An Apprenticeship to Jesus Gospel of Mark Study Week 16 Introduction: Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s fantastic to be here with you today. We are on week 16 of our weekly season called An Apprenticeship to Jesus: Gospel of Mark Study. Last week, in Mark 15 we were confronted with the depth of Jesus’ obedience and love. This week, we are going to see that death could not stop Jesus and his kingdom from advancing. I am switching up the version again this week to the Message, because it speaks in a way that helps it to hit differently. Make sure that you download the PDF of the study and listen with a friend. Let’s jump in to the study. Would you pray with me. Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see Jesus. Open our ears to hear what you have to say to us and soften our hearts. Help us to be more like Jesus today. In His name we pray, Amen! Read Mark 16 1–3  16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, “Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?” 4–5  Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. 6–7  He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.” 8  They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone. 9–11  [After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared early on Sunday morning to Mary Magdalene, whom he had delivered from seven demons. She went to his former companions, now weeping and carrying on, and told them. When they heard her report that she had seen him alive and well, they didn’t believe her. 12–13  Later he appeared, but in a different form, to two of them out walking in the countryside. They went back and told the rest, but they weren’t believed either. 14–16  Still later, as the Eleven were eating supper, he appeared and took them to task most severely for their stubborn unbelief, refusing to believe those who had seen him raised up. Then he said, “Go into the world. Go everywhere and announce the Message of God’s good news to one and all. Whoever believes and is baptized is saved; whoever refuses to believe is damned. 17–18  “These are some of the signs that will accompany believers: They will throw out demons in my name, they will speak in new tongues, they will take snakes in their hands, they will drink poison and not be hurt, they will lay hands on the sick and make them well.” 19–20  Then the Master Jesus, after briefing them, was taken up to heaven, and he sat down beside God in the place of honor. And the disciples went everywhere preaching, the Master working right with them, validating the Message with indisputable evidence.] Note: Mark 16:9–20 [the portion in brackets] is contained only in later manuscripts. Mark 16:1–20, MSG Discussion: What did Jesus say in this chapter? What did Jesus do in this chapter? What did you learn from Jesus? What surprised you about Jesus? What confused you about Jesus? What questions do you have? How can I be like Jesus this week? Closing Prayer: Lord, may our love abound more and more in full knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until Your day, O Christ—having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through You, to the glory and praise of God. Amen! Adapted from Philippians 1:9-11 Exercises for the week (pick 1 new practice this week) Coloring - This week, take some time and color the adult bible verse coloring sheets and create art before the Lord. There are 3 coloring sheets, color as many as you would like. Scripture Memory - This week, take time to commit the following verses to memory. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7, ESV   Gratitude Journal - At the end of the each day, write down at least 5 things that you are grateful to God for that you noticed that day. Share a few things next session. Feel free to jot down things as you go through the day. Make these exercises work for you and your personality. Hey friends, we made it through season 4 of the 2 Minute Disciple Podcast. This season took us through the Gospel of Mark. You now have a complete Bible Study for discipleship that you can use with a friend or group of friends. Thank you for being part of this journey! That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard… and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.