixion and death, while the fourth discusses the resurrection. Finally, the last session presents Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and commissioning of his followers.

by Lawanda Smith

User License
The purchaser of this file has permission to print twenty copies of this Learners Study Guide. Neither the file nor the printed contents may be sold copied or transferred to another person or church. The purchaser may make a backup copy of the file.

The purchaser of this file has permission to print one copy of this Teaching Guide. Neither the file nor the printed contents may be sold, copied or transferred to another person or church. The purchaser may make a backup copy of the file.

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