In his Gospel, Mark doesn't tell us much about himself. Scholars have managed to glean information about him from the text--like the fact that he was a good friend of Simon Peter's--but Mark himself is not very forthcoming about where he's writing from or even the audience he's writing his Gospel for. The reason, perhaps, is because the story he's telling is not about himself. His story is all about Jesus. This new guide in the Understanding the Books of the Bible series will help you grasp Jesus' passion and power as well as the urgency and beauty of the kingdom he brought to earth. But Mark's fast-paced narrative doesn't just tell a story; it also asks a question. Will you fully give your life to Jesus? Will you join his kingdom for the long-haul? Or will you choose fear, wealth or power over him, and miss out on the abundant life--the peace, the joy, the purpose--he gives? The answer is as important today as it was for Mark's original audience. Let this fresh approach to Mark's masterfully written Gospel help you see a fuller picture of Jesus, and let Jesus lead you more fully into life in his kingdom. The Understanding the Books of the Bible series moves groups away from a typical Bible study format into a new approach to experiencing the Bible together. Instead of following artificial chapter and verse divisions, these study guides lead groups through whole books following their natural outlines and flow. They pose engaging questions for discussion with personal implications all along the way, leading to a community Bible experience.
