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The first line in Mark's Gospel ‘This is the good news about jesus christ, the son of god’
tells us that Jesus is the son of god, that mark believes in jesus and thinks highly of him,
and it is good news written by a believer for believers
Who was mark?
● A man named mark referred to in the bible and early christian tradition
● Mysterious man in gethsemane who witnessed jesus arrest, he is only mentioned
in mark's gospel
● His mother owned the house where the last supper was held so perhaps mark
was in the house at the time
Why did christianity appeal to people?
● Women were treated badly and discriminated, in christianity everyone was equal
● Sins can be forgiven if you are genuinely sorry for what you have done, this
would apply to criminals
● Outcasts will be accepted
● Slaves were treated badly but everyone in christianity was treated equally
Why were christians so unpopular?
● The romans worshipped many Gods whereas in christianity there was only one
God
● They were seen as unsociable because they didn’t come to parties
● There were rumours about how they worshipped such as they were thought to be
cannibals
● Blamed for bad economy because they were no longer buying offerings to take to
shrines
● Nero blamed christians for the great fire in Rome
Jesus’ Baptism
The baptism was the first significant event in Jesus’ life. ‘At that time jesus came from
nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by john in the jordan. As jesus was coming up out
of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and a spirit descending on him like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven ‘you are my son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased’
The water represents purity and the cleansing of his sins, the dove is the sign of peace
and represents the holy spirit; the holy spirit inspires jesus to start his messianic
ministry.
The heavens opening is an old testament symbol and shows God is welcoming him, the
baptism proves jesus is the messiah and God claimed him as his son.
The Temptation
Happens immediately after the baptism, Jesus trying to prepare for his task. ‘At once
the spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert for 40 days, being
tempted by satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels attended him’ 40 days
is often used in the old testament to signify a long period of time. Wild animals were
often seen as demons and satan being there meant he was being severely tested. In
the old testament angels were messengers of God who brought love and support so it
represents God supporting him. This story might help christians being persecuted as it
shows that we should trust God and he will support us. This story shows jesus is ready
to start his ministry, that he has authority over satan and he is aware of God’s support.
Caesarea Philippi
“Jesus asked the disciples ‘who do people say I am?’ and they replied ‘some say John
the Baptist; others say Elijah or one of the prophets’ but Jesus asked them, ‘who do you
say I am?’. Peter answered ‘you are the Christ’. Jesus told them not to tell anyone, he
then began to teach them about the son of man who would suffer and be killed but
three days later he would rise again. Peter began to shout at him for saying these
things but Jesus rebuked him ‘Get behind me satan; you do not have in mind the things
of God but the things of men’ he said”
This story is important because it is the first time jesus is acknowledged as the messiah.
It is also the first time we hear the passion narrative. It also shows that peter is the main
disciple. Caesarea Philippi is often called a watershed as as all of Jesus teachings
became private afterwards. He needed to focus on teaching the disciples everything
before he was captured, which would have happened sooner if he continued to teach
and heal publically.
The Transfiguration
“Jesus took Peter, James and John up a mountain where he transfigured. His clothes
became dazzling white and Elijah and Moses appeared talking to Jesus. Peter said to
them ‘Let us put up 3 shelters, one for each of you’ the disciples didn’t know what to say
because they were frightened. Then a cloud appeared and a voice said ‘This is my son
whom I love, Listen to him!’ Suddenly Elijah, Moses and the cloud disappeared and
Jesus told them not to tell anyone what had happened”
Jesus shining white represents purity and shows his divinity as he is more than just a
man. The cloud indicated Gods presence and again he spoke like in the Baptism,
claiming Jesus as his son. Moses and Elijah were important figures in the old testament.
Their presence showed that they approved of Jesus and his teachings, also it proves
jesus is not one of them. God saying ‘Listen to him’ was directed at the disciples and
telling them to heed what jesus had said about his suffering.
The transfiguration is important as Jesus talking to Elijah and Moses shows his divinity,
authority, messianic status and that he has Gods support. It shows Christians that Jesus
is more important than Elijah and Moses. Also Peter and Jesus had previously has an
arguments so it shows Jesus will always offer forgiveness.
Unit 3 - Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection
The Betrayal
Judas betrayed Jesus, this might be because he wasn’t the messiah he was expecting.
Because Judas was a zealot he wanted a strong military leader which Jesus was not so
he was angry. Also because the sanhedrin offered him a reward and for the past 3 years
he had lived with nothing because he was a disciple.
Saint Sinner
The other disciples betrayed jesus as well Betrayed him for money
Gethsemane
“They went to a place called Gethsemane and Jesus asked the disciples to sit and wait
while he prayed. He took Peter, James and John and asked them to keep watch as he
was deeply distressed and troubled. He fell to the ground and prayed ‘Abba, Father,
Take this cup from me’ He returned to find the disciples sleeping, he shouted at them
‘Watch and Pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh
is weak’ Once more he went and prayed but when he came back he found them asleep.
Jesus returned for a third time and told them to get up ‘Look the son of man is delivered
into the hands of sinners’ he said to them”.
This is the first time we see Jesus like this, upset and distraught he was also annoyed
and worried that even his closest disciples couldn’t stay awake. Christians can relate to
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane because sometimes we might think we have the
world on our shoulders when we deal with stress and problems in our life. Christians
being persecuted might find this story a source of encouragement because it showed
we must trust in God. Many christians can also relate to Peter, James and John as they
wanted to stay awake but could not.
Agree Disagree
He knew Jesus was innocent but did not Just doing his job by saving Jerusalem
let him go from rebellion
Was afraid of what the emperor would do Going with what the majority of people
if he found out wanted
Israel in darkness symbolises that a great sin has been committed and judgement was
being passed. The temple curtain symbolises the barrier of sin that cut humanity off
from God being torn in two, so now christians could freely talk to God again. The soldier
would have been significant for 1st century christians as it was a gentile who recognised
and declared Jesus’ true identity. The women is also significant for 1st century christians
as it shows they were important as the disciples were nowhere to be seen.
Liberation - Jesus set Christians free from sin and opened up the possibility of eternal
life. This can help christians living hard lives in that they will be rewarded with eternal
life
Victory - Jesus’ ministry may have appeared to have ended in failure and defeat, but
christians believe her was a victor because he willingly accepted his suffering.
Jesus’ Resurrection
“After the sabbath the women went to anoint Jesus’ body. They went to the tomb and
found the stone had been rolled away, when they entered the tomb they found a man
dressed in white. ‘Don’t be alarmed, I know you are looking for Jesus, he is raised’ He
told them to tell the disciples but they ran from the tomb and said nothing to anyone
because they were afraid.”
It is significant that the the first people to hear the good news about Jesus resurrection
were women as it shows they were important, but like the disciples they also failed as
they fled and did not tell anyone. The man is thought to be an angel and the fact he tells
them to tell the disciples shows that the disciples were forgiven even though they
abandoned Jesus.
Last of all Jesus appeared to all the disciples as they were eating, he scolded them
because they did not have faith and they did not believe those who had seen him. He
told them to preach the Gospel throughout the world, drive out demons, speak in
strange tongues, heal people and be able to drink poison and pick up snakes without
being harmed.
The ascension
After Jesus had spoken to them he was taken up to heaven and sat on the right hand of
God, then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them
and confirmed their word.
The Ascension marks the end of Jesus physical presence on earth, for christians it is
the final proof that Jesus was indeed the son of God. Jesus became a spiritual
presence in the disciples lives after this.
Yes No
If the story was untrue its author would Mark was a human capable of making
not have included the unlikely detail that mistakes as were his sources
women were witnesses
Most of the eleven died as martyrs, they Perhaps the story of the empty tomb was
would not have given their lives for what a kind of parable
they knew was a lie
The disciples changed from being afraid Perhaps the eleven became so involved
into courageous preachers of the Gospel, in the lie that they started to believe it or
something must have happened did not know how to get out of it
Messiah/Christ
Means the anointed/chosen one. The title has strong political and Jewish links as in the
old testament it was used to describe kings especially King David. Jews ideas of the
messiah changed over time. Jews began to think that a supernatural figure sent by God
would be their messiah. Zealots in the 1st century hoped the messiah would be a
warrior who could help them overthrow the Romans. Throughout Jesus’ life there were
men who claimed to be the messiah to led Zealot uprisings. Jesus did not use and
discouraged others from using this title because of the messianic secret. If Jesus had
called himself this he would have been captured and killed much quicker and would not
have been able to complete his ministry. Jews expected the messiah to perform
miracles to prove his identity but this is not why he performed miracles, he did so to
show his compassion, God’s power and love. If Jesus had called himself the messiah
people would have instantly followed him, but he wanted people to draw their own
conclusions about him. There are better titles however that reveal who Jesus is such as
son of God. Also many people today do not understand what a messiah is and could
lead to ideas of status and power which is the opposite of what Jesus is about
Son of man
Jesus used this title the most to describe himself. Many christians like this title because
it emphasises Jesus’ humanity and humility and as someone we could relate to.. At the
same time it points to his authority as God’s representative during his ministry and to his
future state of glory. It had no political links so it was not dangerous to use but it still
linked to the old testament. The title however is not important enough to fully describe
Jesus and his power. When Jesus uses the son of man it is referring to his ministry,
suffering and future glory. Jesus uses the title son of man in his ministry and links it to
ideas of his god given authority. When talking about his suffering Jesus often says son
of man as it shows his vulnerability. During the sanhedrin trial Jesus says they would
see the son of man seated at God's right hand linking to Jesus’ future glory. For some
people it would be a confusing title because it links to the old testament which not a lot
of people will know about, it is also a vague title which does not tell us about Jesus’
divine qualities
Son of God
Jesus does not use this title however mark felt this title is important, as it shows Jesus’
unique relationship with God. This title describes fully who Jesus is and how powerful,
we however cannot relate to it. This title is used at significant points in the Gospel such
as the baptism, transfiguration and Jesus’ death. Many christians think this is the best
title for jesus as it is not vague, it has no political links or tied to a particular culture. It
also shows the closeness of Jesus’ relationship with God. However the son of God can
be quite remote so some christians do not like it.
Poor Jews
Lepers
Gentiles Outcasts
The call of levi shows how jesus wanted everyone to be included in his ministry even if
this would shock everyone else. The story eating with sinners shows Jesus wanted to
teach and help those who needed it most, first. It is also a lesson to all those who
treated tax collectors and other sinners like outcasts. The man with leprosy shows us
that Jesus wants to help people which is what his ministry is all about.
Jairus’ daughter
“Jesus was by the lake when Jairus came up to him, he fell at his feet and pleaded with
jesus to heal his daughter who was dying. While on the way to Jairus’ house some of
the teachers said ‘why bother your daughter is dead’ but Jesus carried on anyway.
Jesus went into the house with Peter, James and John where he found people crying
and wailing. He said to them ‘The child is not dead, but asleep’ he took her hand and
said ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’. Immediately she stood up and walked around but
Jesus told them not to tell anyone”
Jairus was a religious leader so it shows he had faith if he would go see Jesus. Jesus
also shows he is compassionate and gentle by how he treats the girl. Some christians
believe that the girl was just unconscious or it was a parable showing that death is not
the end. There are many christians however who believe because he is the son of God
anything is possible for him. This story is important because it shows the greatness of
God’s power and gives hope that there is life after death.
Unit 6 - Discipleship
The mission
“Jesus sent the disciples out in twos with only a staff and sandals, there where not to
take any food, money or extra clothes. He told them to stay where they were welcome
and if nobody would listen in the town they should leave and shake the dust of their
feet. So the disciples drove out many demons, anointed and healed many sick people.”
This story is significant because Jesus knew he had a short time left so he sent the
disciples out as well. He wanted the disciples to bring only the essentials because he
wanted them to trust in God and that he would provide after Jesus died. He also gave
the disciples the authority to perform exorcisms and heal the sick like he could.
Peter’s promise
“They went to the mount of olives and Jesus told them that it is written ‘I will strike the
shepherd and the sheep will be scattered’ but Peter said he would never leave Jesus.
But Jesus told him that before the cock crows twice he would disown him 3 times. But
peter denied it saying he would even die for Jesus”
Jesus makes it clear here that his death is part of God’s plan and that he accepts it. We
also get across Peter’s devotion and personality in this story.
Peter’s Denials
“While peter was in the high priest's courtyard a woman came up to him and said he
was with Jesus. Peter denied it saying she was mistaken, but the woman said it again
but this time others heard. Peter denied it again but others said he must be one of
Jesus’ followers because he comes from Galilee. Peter told them he did not know Jesus
and the cock crowed twice, he then remembered what Jesus said to him and broke
down crying.”
Good friend as he shouts at Jesus in Runs away when Jesus gets arrested
Caesarea Philippi when he says he is
going to die
The Disciples:
Role Models? Let downs?
They followed Jesus even though they They all abandoned Jesus at the trials
knew it would be dangerous and when he was crucified
In the end they all died while trying to They didn’t believe that Jesus had risen
spread Jesus’ word
Detail Meaning
Seed on rocky ground, can’t grow deep They receive the message but doesn’t
roots, scorched by sun sink in deep enough so when in trouble or
persecuted they give up on God
Seed on thorny ground choked by weeds They hear the message but are distracted
by worries or desires, so they don’t carry
on the message
Seeds on fertile ground, good honest People who listen and respond to the
word of God and are in the kingdom of
God
The parable of the sower tells us that God is spreading his word and only those who
accept it and spread the message will be in the kingdom of God. Those who do not
accept it or give up God in times of trouble or are distracted by material wealth will not
be in the kingdom of God as they don’t believe.