AGENDA – PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM

OPENING PRAYER - Heavenly Father, we thank you for this opportunity to read and study Your Word. Please guide our thoughts and open our hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal. In Jesus' name, Amen.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE HEALING OF A PARALYTIC
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE GERASENE DEMONIAC
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JAIRUS'S DAUGHTER AND THE WOMAN WITH A HEMORRHAGE
SCENIC VIEW - One of Mark's favorite strategies for telling stories is a sandwich narrative. He will start one story, move to a second story, then return to the original story. By pairing the stories together, they help explain each other. a sandwich narrative. He will start one story, move to a second story, then return to the original story. By pairing the stories together, they help explain each other. Check out Mark 7:1-30 and Mark 11:12-25. How do the stories that Mark paired together in these examples inform one another?
In these "Markan sandwiches," the outer story (the bread) and the inner story (the meat) act as mirrors, using one to provide the theological key for the other. 
1. Mark 7:1-30: Pure Hearts and "Unclean" People
•	The Bread (7:1-23): Jesus disputes with the Pharisees over ceremonial washing. He argues that nothing from the outside (like unwashed hands or certain foods) can defile a person; only what comes from the inside (the heart) makes one unclean.
•	The Meat (7:24-30): Jesus enters Gentile territory and encounters a Syrophoenician woman. In that culture, a Gentile woman was considered the ultimate "unclean" outsider.
•	The Connection: By placing the story of the Gentile woman immediately after the teaching on "clean" and "unclean" foods, Mark shows that Jesus’ new definition of purity extends to people, too. If no food is inherently "unclean," then no person is inherently "unclean" either. The woman’s "pure" heart and persistent faith prove that she is truly clean, despite her outsider status. 
2. Mark 11:12-25: The Fruitless Fig Tree and the Temple
•	The Bread (11:12-14, 20-25): Jesus curses a leafy fig tree because it has no fruit. The next day, the disciples see it has withered "from the roots up".
•	The Meat (11:15-19): In between the cursing and the withering, Jesus "cleanses" the Temple, driving out the money-changers and declaring it a "den of robbers".
•	The Connection: The fig tree is a symbol for Israel and its Temple. Just as the tree had leaves (outward appearance) but no fruit (actual nourishment), the Temple had elaborate rituals but no true spiritual fruit or welcome for the nations. The withering of the tree serves as a prophetic warning that the Temple system, found barren by Jesus, is under judgment and will soon pass away.
SCENIC VIEW - Miracles and belief function differently in the first three gospels than in the Gospel of John. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, belief precedes the miracle. When people believe, Jesus is empowered to heal them. In John, the miracles are signs that lead to belief; people see the miracle, and then they believe. Can you spot which miracles in this chapter are from Matthew, Mark, or Luke and which are from John?
In John 1–12  (the "Book of Signs"), Jesus performs seven specific miracles that serve as "signs" to reveal his identity and spark belief. In contrast, Matthew, Mark, and Luke (the Synoptic Gospels) often feature miracles where the person's existing faith is the catalyst for the healing. 
Below is a guide to identifying which miracles belong to the Synoptic Gospels and which are the specific "signs" found in John 1–12. 
Miracles from John 1–12 (The Signs)
In these stories, the miracle often happens first to reveal Jesus' glory, which then leads witnesses to believe. 
•	Water into Wine at Cana (John 2): Jesus’ first sign; it concludes with "and his disciples believed in him".
•	Healing the Royal Official’s Son (John 4): Jesus heals from a distance; the official and his whole household then believe.
•	The Man at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5): A man crippled for 38 years is healed on the Sabbath.
•	Feeding the 5,000 (John 6): The only miracle found in all four Gospels. In John, this leads to the "Bread of Life" discourse.
•	Walking on Water (John 6): Occurs immediately after the feeding of the 5,000.
•	Healing the Man Born Blind (John 9): Jesus uses mud and spit; the man eventually confesses, "Lord, I believe".
•	Raising Lazarus (John 11): The final and greatest sign in this section, explicitly done so that the crowd "may believe". 
Miracles from Matthew, Mark, and Luke
In these accounts, Jesus often highlights the person's faith before or during the act. 
•	Healing the Paralytic (Mark 2, Matt 9, Luke 5): "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic...".
•	The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5, Matt 9, Luke 8): Jesus tells her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you".
•	Raising Jairus’ Daughter (Mark 5, Matt 9, Luke 8): Jesus tells the father, "Don't be afraid; just believe".
•	Healing of the Centurion’s Servant (Matt 8, Luke 7): Jesus is amazed by the Centurion's faith before the healing occurs.
•	Exorcisms: Mark and the other Synoptics feature many stories of casting out demons (like the Gerasene demoniac), a type of miracle notably absent from the Gospel of John.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS COMMISSIONS THE DISCIPLES
POINT OF INTEREST - The gospels all agree that there were twelve disciples who were closest to Jesus. Who the twelve were varies from list to list, with Peter, James, and John always occupying a primary place.
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS FEEDS A LARGE CROWD
POINT OF INTEREST - There are very few miracle stories that are narrated in all four gospels. The feeding of the 5,000 is one of them. Only John offers this detail about the boy and his lunch. 
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS EXPLAINS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES
POINT OF INTEREST - The "I am" statements are only found in the Gospel of John. Sometimes they are metaphorical ("I am the bread of life," "I am the light of the world," "I am the good shepherd.") Sometimes they appear to underscore Jesus' bread of life," "I am the light of the world," "I am the good shepherd.") Sometimes they appear to underscore Jesus' divinity ("Before Abraham was, I am.") This statement also draws on the revelation of God to Moses in Exodus 3: "I AM WHO I AM."
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE TRANSFIGURATION
SCENIC VIEW - The Transfiguration is an incredibly important moment in the life and ministry of Jesus. The details of the Transfiguration are directly linked to God's revelation to Moses in Exodus 24 and 34. The presence of Moses and Elijah on either side of Jesus reminds us that Jesus does not destroy the law and the prophets of the Old Testament, he fulfills them. This moment of Transfiguration harkens back to Jesus' baptism at the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 3:13-17) and will also serve as a touchstone for the disciples who are present, when they later remember and proclaim the risen Jesus (2 Peter 1:16-18).
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE CENTURION'S SERVANT
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – JESUS HEALS THE MAN BORN BLIND
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE CANAANITE WOMAN
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – THE RICH YOUNG MAN
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD – ZACCHAEUS
AUDIBLE READ THE SCRIPTURE ALOUD - THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
SCENIC VIEW - Scholars commonly divide the Gospel of John into two books: the Book of Signs (John 1:19-12:50) and the Book of Glory (John 13:1-20:31). The Book of Signs describes seven miracles that are increasingly spectacular. The raising of Lazarus is the final and most spectacular of all the signs and ultimately what leads to the religious leaders plotting Jesus' death. The Book of Glory narrates Jesus' final week: his prayers for his followers, his trial, his crucifixion, and his resurrection.
YOU ARE HERE - Jesus knew that Lazarus would be raised, but he still experienced deep grief, weeping over the death of his beloved friend. Thus, Jesus reminds us that our belief in resurrection does not mean that we can't, or shouldn't, weeping over the death of his beloved friend. Thus, Jesus reminds us that our belief in resurrection does not mean that we can't, or shouldn't, grieve the death of those we love. Jesus wept over Lazarus's death, even as he raised him from death. How have you grieved your loved one's death? Pray for someone you have loved and lost.
That is a powerful reflection. The shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept," is often the most profound because it validates that grief is not a lack of faith; it is a testament to the depth of our love.
Even though Jesus held the "end of the story" in his hands, he chose to enter into the raw, human sorrow of Martha and Mary. He didn't rush them to the "happy ending” he stood in the cemetery and felt the weight of their loss.
A Space for Reflection and Prayer
Grief is rarely a straight line. It often feels like the "Markan sandwich" you mentioned earlier—moments of ordinary life interrupted by a sudden, deep return to the memory of the one you lost.
•	Reflect: When you think of your loved one, what is a "miraculous" memory or a specific quality of theirs that still brings light into your life today?
•	Pray: Lord, we thank you that you are a God who weeps with us. We lift up [Name] to you today. We thank you for the time we shared, the love they gave, and the ways they shaped who we are. In the moments where the ache of their absence feels overwhelming, remind us that you are the Resurrection and the Life, and that our tears are safe with you. Amen.
Scripture Citations 
LUKE 5:17-26 | 8:26-39 | 19:1-10 
MARK 5:21-43 | 9:2-10 | 10:17-27 
MATTHEW 9:35-10:4; 11:1 | 8:5-13 | 15:21-28
JOHN 6:1-14 | 6:35-51, 53-58 | 7:53-8:11 | 9:1-7 | 11:1-53
QUESTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY 
1.	Is belief necessary for miracles or do miracles lead to belief? Are both somehow true at the same time?
The "Chicken or the Egg" of Miracles
It’s often both. In the Gospels, we see a "circular" relationship: 
•	Belief as a Prerequisite: Jesus often says, "Your faith has made you well," or declines to do miracles in places like Nazareth because of their lack of belief. This suggests that faith creates the "atmosphere" for the miraculous.
•	Miracles Leading to Belief: Conversely, John’s Gospel calls miracles "signs." Their specific purpose is to point toward Jesus’ identity so that people might believe.
•	Simultaneously True: They usually exist in a feedback loop. A small seed of faith allows one to experience a miracle, which then grows that faith into something deeper. 
2.	Which miracle is most important to you for understanding who Jesus is?
The Most Telling Miracle
The Raising of Lazarus is often cited as the most revealing. It shows the two sides of Jesus perfectly: his humanity (he weeps for his friend) and his divine authority (he commands death itself). It clarifies that he isn’t just a healer of symptoms, but the "Resurrection and the Life."
3.	Is there a miracle story not in this chapter that has been significant for you in your faith journey? What made it important for you?
 Personal Significance: The Miraculous Catch
While your chapter may vary, the story of the Miraculous Catch of Fish (Luke 5) is significant for many. It happens in the middle of Peter’s everyday work. It’s important because it shows that God cares about our "ordinary" struggles (not catching anything at work) and uses those moments to call us into a bigger purpose. 
4.	Which story in this chapter is most difficult for you to accept? Why?
The Hardest Story to Accept
For many, the Cursing of the Fig Tree is the most difficult. Unlike the healings, it seems destructive or impulsive at first glance. It requires a deeper look into the symbolism of Israel to understand that it was a "living parable" about spiritual fruitfulness, rather than an act of divine frustration.
5.	Why do you think the feeding of the 5,000 is one of the only stories to be included in all four gospels? Why do you think the evangelists considered this an important story about Jesus?
The Feeding of the 5,000
This is the only miracle (besides the Resurrection) found in all four Gospels because it hits several "essential" notes: 
•	The New Moses: It mirrors Manna in the desert, signaling to Jewish readers that Jesus is the new Lawgiver.
•	The Eucharist: The language used—taking, blessing, breaking, and giving—foreshadows the Last Supper.
•	Sufficiency: It proves that in Jesus’ hands, "not enough" becomes "more than enough." It is a foundational lesson in how the Kingdom of God operates on multiplication rather than just addition.
NEXT STEPS 
1.	Read the Gospel of Mark. How is Jesus different in that gospel from how he has been presented in these chapters?
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is often characterized by the "Messianic Secret," frequently commanding those he heals or the demons he casts out to remain silent about his identity. Unlike the more divine, cosmic portrayals found in later tradition or the "I Am" declarations of John, Mark’s Jesus is deeply human and urgent. He experiences strong emotions like anger and distress, and his ministry moves at a breakneck pace (marked by the frequent use of "immediately"). He is primarily the Suffering Servant, focused on a journey toward the cross that his own disciples consistently fail to understand.
2.	Read John 1-12. How do miracles and belief interact? How are Jesus' discourses related to the miracles?
In John 1–12, the relationship between miracles and belief is complex and central to the narrative:
Miracles as "Signs": John refers to miracles as semeia (signs). They are not just acts of compassion but are intended to point toward Jesus’ divine identity.
Response of Belief: While some see a sign and believe, John often highlights that miracles alone are insufficient. Some believe only superficially because of the "bread," while others witness the same miracle (like the raising of Lazarus) and respond with a plot to kill him. True belief involves recognizing the spiritual reality behind the physical act.
Discourses as Interpretation: Jesus’ long discourses serve to explain the theological meaning of the miracles. For example, after feeding the five thousand, he delivers the "Bread of Life" discourse to clarify that he is the true sustenance. The miracle provides the physical context for the spiritual revelation.
CLOSING PRAYER - Lord, thank you for this time of study and for Your Word. As we leave, please help us to carry the truths we've learned into our daily lives and to live out Your teachings. May we continue to grow in faith and reflect Your love to others. Amen.