Bible Study on the Book of Mark

The Voice Out of the Wildnerness
Lesson 1
Mark 1:1-8





The Voice Out of the Wilderness
Lesson 1
Mark 1:1-8





1) What message from the Old Testament did Mark use to start his gospel of Jesus Christ?
Mark 1:1-2 Isaiah 57:14 Malachi 3:1


2) How can the information from question one apply to our ministry for the Lord?


3) What was the job of the person sent before the Lord?
Mark 1:3


4) How can we have the same job description as John the Baptist?


5) What were John the Baptist sermon topics for the people?
Mark 1:4


6) A part of John’s message was repentance. Read the following verses and explain the benefits of performing this action.

2 Chronicles 7:14 Acts 2:38 Revelations 16:9-11


7) What was the crowd's response to John the Baptist’s ministry?
Mark 1:5


8) According to John the Baptist, how did he describe Jesus Christ and His mission for the world?
Mark 1:6-8 Matthew 3:9-11


9) What would you say if someone didn’t know Jesus and asked you for a description of Christ and His mission?



JUST A THOUGHT





Any built structure needs to have a firm foundation to be solid and last for a long time. These structures include homes, office buildings, sports stadiums, bridges, and churches. No matter how large the edifice is, the land needs to be ready to handle the weight and ensure the safety of everyone there. However, it often needs to be cleared and prepared to ensure the land is suitable. Ground covered in rocks, debris, water, or sand can make the land unstable for the built structure. John the Baptist was the clearing the people in Jerusalem needed.

John the Baptist was a preacher who prepared the way for Jesus Christ’s ministry to the people at that time. John, cousin to Jesus, was a preacher who spoke about forgiveness and changing their lives in preparation for the Lord. He didn’t want to speak of himself. To John, his mission was to uplift Jesus for the crowds that the Savior of the world would soon bless. Like John, we also have a similar mission.

Jesus desires for the gospel to be spread across the world. Later in the book of Mark, we’ll see His example of helping people and ministering to all He met. Nevertheless, there is a plethora of unsuitable land or distractions that paralyze people from having a relationship with God. If a person were to scour the internet, you would see so much information bombarding the mind to keep us away from God’s words and knowledge being spoken. It’s tough for the world, but not impossible for them to understand who Jesus is. Like during John the Baptist’s time, the world needed a clearing or someone to help focus on the Lord. In some way, that means us taking on the role of John the Baptist.

We started this Just a Thought with the importance of a good foundation being laid before a building. So it is with the gospel being spread to the neighborhood, city, state, country, and world. Many people will be John the Baptist in their area. They might not get the attention of an interior designer of houses and office buildings. These essential ministers for the Lord are like those whose job is to clear the land and remove trash from a construction site. We see dump trucks or even oversized metal trash bins and think nothing of them. However, people who remove waste and debris allow the construction or remodeling to occur quickly and efficiently. So it is with us.

A large group of people are called to clear the way. They might do this by preaching, singing, using their medical talents, being great hosts for newcomers, prayer warriors, and those who go out to brighten another’s day. There are so many people whose job is just like John the Baptist they have to go into a community and start the message of God’s love. They are the ones who plant that idea so that others behind them can work more efficiently in spiritually feeding the gospel to those in need.

For anyone whom God has called to serve the same purpose as John the Baptist, take that with honor, grace, humility, and love. You are as essential as the preacher, chorister, prophet, or teacher who might have more fame but could not do their job without you. God sees your importance, which will be greatly esteemed in Heaven. The Lord made you fulfill a purpose. Do it joyfully, knowing you share the same characteristics as John the Baptist.