Course One Lesson One
Mark Lesson #1: Authority of Jesus Read the Scriptures carefully,When you are ready high light the text below, copy
the text below,click Prepare to write the test link, above,when the Email comes up paste the text on the e-mail.Answer the
Questions hit send. Be sure to save a copy of the lesson on your computer for future reference. May God
bless your study of His word. Jesus lived almost 2000 years ago, but even today people all over the world serve
Him. We know this man primarily through four Bible books: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. First-hand acquaintance with these
writings will help us understand Jesus and His message. This course surveys Mark's narrative of Jesus' life. As
you study each lesson, please keep a Bible at your side so that you can verify what you are learning by the Scriptures. You
will notice that Mark is divided into sixteen major sections (chapters), each of which contains small divisions (verses).
When a notation like 5:12 is used in these lessons, you should look at the fifth chapter of Mark and the twelfth verse.
A couple of items before we get started: to profit most from these lessons, you need an open heart to receive what
Jesus taught and did. Allow His words to direct you as you read. A prayer for God's guidance at the beginning and end of each
study is recommended. If you don't understand something mentioned in this course or in your reading of Mark, please feel free
to write your question down and send it to us along with your completed lesson. We'll be happy to answer it if we can.
John Prepares the Way >>> Read Mark 1:1-8. <<< Please read Mark 1:1-8 in your Bible
before continuing the lesson. In the very first verse, Mark announced that he would write about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
It is surprising, therefore, that he did not start out by telling about Jesus Himself; instead, he described the work of John
the Baptist. This was because John was to prepare the way for Jesus. John fulfilled this mission by preaching to get people
ready for the coming of the Lord. John's message focused on two themes that will help us get ready to receive
Christ. First, he preached about repentance. To repent means to decide to change. John was telling his hearers that they had
to reverse their life's direction to get ready for Christ; those unwilling to change could not come to Him. Second, John declared
the greatness of Jesus. He said Jesus was so great that he himself was not even worthy to stoop down and untie His shoes.
This was an amazing declaration because one does not have to have much worth to untie somebody's shoes. In fact, in John's
day, untying shoes was considered to be a slave's lowest duty - John wasn't worthy to be Jesus' humblest slave! So, for us
to be ready to receive Jesus, we must repent (change our lives) and recognize His awesome greatness. *1* John
came to prepare the way for whom? (a) Moses, (b) Mohammed, (c) Jesus, (d) Peter. Answer:------------
*2* What word in our study means "to decide to change"? Answer: ----------- *3*
John said he was unworthy to: a) untie Jesus' shoes; b) carry Jesus' bags; c) stand beside Jesus; d)
talk to Jesus. Answer :------------- Early Events in Jesus' Career >>> Read Mark 1:9-15.
<<< Just like thousands of others, Jesus came to John to be baptized. But as He emerged from the water,
something startling occurred: The Holy Spirit came down upon Him in the form of a dove and a voice from heaven said, "This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God was showing His approval of Jesus in a dramatic way. Then
Jesus entered the wilderness where the devil tempted Him. While Matthew and Luke provide more specific information about the
temptations (Matthew 4; Luke 4), Mark's brief account shows two things. First, Jesus experienced temptation as all men do.
Second, doing what pleases God, as Jesus did when He was baptized, does not exempt one from temptation. Satan often intensifies
his efforts when a person begins to serve God. *4* What two amazing things happened when Jesus was baptized?
Answer: The------------came on Him in a form like a dove, and a voice spoke from------saying, "This is my beloved
Son." *5* Where was Jesus baptized (v9)? Answer: He was baptized in the ---------river
*6* For how many days was Jesus tempted by Satan in the wilderness (v13)? Answer: ------------days
*7* What message did Jesus preach (v15)? Answer: He told people to repent and believe in the----- Jesus
Calls Four Fishermen >>> Read Mark 1:16-20. <<< As Jesus walked along, He saw two of His
friends, Peter and Andrew, who were professional fishermen. He asked them to follow Him and become fishers of men. At once,
they quit their jobs and began following Christ. He next found James and John, and requested that they do the same. With no
hesitation, they left not only their occupation but also their father, and began to accompany the Lord. Clearly, these men
recognized Jesus' greatness. He was the one whose shoes John was unworthy to untie. God had specially acknowledged Him by
His own voice from heaven. So when Jesus demanded radical action (to drop everything and follow Him), they responded immediately.
Note -- Characteristics of followers of Jesus: These fishermen demonstrated the meaning of discipleship. When Jesus
called, they: 1) acted immediately, 2) left both job and family, and 3) started following Him. Christ calls today
through His Word. When we perceive His greatness, we too will: 1) obey immediately all He says, 2) put Him ahead of everything,
including our job and family, and 3) follow Him, allowing His example to direct every step. People who know that
Jesus wants them to change, but put it off, are not like these four fishermen. *8* Which of these things did the
disciples not do when Jesus called them? a) decide immediately; b) leave family and job; c) follow Jesus;
d) go to school for training. Answer------ *9* What did Jesus say He would make these men (v17)?
Answer: He would make them fishers of-------- Jesus Amazes the Crowds >>> Read Mark
1:21-28. <<< Jesus' teaching astounded the multitude in the synagogue (a synagogue was like a church
among the Jews). He taught with authority. He issued His commands as if He had the right to tell others exactly what to do!
Jesus' actions showed that He really had the authority that He claimed. In this paragraph, He cast out a demon.
How? By His words! Nothing more. When Jesus merely said, "Be quiet and come out of him," the demon left the man.
His words had authority even over demons. The calmness with which Jesus expelled demons reflected His power: He never argued
or struggled or created a scene. He simply ordered the demons to leave and they left. No wonder people were amazed. He had
demonstrated the credentials to prove His authority. Note -- Need for authority: In every area, authority is essential.
To determine distance, it is necessary to have a yardstick or standard of measure by which to calculate length. Thus, if someone
wishes to know how long a room is, he measures it. There is no other way to know for sure. God has provided a yardstick in
religion: Jesus and His words. When we wish to know whether something is right or wrong, we should evaluate it by the standard
of the Scriptures. This should be done with every teacher and teaching - even this correspondence course. Therefore, you need
to have a Bible at your side while you are studying, and continually refer to it to be sure that what is taught in these lessons
is true. The Bible is our yardstick. *10* What amazed the multitudes about Jesus? a) physical appearance;
b) intelligence; c) wealth; d) authority in teaching. Answer:------ *11* How did Jesus
expel the demon? a) with an ear-splitting shout; b) with a magical formula; c) with a calm word; d)
by taking up a collection. answer-------- *12* What purpose did Jesus' miracles serve? a) they made
Him rich, b) they demonstrated His authority and proved He was from God, c) they proved people today can do miracles,
d) they served no purpose whatever. Answer:------- Jesus Heals Many >>> Read Mark
1:29-34. <<< Jesus came into Simon Peter's house and found his mother-in-law sick in bed with a high
fever (see Luke 4:38). He spoke to her, raised her up, and the fever left her. She then began waiting on Jesus and the disciples.
He also healed many others who were brought to Him. Several features of Jesus' healings are noteworthy:
* He healed immediately, with no delay. * He healed everyone who came to Him regardless of their disease.
* He healed so completely that Simon's mother-in-law was able to get up and start waiting on them. After a fever
breaks, it normally takes a few days for a person to recover his strength. Jesus' healings put people back as if they had
never had their maladies in the first place! * Jesus sought to avoid publicity. He ordered the demons not to announce
who He was. *13* Whom did Jesus heal in this story? Answer: He healed Simon Peter's -----------
(Thought question: If Peter had a mother-in-law, what does this tell you about Peter?)----------- *14* Which
is not characteristic of Jesus' healings? a) He healed all; b) He healed completely; c) He healed immediately;
d) He healed so He could become rich and popular. Answer:------------ >>> Read Mark 1:35-39.
<<< Jesus frequently sought solitude for prayer. Prayer during the daytime was nearly impossible since
the crowds continually pressed on Him, so He skipped sleep to be able to talk with His Father that He missed so much. After
finally finding Him that morning, the disciples reported that everybody in the town where He had been was seeking Him. Nevertheless,
since He wanted to be able to get the message to as many people as possible, He insisted on moving on to other towns.
*15* Jesus arose early in the morning for what purpose? Answer: He arose to----------- Jesus Heals
a Leper >>> Read Mark 1:40-45. <<< Painful open sores caused everyone to dread leprosy.
Those who contracted it were quarantined because the disease was highly contagious. In this story, Jesus did what no one else
dared do - He touched a leper. When He did so, the man was healed immediately. His sores were instantly transformed into smooth
skin. The Lord then instructed the cleansed leper to report his healing to the priest (a requirement of the law of Moses -
Leviticus 13-14), but to tell no one else. The man, however, went out and told everyone - the exact opposite of what Jesus
had said. Undoubtedly he was thrilled that he had been healed and probably imagined that spreading the news about Jesus would
honor Him. But the fact remains that he did just what Jesus had said not to do. As a result, the Lord was thronged by such
large crowds that He could no longer publicly enter into cities, but had to remain in unpopulated areas. We should learn a
lesson: All disobedience, even well-intentioned, hurts Jesus' work. *16* After Jesus spoke, how long was it till
the leprosy was healed? a) several weeks, b) several days, c) immediate, d) the Bible does not say.
Answer:------------ *17* After Jesus had healed the leper, He told the man to show himself to whom?
Answer: He was to show himself to the------- *18* What result occurred because the leper disobeyed Jesus'
orders? a) he became a leper again; b) Jesus was thronged by crowds so large that He couldn't enter a town;
c) Jesus praised his evangelism; d) he became an apostle. Answer:------------ Summary: This
chapter shows the greatness of Jesus: John was unworthy to untie His shoes; God spoke from heaven endorsing Him; He expelled
demons by a mere word; He healed the sick immediately regardless of the nature of their infirmity. This chapter also indicates
how we should respond to His greatness: immediately obey everything He says no matter what sacrifice is required; respect
the authority of His message; and, obey Him even when His command seems unreasonable
These lessons are designed to be studied in order. Please complete all previous lessons before moving on to a new lesson.
Thank you! For each lesson, please read the Bible passages, looking up the Scriptures in your Bible and answering the
questions. Then follow the directions to submit your answers to us. Also be sure to save each Bible lesson
for future reference. Use the "save as" item on your browser menu, or simply print a copy to keep. Please
put our site in your bookmarks or favorites list, so you can find us to complete subsequent lessons. Gospel of Mark
Online Bible Study Course

The Way Ministries Bible Study
|
 |
Course 2 Lesson one
COURSE 2 Lesson One The Way Ministries Bible Study Why Should You Believe in God, Jesus,
and the Bible? - Part 1 Jesus Is Lord - Lesson #1 INSTRUCTIONS: Please complete all lessons
in the previous course before beginning this course. Thank you! This course consists of eight lessons. Each lesson has
questions throughout formatted so that you can simply type your answers into the spaces provided. In order to truly
benefit from these lessons, students need to spend time seriously considering the message with an open Bible. Most people
think the Internet is a source of instant information, so we tend to skim online material lightly. However, Bible study is
serious activity that will determine your eternal destiny (John 12:48; 2 Tim. 2:15). So we urge you to give these lessons
the careful thought and consideration that all Bible study deserves. Please take your time, read and study each assigned passage
carefully, answer the questions honestly, and consider the applications to your own life. To do less than this will be of
relatively little benefit. You can simply study each lesson online. However, to give the lessons more careful consideration,
we urge you to read each lesson into your browser, then go offline ("hang up" your modem) with the lesson still
in your browser. Then take your time to study the lesson (still in your browser). As you study, please read in your Bible
the passages indicated >>> Scripture <<<. Then read each question that has a number enclosed in asterisks
(*1*, *2*, etc.), When you are ready to anwser the Questions. High light the Questions below, copy, CLICK THE PREPARE TEST,
ABOVE OR BELOW the text, paste on the E-Mail when it comes up anwser the questions, send the E-mail We wish God's
blessings on you in the study and application of His Word. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why Should You Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible? - Part 1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION: Have you ever wondered whether God exists, whether Jesus really is God's Son, or whether
the Bible is really true? If not, you are an unusual person. All people ask these questions at times. The purpose of this
study is to examine the evidence for some of the most basic claims of the Bible. What Claims Does the Bible
Make? 1. The Bible claims that God does exist. >>> Read HEBREWS 11:6. <<< *1*
To please God, what must we believe? (a) whatever our parents taught us, (b) whatever our preacher says, (c)
that God exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Answer (type the letter of the correct answer in the blank):---------
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). 2. The Bible claims to
be an infallible revelation of God's will. >>> Read 2 TIMOTHY 3:16,17. <<< *2* Where
did the Scriptures come from? (a) they are inspired by God, (b) they express the opinions of men, (c) they
are ancient legends of unknown origin. Answer:----------- "...The things that I write unto you are the
commandments of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37). [See Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Thess. 2:13.] 3. The Bible
claims that Jesus is God's Son. >>> Read JOHN 20:26-31. <<< *3* What did Thomas call
Jesus? Answer (type the correct word[s] in each blank): My-------- and my--------. *4* What must we believe to have
eternal life? Answer: Jesus is the------,--------the Son of-------. "...we have heard for ourselves and
know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). [See also John 8:24; Luke 19:10; Matt. 16:15-18;
10:37; John 1:1,14.] Note: these claims do not permit compromise. We cannot say, "The Bible is just a good
book," or "Jesus was just a great man." The Bible claims it is God's word, and Jesus claimed to be God in the
flesh. If these claims are not true, then Jesus is a liar and the Bible is a fraud! What Kind of Evidence Will We
Study? God the Father is invisible (1 John 4:12). We cannot perform laboratory experiments to determine if He exists,
but this does not mean we must accept "blind faith" without evidence. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. His
life can be investigated like any other historical fact. Likewise, many other claims of the Bible can be investigated by logical
and historical evidence. In our daily lives, all of us determine our beliefs on the basis of this kind of evidence.
For example, a hunter may not see an animal, but from its footprints he knows it exists and he knows much about its nature.
In the same way, God has left "footprints on the sands of time." A judge and jury do not physically observe
a crime, yet they reach a verdict about what happened by the testimony of witnesses. >>> Read ACTS 14:17.
<<< *5* God did not leave Himself without what? (a) people, (b) witness, (c) time, (d)
money. Answer:----------- Let us call God's "witnesses," and you be the judge. Weigh the testimony
honestly, then reach a verdict (Rom. 10:17), but remember that you are not determining the guilt or innocence of someone else.
Rather, your verdict will determine your own eternal destiny! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Witness #1: The Existence of the Universe --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No one can deny the existence of the universe. The question is: what is the origin of the universe? Only
two explanations are available: (1) there is an all-wise, all-powerful God who created it; or (2) matter is eternal and, beginning
from an original simple life form, all living things developed gradually over millions of years by process of evolution. Consider
which of these two views best fits the evidence. A. Life Comes Only from Life. >>> Read ACTS
17:24-28. <<< *6* What does this verse say is the origin of life? (a) life on earth has always existed,
(b) an unplanned accident of nature produced the first primitive life by spontaneous generation in an ancient swamp, (c) life
on earth was created by a living, wise, powerful God. Answer: One of the most firmly established laws of science
is the Law of Biogenesis, which says that life comes only from living things. There is no evidence that dead matter can spontaneously
generate life. The Bible agrees with scientific fact, for it says that life came from the eternal, living Creator
(cf. Acts 14:15). However, evolution contradicts scientific proof, since it requires that dead matter sometime spontaneously
came to life. Which view best fits the evidence? B. Living Things Reproduce after Their Own Kind. >>>
Read GENESIS 1:11,21,24,25. <<< *7* What kind of offspring do living things have? (a) the same kind
as the parents, (b) with enough time, entirely different things may evolve, (c) you never know. Answer:------------
Every year millions of living things reproduce, and the offspring is always the same kind as the parent. This is
exactly what the Bible says. The offspring of dogs will be other dogs, not fish, birds, or people! Evolution, however,
teaches that all the present kinds are the offspring of previous different kinds, all the way back to one original life-form.
But there is no convincing evidence for this. Living things adapt to their environment, but where is the proof that they produce
totally different kinds of living things (fish to reptile to bird, etc.)? If evolution was true, there should be
many fossils of intermediate "links" between present kinds of living things. However, the "links" are
still missing! C. The Human Race Is Unique. >>> Read GENESIS 1:26-28. <<< *8*
Man is created in whose image? Answer: In the image of-----------. *9* Man has dominion over what? Answer:
The Simple observation shows that man is far above the animals. Only man has rational intelligence. What
animal uses abstract symbols (letters and numbers) to speak, write, or do mathematical calculations? What animal invents new
tools and machines, trains animals, uses fire, or records wisdom to pass on to future generations? Among animals
there are many shades of intelligence. If man evolved from animals, why are there no animals with shades of intelligence right
up to ours, instead of so vast a gulf? Only man creates new beauty to appreciate in the form of music, art, poetry,
humor, etc. Only man has a conscience and sense of religious values. What animal by nature feels a sense of guilt
or seeks to find and worship the cause of its existence? If man evolved from animals, how do we explain these vast
differences? If we develop new characteristics according to "survival of the fittest," how does appreciation of
art, etc., make us more fit to survive? The Bible, however, easily explains all these differences. Man shares these
characteristics in common, not with the animals, but with God in whose image we were made. D. Design Must Come from
a Designer. >>> Read ROMANS 1:20. <<< *10* How can we see the power and Deity (Godhead)
of God? Answer: By the things He >>> Read PSALMS 19:1. <<< *11* What do the heavens
declare? Answer: The-----------of God. Intelligent beings can recognize the work of another intelligent being.
When an intelligent being designs something to accomplish some purpose, that thing bears the marks of intelligence
- it is intelligible. Other intelligent beings can study how it works, etc. Even if we have never met the maker, we know he
must exist and we can appreciate the degree of his intelligence. To confirm this concept to yourself, take this
test. Try to name one thing that has these characteristics: (1) It appeals to your intelligence - it "makes sense"
as a logical, reasonable way to accomplish some purpose. But, (2) you know it did not originate as the effort of some intelligent
being - it "just happened" by blind chance. Can you name any such thing? A car? house? bridge? The universe
bears countless marks of being designed by an intelligent Being. Cameras are designed by intelligent beings, but
no camera can match the overall performance of the human eye. Where did your eyes come from? Computers are made
by intelligent beings, but the human brain can surpass computers in many ways. Where did your brain come from? Factories
are made by intelligent beings to manufacture a product. But who made the human reproductive system? >>>
Read HEBREWS 3:4. <<< *12* As a house must have a maker, who ultimately built all things? Answer:-----------
*13* Name two other examples of design in nature. Example 1:----------- Example 2:-------- When
you consider all the organs of the human body, then all the other plants and animals, the heavenly bodies, and all the complex
laws of nature, is it reasonable to argue that all this came without intelligent planning? Science is founded on
the conviction that the universe is intelligible - it is so orderly and systematic that the human intelligence is able to
grasp much about its working. Doesn't this, of itself, prove that an intelligent Being invented it? And doesn't the fact that
much of its working is beyond our ability to understand and to duplicate, prove that the intelligent Being who made it is
far superior to us? Every effect must have an adequate cause! Evolution says that life began by blind chance and
then random mutations produced all advanced life forms. The Bible, however, says that the all-wise, all-powerful, living God
intentionally planned and created the universe and all the life forms in it. As you reach your verdict, you must determine
which view is more reasonable and best fits the evidence. (For more information about evolution vs. creation, see
the links at the end of this study.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Witness #2: The Accuracy of the Bible --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although the Bible is a textbook on religion, it often touches on other subjects such as history, geography, or
science. It was written 2000-3500 years ago, when scientific error abounded. Skeptics have searched it mercilessly to disprove
it. But if, despite this, we find that it contains none of the common errors of its day - if it actually speaks truths that
were unknown to scientists till centuries later - then this should strengthen our confidence that it is not from men but from
God. Consider the following examples in which the Bible has been proved to be accurate, even when "scholars"
disagreed with it. A. History and Geography 1. The Hittite nation >>> Read 2 SAMUEL
11:3. <<< *14* What nationality was Uriah? Answer: The Bible often mentions Hittites (Gen. 15:19-21;
Num. 13:29; Josh. 3:10), but for years skeptics said the Bible was wrong. Then in 1906, Hugo Winckler excavated Hattusa, the
Hittite capital. We now know that, at its height, the Hittite civilization rivaled Egypt and Assyria in glory! (See Biblical
World, pp. 290ff.) 2. Pithom and Raamses >>> Read EXODUS 1:11. <<< *15* Name
the two cities the Israelites built in Egypt. Answer: and The Bible says that Israelite slaves built these cities
using bricks of clay mixed with straw, then clay and stubble, then clay alone (Exodus 5:10-21). In 1883, Naville examined
the ruins of Pithom and found all three types of brick. (See Biblical World, pp. 458,459.) 3. The Book of Acts
Sir William Ramsay was a skeptic who sought to disprove Acts by tracing Paul's journeys. Instead, his studies converted
him! The turning point came when he proved that, contrary to accepted views, the Bible was right when it implied Iconium was
in a different region from Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:6). (See Archaeology and Bible History, Free, p. 317.) Consider
these quotations from prominent archeologists: "...it may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery
has ever controverted a Biblical reference. Scores of archaeological findings have been made which confirm in clear outline
or in exact detail historical statements in the Bible. And, by the same token, proper evaluation of Biblical descriptions
has often led to amazing discoveries." - Dr. Nelson Glueck (Rivers in the Desert, p. 31) "...archaeology
has confirmed countless passages which have been rejected by critics as unhistorical or contradictory to known facts ... Yet
archaeological discoveries have shown that these critical charges ... are wrong and that the Bible is trustworthy in the very
statements which have been set aside as untrustworthy ... We do not know of any cases where the Bible has been proved wrong."
- Dr. Joseph P. Free (Archaeology and Bible History, pp. 1,2,134) B. Science >>>Read ISAIAH 40:22.
<<< *16* What is the shape of the earth? (a) circle, (b) flat, (c) cylinder. Answer:---------
Isaiah wrote this when men thought the earth was flat ("circle" = "a circle, sphere" - Gesenius).
Today we have pictures taken from space to show the earth's shape, but how did Isaiah know? >>> Read JOB
26:7. <<< *17* How is the earth held up? Answer: The earth hangs on---------- Ancient men
believed many errors. How did Job know the truth? >>> Read PSALM 8:8. <<< *18* Fish
pass through what in the seas? Answer: They pass through the of the------seas. Men knew of no paths in the
sea until Matthew Maury read this verse. He searched till he discovered the ocean currents, and became known as the Father
of Oceanography. (Impact, 9/91, pp. 3,4). >>> Read ECCLESIASTES 1:7. <<< *19* What does
this verse tell us about rivers? (a) rivers run to the sea, (b) the sea does not get fuller, (c) rivers go
back where they were before, (d) all the preceding. Answer:------------ Today we understand how this happens
by the water cycle and evaporation. How did Solomon know? The Bible has contradicted unproved theories, but properly
understood it has never contradicted any proved scientific fact. Yet it has often stated scientific truths centuries before
men knew them. While the Bible has been repeatedly proved accurate, those who criticize the Bible have been consistently
unable to disprove it. This surely strengthens our faith in other Bible teachings. (To be continued in lesson 2.)
Personal application questions: (These questions are for you to ponder. Your answers will help us understand
your thinking, however they will not affect your "score.") *20* Do you believe that the hypothesis
of evolution agrees with the Bible? ANSWER--------------------- *21* What is your reaction to the evidence
in the lesson showing the accuracy of the Bible in history, geography, and science? ANWSER--------------- *22*
Which view do you believe agrees best with what we observe in nature: ANWSER evolution or creation?
|
|
|
|