Inaugurating the Servant

Mark 1:1-2:28 • Lesson One

Welcome to this semester's Sports In Focus study based on the Book of Mark. Here is some context for our first lesson:

Mark’s gospel was intended for a Gentile audience, especially a Roman one. Mark is the gospel of action; the frequent use of “im- mediately” and “then” keeps his narrative moving rapidly along. Jesus appears in Mark as the Servant (Mark 10:45) who bursts on the scene to suffer for the sins of many. Mark’s fast-paced approach would especially appeal to the practical, action-oriented Romans. Without commenting on Christ’s birth or childhood, Mark begins his record of the life of Jesus with a description of John the Baptist—the one prophesied to be the forerunner of Messiah.

You can download this week's lesson here.