Mark
1:9–11
Greeny discovered many doves lived in the area around the Jordan River where John baptized Jesus.
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us, guide us, teach us and comfort us. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is like a dove. It also says that the Holy Spirit is like the wind, or a breath or a fire.
3:28–30
God forgives all our sins. But there is one sin God doesn’t forgive.
It’s speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit. Why is that? It’s because the Holy Spirit works to convince us that we are sinners who need forgiveness. When we speak evil against the Holy Spirit, we refuse to believe what he tells us. So if we don’t believe, we never ask for forgiveness from our sins.
6:7–8
The disciples went out two by two because it was dangerous to travel on their own. Another reason was that the Jews only believed something if there were at least two witnesses. Both witnesses had to agree on what had happened.
6:20
King Herod arrested John the Baptist. Herod’s full name was Herod Antipas. He was the son of King Herod the Great, who had ruled in Jerusalem when Jesus was a baby. Herod Antipas was the king of Galilee. He married his brother’s wife, Herodias. She hated John the Baptist because he didn’t keep quiet about her sins. She wanted him dead!
6:45–52
One night the disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Suddenly, they saw a ghost walking on the water. They were terrified.
Then the ghost spoke to them and they realized that it was Jesus. He had come to help them because of the strong wind.
What do we need to remember when we are scared? Talky says get your group together to talk about this. Give one another advice on ways to remember that Jesus is with us when we are scared.
8:34–38
Arty has something she wants you to do.
Draw the outline of your foot on a piece of paper.
How many ways can you think of to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?
You can write them down inside the outline of your foot.
When is it easy to follow Jesus?
When is it difficult?
How does the Holy Spirit help you to follow Jesus?
9:43–47
Jesus tells us to avoid sinning at all costs.
How are your hands used to do what’s wrong?
Inny wants you to try for one hour to do everything with only one hand. Afterward make a list of everything that was difficult to do using only one hand. Then write down how it felt doing everything with one hand.
Why does Jesus say it’s better to have one hand instead of two hands? One hand is better than two hands if you use your hands to do what’s wrong.
11:1–11
Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a horse. He knew that a conquering king would ride on a horse. He didn’t want the people to think he was a king who had won a war. Even though he was God’s Son and has all the power, he was humble. He was willing to die just like a criminal on the cross. Jesus did this to bring us peace.
11:15–19
For the Jews, the temple was the most important building in the whole world. That was where they brought their sacrifices and where they gathered for their feasts.
Jesus said that the temple was a place where people from all nations should be able to go and pray. The Jews had changed it into a place for buying and selling, so he became angry because he had to set things right.
12:28–34
A teacher of the law asked Jesus, “Which is the most important commandment?” Jesus answered, “Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God.”
You can read these words in Deuteronomy 6:4. Other nations had many gods, but the Jews worshipped one God, the Lord.
12:28–31
How much should we love God? Jesus gives the answer in verse 30.
Try to learn this verse by heart. Inny has some ideas about how you can do it.
Read it every morning when you wake up. Say the verse when you leave your home. Say it when you are on your way to school. Make sure that you mean what you say! Read it before you go to bed. Then think about what difference this verse made to your day.
14 – 15
Arty decides that she will ask her friend Thinky to join her on this looking hunt. They want you to read Mark 14 and 15. Then get a sheet of paper and divide it into three columns. In the first column, make a list of all the events described in the two chapters. In the second column, add the places where everything happened. In the third column, add the people who were with Jesus at the time.
If you like, you can add a fourth column in which you draw a small picture of each event.
15:21–41
Cut or tear faces from old magazines or newspapers. Arty says you can also use photos or draw the faces.
Next, draw the shape of a cross on a large piece of paper. Glue the faces to the cross shape. Use your art piece as a reminder that Jesus died for the sins of all people.
15:37
Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Because God said that he is going to punish everyone for all the wrong that is done. The punishment is death. Jesus died on the cross so that the world could be saved. He took the punishment in our place. When you believe this, God forgives your sin. That is because Jesus has already taken your punishment. And you can become God’s child.
16:14–20
The 11 disciples were having a meal together. Thinky says wait!
There should be 12 disciples! Who isn’t at the meal? Why isn’t he there?
What happened to him? Can you remember the names of the disciples?
Read Mark 3:16–19 if you can’t remember.
What task did Jesus give his disciples? Do you think they completed their task?
Read the very last verse of Mark to find out!