02/21/2026
Carefully crafted by a man named Mark, the oldest account we have of the life of Jesus rides like a speed-train through the early years of Jesus ministry. Fast-paced, action-packed, and the shortest of all the gospels, it's a great starting place if you're new to reading the Bible.
Within the first chapter alone you'll read of multiple exorcisms and healings, in addition to John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism, and his temptations in the wilderness. Only one chapter into the book, large crowds are already following Jesus so that "he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere, but had to stay out in the secluded places..."
As you read the stories of healings, exorcisms, and more, imagine yourself in the stories... Where are you? Are you one of the crowd? Are you in the front row or are you watching from a distance? Are you the one asking for healing?
What are you seeing, thinking, and feeling as you imagine yourself in the story?
Like a good storyteller, Mark doesn't tell us who Jesus is (other than verse 1). Instead, he shows us by telling stories that portray how other people responded to Jesus. The l***r couldn't keep quiet, the crowds were amazed, the demons called him the "Son of God," the religious people thought he had a demon, his family thought he was "out of his mind", the Pharisees plotted to kill him, and four men took off someone's house roof just so they could get their friend healed!
This leaves us with the question...
How will I respond to Jesus?
Join us as we read and study this action-packed story of the most world-changing man who ever lived.
Over the next 8 weeks leading up to Easter, we'll unpack this gospel and talk about:
-How to get and stay hungry for Jesus, including 3 lies the devil tells us to ruin our appetites
-What is the "new teaching" and "authority" that the people saw in Jesus (1:27)
-What makes the "good news" so good
-Why did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a young donkey
-What Peter still didn't understand about Jesus even when he correctly called him "The Messiah"
You can prepare yourself by reading the stories in Mark on your own.
Join us at 10:00 AM in the basement of the Albright Center (450 Chestnut St) in Sunbury!