Mark 1:35-39: Living a Life on Mission
Study Guide
Summary: This passage from Mark details a time when Jesus went off alone to pray early in the morning after a long day of ministry. The disciples, confused by His absence at a time when many were looking for Him, sought Him out. Jesus used this as a teaching moment, highlighting the importance of prayer and the focus on a larger mission of preaching the Gospel beyond their current location.
Key Themes:
The Priority of Prayer: Even in the midst of a demanding schedule and apparent success, Jesus prioritized spending time in prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength for His ministry.
The Mission of God: Jesus lived with a clear purpose: to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. His mission shaped His priorities and actions.
The Balance of Word and Deed: Jesus' ministry involved both proclaiming the Gospel (word) and demonstrating God's power and love through healing and other miracles (deed).
The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus requires sacrifice, stepping outside of our comfort zones, and prioritizing God's mission even when it seems inconvenient or others don't understand.
Important Points:
Context is key: This passage comes after Jesus had spent a full day healing the sick, highlighting His dedication to serving others but also the need for personal renewal.
Solitude and focus: Jesus intentionally sought out a solitary place to pray, free from distractions, demonstrating the importance of focused time with God.
Missional Living: Every aspect of life can be infused with purpose when viewed through the lens of God's mission.
The Power of Prayer: Jesus' ministry was marked by authority and power, which stemmed from His deep connection with the Father through prayer.
Reflection Questions:
What are some practical ways I can prioritize spending time in prayer?
How can I better understand and live out God's mission in my everyday life?
Am I more inclined towards "word" or "deed" ministry? How can I find a balance?
What distractions keep me from fully engaging in God's mission?
How can I better support and encourage others who are living on mission?
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences based on the provided excerpt from Mark 1.
Why did Jesus go to a solitary place early in the morning?
How did the disciples react when they found Jesus?
What reason did Jesus give for wanting to leave and go to other villages?
According to the speaker, what are the two most dangerous words that can hinder our mission?
What two things characterized Jesus' ministry, as seen in verse 39?
What is the speaker's main point about the relationship between prayer and effective ministry?
What does the speaker suggest is the reason people might find our commitment to prayer strange?
What does the speaker suggest is a danger of living a good life without proclaiming the Gospel?
How does the speaker suggest we should respond if we struggle to share the Gospel?
What is the speaker's final encouragement to his listeners?
Essay Questions
Analyze the significance of Jesus seeking solitude for prayer in Mark 1:35-39. How does this event inform our understanding of prayer and its role in the life of a disciple?
Discuss the concept of "living a life on mission" as presented in the sermon. What does this look like practically, and what challenges might Christians face in embracing this lifestyle?
The speaker highlights the importance of both "word" and "deed" in fulfilling God's mission. Explore the relationship between these two elements, providing examples from the life of Jesus and considering how Christians can live out this balance today.
Explain how the distractions of contemporary life might hinder Christians from fully embracing their mission. What steps can individuals and communities take to resist these distractions and maintain a focus on God's purposes?
Discuss the idea of prayer as a source of power and authority in the life of a believer, drawing on examples from the Gospel of Mark and reflecting on the connection between prayer and effective ministry.
Glossary of Key Terms
Gospel: The "Good News" about Jesus Christ, specifically His life, death, resurrection, and the offer of salvation through faith in Him.
Kingdom of God: The reign and rule of God, both now in the hearts of believers and fully realized in the future.
Mission: A specific task or purpose that one is sent to accomplish. In the Christian context, it refers to the call to participate in God's work of redeeming and reconciling the world to Himself.
Disciple: A follower of Jesus Christ who seeks to learn from His teachings and example and obey His commands.
Solitude: The state of being alone, often sought for prayer and reflection.
Synagogue: A Jewish place of worship and study.
Authority: The power or right to give orders and expect obedience. Jesus taught and acted with divine authority.
Proclaim: To announce publicly and officially. In the context of the Gospel, it refers to sharing the message of Jesus Christ boldly and clearly.
Deed: An action, especially one that demonstrates one's beliefs or character. In the context of Christian faith, good deeds are an important expression of genuine faith.
Quiz Answer Key
Jesus went to a solitary place to pray, seeking communion with God and strength for His ministry, even after a busy day.
The disciples were confused, wondering why Jesus would leave a place where He was seemingly so needed, and urged Him to return to continue performing miracles.
Jesus explained that He needed to move on to preach in other villages as well, emphasizing that proclaiming the Gospel was the core of His mission.
The two most dangerous words are "it's fine," often reflecting a complacency and acceptance of the status quo that hinders both spiritual growth and active participation in God's mission.
Verse 39 highlights that Jesus' ministry was characterized by both preaching (word) and driving out demons (deed), showing the balance of proclaiming truth and demonstrating God's power.
The speaker suggests that spending time in prayer, like Jesus did, leads to greater power and authority in our own ministries, emphasizing that effectiveness flows from intimacy with God.
The speaker suggests that our commitment to prayer might seem strange to others because the world often prioritizes activity and visible results over quiet communion with God, just as the disciples initially didn't understand Jesus' need for solitude.
The speaker warns that living a morally upright life without explicitly sharing the Gospel might lead people to admire the person rather than recognizing and glorifying God as the source of goodness in their lives.
If we struggle to share the Gospel, we are encouraged to bring that struggle to God in prayer, asking for boldness and courage to speak up and live out our faith authentically.
The speaker encourages listeners to embrace the invitation to live a life on mission, aligning their priorities and actions with God's purposes for their lives.
