Mark 1: 14-20

Go Deep

(Mark 1:14-20)

Read Mark 1:14-20. What captures your attention? What questions does is raise in your mind?

Why do you think Jesus waited until John was put in prison before begin his preaching ministry?

Try to put the good news of God into your own words.

What did Jesus mean by saying, “…the time has come”? The time for what?

What is the kingdom of God? In what sense is it near?

What does the nearness of the kingdom of God have to do with Jesus’s call to repent?

What is repentance and why is it necessary? Can a person enter the kingdom of God without repentance?

What was Jesus expecting people to do when he called them to repent?

How does believing “the good news” (the gospel) fit into all this?

Read verses 16-18. Do you think that Simon and Andrew were interested in the coming of God’s kingdom? Explain your answer.

What is included in the call to “follow” Jesus? How can I follow Jesus?

Read verses 19-20. What strikes you about the call of the sons of Zebedee?

In both verses 18 and 20, the word “left” is used. Why is this important? Do you think that everyone who follows Jesus must leave something behind?

What does any of this have to do with getting closer to Jesus?