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The Studies Stream offers easy access to all the existing Growing Disciples video resources. This stream also features new ‘Deep Dive’ studies on selected books and important themes of the Bible. Frequently Asked Questions will also be answered in written articles. New resources will be added each month.
The title of Mark’s gospel makes clear that it’s all about Jesus, who is the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark presents this message in an economical and direct manner that will be useful for the persecuted 1st century Christians of Rome. Mark’s economic use of language should never be thought simplistic. Instead, he invites the reader’s inquiry into Jesus’ claim to be the kind of suffering servant saviour Messiah described in the latter writings of the prophet Messiah.
Condemned to execution, Jesus makes his journey to Golgotha. He takes up his cross, yet his sympathy goes to those watching him: mourning is all there is to do.
Jesus is returned to Pilate for sentencing. Pilate is hesitant because he knows Jesus is being set up by the Jewish leadership. So he hatches a plan to have Jesus set free. The plan fails, except to reveal exactly what is to happen on the cross.
Having been arrested, Jesus is taken to the High Priest. Jesus is put on trial for blasphemy but there is no [actual] evidence. Eventually, Jesus makes his identity abundantly clear� he is none other than the Son of Man from Daniel 7.
Jesus' arrest in the Garden contrasts human 'force' and spiritual power. In this conflict there is a very real sense in which Jesus is a warrior, a champion, who goes into battle representing his people. He is stepping up into a conflict that we could never win.
Jesus goes to the Garden to pray before his arrest. He earnestly asks his Father is there is a Plan B. God answers his prayer with a 'No'. So, through three sessions of prayer, Jesus� will becomes aligned with the Father�s will. He embraces the cross and all that it will mean for him and humanity.
John's gospel carries the most detailed description of the Last Supper. Rather than focussing on the Passover meal and its symbolism, John is more interested in the extended conversation of Jesus with his closest disciples.
