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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
Commentaries that specialize on training the teacher!
Hitting the Mark
Living a Transformed Life
Teachers: Calvin, Michael, Paul, and Ridge
@OIF Hall Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
This 2016 class is now completed!
Link this page: bit.ly/MK-ST
Discover Christ, find life! As we get to know Jesus more deeply through this study of Mark, we get to be increasingly like Him.
=> Each lesson starts at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays at Oakland International Fellowship. Bring a friend!
=> Get your Mark e-bookmark now! pdf | jpg
=> Free copy of Dr. Orr's Notes on the Gospel of Mark: pdf | doc
Mark 1-8
The
Divine Proof of the Son of God
Mark starts with a startling claim–Jesus the Son of God, Messiah. This claim of deity and power stood in great contrast to the Roman deities back then as well as humanism and powerful people today. On what basis does Jesus make this claim and what affects does it have on our personal lives? This is what the first part of Gospel of Mark is all about!
1) An Introduction of Mark (Mark 1:1–15)
Who is Jesus? How is He expected to influence our lives? In this day of false gospels, it is imperative that we allow the scriptures to shape our understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Prepare for class by reading quickly through the Gospel of Mark and reflecting one of the ways Jesus Christ has personally changed you. Download Dr. Orr's notes above and flip through them, seeing what might interest you.
Handout: With blanks: pdf || Complete: pdf | docx
Powerpoints: pdf | pptx | key
Audio: mp3:
2) Following the One with Authority (Mark 1:16–39)
Jesus has come with authority into our world with purpose and a message: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” How do we, as Jesus’ disciples, respond to His message, authority, and calling?
Prior to class, read through Mark 1 and reflect on Jesus’ heavenly origin and authority. Consider what place His authority and His message hold in your choices and activities throughout each day.
3) The Value of Investing in People (Mark 3:13–35)
Jesus was very intentional in how He spent His time and who He spent it with. In Mark 3:13-35, Jesus sets the examples and models for investing our time wisely into the lives of others and what being a true disciple of Christ means. In these verses, Jesus also introduces the importance of unity, in the context of the church and the importance of putting others ahead of ourselves.
To Do: Can you think of 1 or 2 people in your immediate circle of friends that you might be able to disciple and meet up with on a regular basis?
4) The Parable of All Parables (Mark 4:1–25)
Mark 4:1-25 Jesus teaches by the sea of Galilee about the kingdom of God. He teaches in parables, but then gives an explanation to his disciples. The first parable about sowing covers the life cycle: sowing, growth, and harvest. Understanding this parable is critical for understanding any parable, yet those remaining in hardened disbelief will not / cannot receive his instruction.
5) Facing the Impossible ( Mark 5:21–43)
As we seek Jesus, what do we expect to find? Our Lord Jesus demonstrated His authority and love through two dramatic events. As we dig deeper into understanding His compassionate miracles, we come to see the true fullness of Jesus’ healing, cleansing, and blessing.
Read Mark 5:21-43 prior to class. Familiarize yourself with the events of the passage and begin to think about what Jesus is revealing to us about Himself.
6) Our Hunger for God (Mark 6:30–44)
We were made for our spiritual drives to rule over our physical drives. Jesus' teaching again touches down right into the problems modern culture presents us.
As you read Mark 6:30-44 prior to class, discover what problems they faced. How would you handle each one?
Handout (Blanks): pdf | docx || pdf (w/answers)
Powerpoints: pdf | pptx
Audio: mp3=>Oct 16, 2016 (Next classes)
7) Who is Jesus? (Mark 8:27–38)
Everyone at some point in their life must come face to face with the question “Who is Jesus?” In this lesson, Jesus asks very poignantly, “But who do YOU say that I am?” This is a very personal question that each person must answer. Is Jesus a Liar, Lunatic, or is He Lord?
If Jesus is the Christ, what does that mean to you in your life? What are some areas in your life that must be changed in order for this to be true?
Handout: docx
Powerpoints: pptx
Audio: mp3
Mark 9-16
The Divine Work of the Son of Man
The speed and scenes of the first part of the book drastically slow down in this last half of the Gospel of Mark where the camera zooms in on what Jesus was doing or allow to have done to Him. How and why is the powerful Jesus now acting so weak and victim-like? Join us in this important study on Jesus, the Son of Man.
8) Life Lessons for His Disciples (Mark 9:33–50)
How does Jesus say that we should respond to who He is? Following Peter’s declaration of Jesus as the Christ, see how Jesus called the disciples (and us) to put His cross our hearts and follow Him in godly living.
In Mark 9:33-50, Jesus warns against worldly greatness, division, and the consequences of stumbling from and lacking faith. Think about and discuss with others how you are (or are not) responding to these teachings.
9) The Most Important Question (Mark 10:17–31)
There are many questions being flung at us in this modern world, but this one remains the most important one for us to find an answer for!
Handout: Filled: docx | Blanks: docx
Powerpoints: pptx
Audio: mp3
10) The Motives of Men’s Hearts (Mark 12:28–44)
What is the greatest commandment in the Bible? Jesus answers this question and more as He brings to light how easily our hearts can be deceived in our relationship with God. Others look at the exterior while God looks at the heart. How can we ensure we are to enter into the kingdom of God?
11) Understanding the End of Ages (Mark 13:1–37)
Jesus begins to reveal future events that will bring about the consummation of human history. He does so essentially giving answer to the disciples’ two-fold enquiry: “When will these things be? And, what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?”
Handout: docx
Powerpoints: pptx
Audio: mp3
12) The Power of the Cross (Mark 15:1–47)
“The power of the cross” is a profound phrase. Its depth comes directly from the authentic power that was held in and on the cross, a power to forgive and thereby thoroughly defeat sin. We can never meditate too often on the cross, whether it be on the historical story, on our own need for the cross, or on its implications for those who live under its power, that is, freedom from both the penalty and the control of sin, so that we may walk rightly within the will of God.
13) Victory in Defeat (Mark 16:1–20)
Jesus’ resurrection, the foundation of what Christianity is built upon. It’s either one of the worst hoaxes or the most remarkable event in history. Come and learn the reasons why the resurrection is trustworthy and why because of Jesus’ death, it brings victory to mankind.
=>This class is now completed with all documents and links uploaded. Enjoy!
Our new series, Fostering Spiritual Growth in the Church, is starting January 1, 2017.
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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted:
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988