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The Gospel of Mark

  1. Lesson One
    Servant of God, Servant of All (Mark 2–7)
    18 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Good News and the Son of God (Mark 1, 8–9, 11–12, 15, 16:1–8)
    14 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Second Exodus (Isa 40–41, 61, Jer 31)
    15 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    Prophet and Son of Man (Deut 18:18, Dan 7:13–14, Mark 10, 13–14)
    14 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Author and Audience
    14 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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The Old Testament introduces themes that prepare us for Jesus in the Gospels. The Gospels prepare us for the letters of Paul and the other epistles on many topics. For example, specific baptismal language in the Gospels echoes in the epistles. 

After John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and John is imprisoned, we’re told that:

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Mark 1:14-15 (NIV)

Looking ahead to different baptismal formulae in later New Testament books we can see the impact this proclamation of Jesus had on the way early Christians understood their own baptism. Note the similarities in the chart below between Jesus’ words and descriptions of baptism in the letters of Paul and the book of Acts.