CONVERSATIONS WITH MARK:

A Fall Exploration of the Gospel According to Mark

 

 

 

 

Schedule

 

All sessions take place on Wednesday Night from 7:30 to 9:00 pm in The Fireplace Room.

 

 

Date

Text

Content of Material Covered

1

Oct. 19  

Introduction             

Who is here and why, what about Bible and interpretation, the Gospels as a form of scripture and Mark in particular

Handouts

 

2

Oct  26

Mark 1: to 3:35       

Introduction, Baptism, call, new teaching/behavior, healing, popular or possessed?

Handouts

 

3

Nov  2  

Mark 4:1 to 5:53     

Teaching by parables, calming sea, demons, cures  

 

4

Nov   9 

Mark 6:1 to 7:37     

Teaching with power, Herod kills John, feeding 5000 Pharisees and tradition, more cures

 

5

Nov 16 

Mark 8:1 to 10:31    

Loaves and fishes, question of identity, Transfiguration, who is the greatest, competition with other healers

Handouts - outline & Buber Conversations

 

Nov 23 – No Class

6

Nov 30 

Mark 10:32 to 13:37

Divorce question, children, rich young man, best seats, entrance to Jerusalem, cleanse temple, challenge to authority, parable of vineyard,  apocalyptic vision

 

7

Dec   7 

Mark 14:1 to 16:20 

Passover, Gethsemane, arrest, hearing with Caphias and Pilate, crucifixation, death, burial, and long and short Endings

 

 

 

 

About the Course

 

Beginning October 19 and continuing on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 (except for the eve of Thanksgiving, November 23) through December 7, St Jude’s will offer a program inviting conversations with Mark. John Buenz will lead and Gordon Mullin will assist the conversations by means of reading, discussing and learning about Jesus through Mark’s version of the Gospel. We have chosen the term “conversations” to focus, not only upon conversations among leaders and members of the group, but also the tendency of scripture to engage the reader with both questions and answers relevant to the reader. It is possible for reading to become a conversation. We hope to treat our approach to scripture in a manner that encourages participants to attend to this conversational quality of Mark.  In this sense, Conversations will be a sort of personal and group exploration.

 

Why take the time and energy to consider the subject? Timothy writes that “all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and training in right living, that the person of God might be equipped for every good work”. Growth in personal spirituality and ministry are two good reasons to join us for Conversations.

 

* * *

 

The title of this program, Conversations rather than Bible Study, derives from the approach we plan to take.  Conversations imply not only dialogue among the members and leaders of the group but also the often overlooked tendency of scripture to engage the reader with relevant questions and answers.  This is perhaps the most mysterious quality of scripture and thus a reason why it is often called the word of God. We hope to treat our approach to scripture in a manner that encourages participants to attend to this conversational quality of the material in the Gospel of Mark. In this sense, Conversation is different than Study. For more information, talk to Gordon Mullin (408 732 3718) or either Gordon or John at Church.

 

* * *

 

The leaders will draw on their extensive although different experience in working with scripture.  John, seminary trained, uses scripture in developing sermons and has lead Bible based groups in three congregations.  Gordon became interested in scripture at St Timothy's, Mountain View and participates in leadership of groups in Men’s Bible Study Fellowship.  Both hope to share their experience and love of scripture in the Conversations with Mark at St Jude’s.

 

In this program the slim Collegeville Bible Commentary of the Gospel According to Mark will be used.  Gordon will have them for sale (about $5.00) on Sunday mornings at St Jude’s. Also available are copies of the schedule we will follow for the Conversations.  Finally both John and Gordon hope you will look them up to discuss your interest and any questions you might have about this opportunity.

 

To sign up, contact Gordon Mullin at 408 732 3718 or gcmullin@netzero.net or call the St Jude’s Parish office.