“The ancient writers tell us that Mark wrote down the words of Peter as he described what it was like to follow Jesus around Galilee and Judea. That’s why Mark’s gospel is so fast-paced and action-packed. He wants us to experience the same highs and lows as Peter in his journey of discovery. Through Mark’s gospel, we are able to discover Jesus for ourselves. Mark invites us to step into the story.”
Challenge Mark is about reading Mark's gospel carefully this term, letting the good news of Jesus sink deep into our hearts and transform our lives.
There's two parts to Challenge Mark: Mark in one go; and Mark bit-by-bit for 60 days. And there’s a whatsapp group you can join – to encourage each other on the journey.
Part 1: Mark in one go
If we read or listen to the Bible, we tend to do it in short chunks.
Mark’s gospel was written as a book, to be read or listened to in one go.
When we read or listen to the whole book in one go, you’ll spot different things – repetitions, patterns, Mark’s sense of urgency, the big plot of what’s happening.
So, part 1 of the Mark Challenge is to set aside 90 minutes to 2 hours to watch, read or listen to all of Mark’s gospel in one go, ideally by February 3rd.
Here’s how:
Once you’ve completed Mark’s gospel, have a think:
Part 2: Mark bit-by-bit for 60 days
Doing Mark all in one go is great. It helps us see the big picture – the whole wood. But looking at the individual trees in the wood – the individual stories in Mark’s gospel – is also valuable.
You’ll notice lots of details you hadn’t noticed before. You’ll see Jesus and the disciples and crowds more clearly. You’ll be struck by individual words or phrases. You’ll have fresh questions in your mind and heart.
So, part 2 of the Mark Challenge is to read a few verses of Mark’s gospel each day from February 4th to Easter.
The passage to read each day is given below.
Each day, begin with the suggested prayer, and finish by thinking about the two questions – the same questions for each day.
As an optional extra, you could get the book “Straight to the heart of Mark” by Phil Moore (normally £10.99, but £6 from church; also available as an e-book for about £6). Each day, he writes 3-4 punchy pages looking at that passage. Here’s what the book’s blurb says:
“God inspired the Bible for a reason. He wants you read it and let it change your life. If you are willing to take this challenge seriously, then you will love Phil Moore’s devotional commentaries. Their bite-sized chapters are punchy and relevant, yet crammed with fascinating scholarship. Welcome to a new way of reading the Bible. Welcome to the Straight to the Heart series.”
On your Marks …
And that’s it! As we read Mark’s gospel – as a whole, and in bite-sized chunks, we’ll see Jesus more clearly for who he is – God’s Messiah and suffering servant – the one who came to serve us and save us, the one who calls us to take up our cross and follow him.
Are you up for the challenge? Let’s go for it!
Want to journey with others?
Why not join our Challenge Mark whatsapp group – so you can be encouraged each day to keep reading, and be inspired by what others are learning as they journey with Jesus through Mark’s gospel, too. And hopefully, you’ll be able to encourage others with your questions and insights as well!
Just use the QR code below, or click on the link to join the group.
Or, if you’re already part of a cell group or prayer triplet, why not encourage them to take this journey with you?
Challenge Mark is about reading Mark's gospel carefully this term, letting the good news of Jesus sink deep into our hearts and transform our lives.
There's two parts to Challenge Mark: Mark in one go; and Mark bit-by-bit for 60 days. And there’s a whatsapp group you can join – to encourage each other on the journey.
Part 1: Mark in one go
If we read or listen to the Bible, we tend to do it in short chunks.
Mark’s gospel was written as a book, to be read or listened to in one go.
When we read or listen to the whole book in one go, you’ll spot different things – repetitions, patterns, Mark’s sense of urgency, the big plot of what’s happening.
So, part 1 of the Mark Challenge is to set aside 90 minutes to 2 hours to watch, read or listen to all of Mark’s gospel in one go, ideally by February 3rd.
Here’s how:
- Watch the Lumo version of Mark’s gospel, using the NIV translation (2 hours); or
- Read all of Mark’s gospel, ideally using a different translation from the one you usually read (about 90 minutes) – how about trying The Message paraphrase, or the Contemporary English Version? or
- Listen to all of Mark’s gospel – read by David Suchet or others in various online versions – there’s even a hip hop version!
Once you’ve completed Mark’s gospel, have a think:
- Were there any parts of the book that you particularly liked or that inspired you?
- Were there any parts of the book that you disliked or that troubled you?
- What did you think the book was about?
- Think about Mark’s portrayal of the disciples. Do you think he was fair about them? Which of them, if any, did you feel the strongest relationship with?
- What did you learn about following Jesus from reading Mark’s Gospel?
- What did you think about the ending of Mark?
Part 2: Mark bit-by-bit for 60 days
Doing Mark all in one go is great. It helps us see the big picture – the whole wood. But looking at the individual trees in the wood – the individual stories in Mark’s gospel – is also valuable.
You’ll notice lots of details you hadn’t noticed before. You’ll see Jesus and the disciples and crowds more clearly. You’ll be struck by individual words or phrases. You’ll have fresh questions in your mind and heart.
So, part 2 of the Mark Challenge is to read a few verses of Mark’s gospel each day from February 4th to Easter.
The passage to read each day is given below.
Each day, begin with the suggested prayer, and finish by thinking about the two questions – the same questions for each day.
As an optional extra, you could get the book “Straight to the heart of Mark” by Phil Moore (normally £10.99, but £6 from church; also available as an e-book for about £6). Each day, he writes 3-4 punchy pages looking at that passage. Here’s what the book’s blurb says:
“God inspired the Bible for a reason. He wants you read it and let it change your life. If you are willing to take this challenge seriously, then you will love Phil Moore’s devotional commentaries. Their bite-sized chapters are punchy and relevant, yet crammed with fascinating scholarship. Welcome to a new way of reading the Bible. Welcome to the Straight to the Heart series.”
On your Marks …
And that’s it! As we read Mark’s gospel – as a whole, and in bite-sized chunks, we’ll see Jesus more clearly for who he is – God’s Messiah and suffering servant – the one who came to serve us and save us, the one who calls us to take up our cross and follow him.
Are you up for the challenge? Let’s go for it!
Want to journey with others?
Why not join our Challenge Mark whatsapp group – so you can be encouraged each day to keep reading, and be inspired by what others are learning as they journey with Jesus through Mark’s gospel, too. And hopefully, you’ll be able to encourage others with your questions and insights as well!
Just use the QR code below, or click on the link to join the group.
Or, if you’re already part of a cell group or prayer triplet, why not encourage them to take this journey with you?
Mark in 60 bite-sized chunks
Before you read, pray:
Lord Jesus, as I journey through Mark’s gospel, show me who you are, why you came, and what it means for me to follow you. Open my heart and mind to hear your Spirit speak to me through these verses. Amen.
After you read, think:
What does this passage show me about Jesus?
What implications are there for me as a disciple of Jesus?
Then take your thoughts to Jesus in prayer
Feb 4 Mark 1.1-8
Feb 5 Mark 1.9-20
Feb 6 Mark 1.21-39
Feb 7 Mark 1.40-45
Feb 8 Mark 2.1-12
Feb 9 Mark 2.13-17
Feb 10 Mark 2.18 – 3.6
Feb 11 Mark 3.7-13
Feb 12 Mark 3.14-19
Feb 13 Mark 3.20-35
Feb 14 Mark 4.1-20
Feb 15 Mark 4.21-34
Feb 16 Mark 4.35-41
Feb 17 Mark 5.1-20
Feb 18 Mark 5.21-43
Feb 19 catch-up
Feb 20 Mark 6.1-6
Feb 21 Mark 6.6-29
Feb 22 Mark 6.30-44
Feb 23 Mark 6.45-56
Feb 24 Mark 7.1-23
Feb 25 Mark 7.24-30
Feb 26 Mark 7.31-37
Feb 27 Mark 8.1-10
Feb 28 Mark 8.11-21
Feb 29 Mark 8.22-26
Mar 1 Mark 8.27-30
Mar 2 Mark 8.31-38
Mar 3 Mark 9.1-13
Mar 4 Mark 9.14-29
Mar 5 catch-up
Mar 6 Mark 9.30-41
Mar 7 Mark 9.42-50
Mar 8 Mark 10.1-16
Mar 9 Mark 10.13-27
Mar 10 Mark 10.28-45
Mar 11 Mark 10.46-52
Mar 12 Mark 11.1-11
Mar 13 Mark 11.12-26
Mar 14 catch-up
Mar 15 Mark 11.27-12.12
Mar 16 Mark 12.13-17
Mar 17 Mark 12.18-37
Mar 18 Mark 12.38-44
Mar 19 Mark 13.1-37
Mar 20 Mark 13.9-13
Mar 21 Mark 14.1-11
Mar 22 Mark 14.12-31
Mar 23 Mark 14.32-42
Mar 24 Mark 14.43-65
Mar 25 Mark 14.66-72
Mar 26 Mark 15.1-20
Mar 27 Mark 15.21-37
Mar 28 catch-up
Mar 29 Mark 15.38-47
Mar 30 Mark 16.1-8
Before you read, pray:
Lord Jesus, as I journey through Mark’s gospel, show me who you are, why you came, and what it means for me to follow you. Open my heart and mind to hear your Spirit speak to me through these verses. Amen.
After you read, think:
What does this passage show me about Jesus?
What implications are there for me as a disciple of Jesus?
Then take your thoughts to Jesus in prayer
Feb 4 Mark 1.1-8
Feb 5 Mark 1.9-20
Feb 6 Mark 1.21-39
Feb 7 Mark 1.40-45
Feb 8 Mark 2.1-12
Feb 9 Mark 2.13-17
Feb 10 Mark 2.18 – 3.6
Feb 11 Mark 3.7-13
Feb 12 Mark 3.14-19
Feb 13 Mark 3.20-35
Feb 14 Mark 4.1-20
Feb 15 Mark 4.21-34
Feb 16 Mark 4.35-41
Feb 17 Mark 5.1-20
Feb 18 Mark 5.21-43
Feb 19 catch-up
Feb 20 Mark 6.1-6
Feb 21 Mark 6.6-29
Feb 22 Mark 6.30-44
Feb 23 Mark 6.45-56
Feb 24 Mark 7.1-23
Feb 25 Mark 7.24-30
Feb 26 Mark 7.31-37
Feb 27 Mark 8.1-10
Feb 28 Mark 8.11-21
Feb 29 Mark 8.22-26
Mar 1 Mark 8.27-30
Mar 2 Mark 8.31-38
Mar 3 Mark 9.1-13
Mar 4 Mark 9.14-29
Mar 5 catch-up
Mar 6 Mark 9.30-41
Mar 7 Mark 9.42-50
Mar 8 Mark 10.1-16
Mar 9 Mark 10.13-27
Mar 10 Mark 10.28-45
Mar 11 Mark 10.46-52
Mar 12 Mark 11.1-11
Mar 13 Mark 11.12-26
Mar 14 catch-up
Mar 15 Mark 11.27-12.12
Mar 16 Mark 12.13-17
Mar 17 Mark 12.18-37
Mar 18 Mark 12.38-44
Mar 19 Mark 13.1-37
Mar 20 Mark 13.9-13
Mar 21 Mark 14.1-11
Mar 22 Mark 14.12-31
Mar 23 Mark 14.32-42
Mar 24 Mark 14.43-65
Mar 25 Mark 14.66-72
Mar 26 Mark 15.1-20
Mar 27 Mark 15.21-37
Mar 28 catch-up
Mar 29 Mark 15.38-47
Mar 30 Mark 16.1-8