Bible Journaling: The Book of Mark

In Mark’s account of the Gospel of Jesus, we will discover some unique journaling prompts that will encourage us to engage with this familiar book in new ways. Mark was one of the twelve disciples who spent a lot of time with Jesus personally when He was on earth - this is the book where Mark tells us about that experience. 

For a broader view of this book of the Bible, we encourage you to watch this video:

Bible Journaling Tip:

Some names of books or people in the Bible also have a second meaning. For instance, Mark is the name of the disciple and to make a mark is to leave behind something, like a footprint or a memory. When you come across something like this it can be funny like a pun. But it is also a great way to memorize! Draw a few numbers 1, 2, 3 at the book of numbers. Draw some images of the workplace at the book of Job. Draw an exit sign at the book of Exodus.

LOOK UP (information): encounter God through the Scripture 

Author:

Mark is one of Jesus’ disciples. See if you can find the story about how Jesus invited Mark to follow Him. What do you think discipleship means? It was a big honor to be invited to apprentice with a rabbi and to do life with them - it involved a whole-life commitment. How do you see this portrayed in the book of Mark?

Audience:

This book was written to record the actions of Jesus on earth, so that the Good News can be spread to more people. Imagine Mark writing this book. What would he say if he saw you reading this very book now, so many years later? How would he react? Imagine meeting Mark in heaven - what would you say to him?

History:

Have you ever wondered about what happened to the disciples after Jesus returned to heaven and after they had written these books? The Bible actually speaks a lot about Mark. He was a very active missionary, planting many churches and also eventually befriending Paul (who wrote much of the New Testament). Can you see Mark’s influence in Paul’s letters?

Genre:

The category this book is part of is called the Gospels. There are 4 Gospels in our Bibles - all written by disciples of Jesus, all telling similar stories, all also telling unique details. What do you think is the reason for having more than one account of what Jesus did on earth? Why do you think it matters that different people wrote about the life of Jesus?

LOOK IN (revelation) - contemplate / reflect on our own lives

Key verse:

Mark 1:15 NIV

"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!"

Inspiration:

We need to become still and take the time to reflect on what Jesus had said. Jesus came at the right time to fulfill the Old Testament hope for a saviour and king, but He was nothing like what the people of God expected their king to be. Was His kingdom immediate at that time? Is it already present? Or will it become present when He returns? 

What does He say we need to do to enter the kingdom? Whose kingdom is He talking about? What is the difference between repenting and believing? Why is it called the good news?

LOOK OUT (transformation): respond with creative worship action  

Drawing prompt:

Fold a page in the middle, and then again, so that you would have 4 blocks if you opened the page. Close it again and grab a pair of scissors. Cut the folded rectangle into a pizza-slice shape, so that when you unfold the page you have a big circle. 

On this circle, we are going to create a summary of the book of Mark using pencils or paint. The book of Mark has 16 chapters, so you can add those numbers spread out all along the edge of the circle (similar to the numbers on a clock). Now, you can illustrate the key events told in each chapter with a picture or some words near that number. 

In the end, you want to have a circle showing the progression and story of this book of the Bible at a glance. This is a tool that you can use for any book of the Bible. It will be easier with books that have fewer chapters, otherwise you might want to create 2-3 circles. 

Bible Journey with HolyJot:

Here are some questions / prompts provided by the HolyJot community. 

• What problems did demons cause this man – 5:3-5. (Think: What does this show about the effect Satan has in the lives of those he controls? Does he work for the good of mankind?)
• What question did Jesus ask the demons – save 5:9? What was the answer?

Follow this link to dive into this book with an online Bible Study group.

 Writing prompt:

Highlight all the stories in the book of Mark that show Jesus as a servant-hearted leader. Write down a list with all the characteristics or attributes of Jesus that make Him such a serving leader. Make an arrow next to each item on your list, and then write down what you can do to also live this way. 

For example:
Fed the multitudes  —> I can serve my friends by cooking for them

Prayer:

God, I want to thank you for the book of Mark. Allow me to understand and see the meaning of the message of this book for my life today. Let my response to this text be worship unto you!