Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

1. 1. If you were to define “a Christian”, what would you say?
   2. What does serving one another look like daily? (Mark 10:45)
   3. How is repentance valuable in a walk with God?
   4. What has this series taught you about Jesus and his mission?
   5. To proclaim the gospel is not just demonstrating it (although that is important), but speaking it, what does that look like in real life? What fears do you have in sharing the gospel?

Outward Prayer

THE MAIN POINT

The Gospel of Mark allows us to go back to the basics as Christ followers, to remember our call to repent, serve, and proclaim.

THE BIBLE

Mark 1:15, Mark 1:14, Mark 10:45, Mark 8:34 (CSB)

THE CONTEXT

The Gospel of Mark is a great starting point for unbelievers or a refresher for believers. It is the basics of Jesus’ ministry, life, and crucifixion.

The Gospel of Mark not only instructs us on the basics but also highlights what the life of a Jesus follower should look like. It succinctly teaches the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the urgency we must have in responding to Jesus and living for him.

The Gospel of Mark allows us to go back to the basics as Christ followers, to remember our call to repent, serve, and proclaim.

The Call to Serve

In the book of Mark, the author jumps right to the ministry of Jesus (he does not give an account of Jesus’ birth or childhood). But instead, miracles and healing are the focus, revealing the servant heart of Jesus. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” As Christ followers, our goal should not be to obtain fame, popularity, or recognition but to humble ourselves before the Lord, and have a servant’s heart.

The Call to Repentance

Mark 9:43 and Mark 8:34 both showcase the act of denying oneself and repenting. This is a practice each believer should exercise. The call of repentance and turning away from sin is not just for new believers, but a daily surrender in an individual’s walk with God

The Call to Proclaim

In the Gospel of Mark, proclaiming the good news is a major theme. Mark immediately tells the story of Jesus’ ministry of healing, redeeming, and proclaiming the good news. (Mark 1:14) We are also to proclaim the gospel, with our words, and with our actions.

Mark’s story of Jesus becomes the story of his followers, and their story becomes the story of the readers.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal stories and questions keep in mind these points:

• As Christ Followers, we are called to serve one another and humble ourselves before the Lord.
• Repentance is not only for unbelievers, but a practice Christians should have daily.
• The good news of Jesus is to proclaim not just demonstrate.
• There is an urgency that the kingdom of God is here.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• Have a time of reflection to examine their hearts to the call of Jesus
• Encourage the students to make repentance a daily act
• Ask the question, what does serving one another look like daily?