After several readings and some study of the passage here is what I shared with the group. Remember this is not a sermon or an in-depth Bible class.
The first verse of Mark 1 states it is "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
Here is a very basic outline of the four big parts of Jesus' ministry in Mark 1:2 - 15.
The first account of the gospel is John the Baptist's prediction of the coming Jesus Christ (vv. 2 -8). Then John baptizes Jesus Christ (vv. 9 - 11). The amazing part in these verses is God's proclamation that Jesus is "my beloved son; with you, I am well pleased" (v. 11). Immediately after this prediction and proclamation, Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness (vv. 12 - 13). Jesus' humanity and his victory over sin are demonstrated here.
Finally, Jesus clearly declares his gospel mission (vv. 14 - 15)
The time has been fulfilled. The kingdom of God is near. Jesus proclaims "Repent and believe in the gospel" which is Jesus Christ (see Mark 1:1).
Jesus is predicted by John the Baptist.
Jesus is proclaimed. to be the Son of God by God himself.
Jesus is victorious over sin and Satan in the wilderness.
Jesus is clear about his mission - Repent and Believe in Jesus.
Then, what happens next in Mark 1?
Jesus,
the predicted one,
the Son of God,
the victor over sin,
the savior of the world,
chose FOUR FISHERMEN to become his disciples, to become fishers of men.
Jesus, God in the flesh, calls four fishermen to follow him.
The mission is not about how great those called are and what they can do.
The mission is about how great the one who calls is and what he can do.
Part of Jesus' plan to reach the world with the Gospel was to teach and build relationships with people who would teach and build relationships with others. He modeled disciple-making for his disciples. We need to do the same. The other, and most important, part of Jesus' plan to reach the world with the gospel was to die for sinners and rise from the dead, which is the message we need to proclaim.
So Jesus demonstrated the disciple-making method.
A life-changing relationship filled with God-glorifying, Christ-centered, and Holy Spirit-empowered preaching and training.
Jesus also did what was needed to reconcile sinners to God.
He died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
Disciple of Jesus Christ, no matter what your job is OR isn't right now you have great opportunities to grow in your dependence upon Jesus Christ and to share the life-changing message of the Gospel with others. The reason you have an amazing testimony, and you do have an amazing testimony, is because of who God is and what He has done for you, a sinner, through Jesus Christ.
Remember that!
Added on 6/7/20:
Matthias Media has a book entitled One-to-One Bible Reading that focuses on how to read the Bible with someone else. There is also a pdf of basic questions to ask when reading any of the different types of books in the Bible.
