Preparing to Read Mark | A 16-Unit Reading Guide

Text size

Faith & Reading › Preparing to Read Mark

Faith & Reading · A 16-unit reading journey

Before reading the Gospel of Mark, get to know the biblical story and the world behind it.

This background guide is for people exploring Christianity on their own. From creation to the Jewish world of the first century, it introduces the stories, historical setting and important terms that Mark assumes its readers know. It is not a complete course in Christian faith or a verse-by-verse commentary.

How to read this series

Follow units 01 to 16 in order. Begin with the questions at the start of each unit, then read the text and the Bible passages listed. You do not need to remember every term at once; first follow the sequence of events, the central people, and the thread of God’s promises.

From creation to the world of Mark

The beginning · 01–02Creation and the fall: the world’s good beginning and how sin damages relationships.
Promise and a people · 03–08From Abraham to the judges: promise, the exodus, covenant and the promised land.
Kingdom, exile and return · 09–13The rise and fall of the kingdom, the prophets’ message, exile and the Second Temple.
The world of Mark · 14–16Greek and Roman rule, messianic hope, and the setting of the first century.

The sixteen units

  1. 01CreationThe starting point: the world, humanity, and God
  2. 02The FallWhy has the world become the way it is?
  3. 03AbrahamGod begins a plan to bless all peoples
  4. 04Jacob’s Family and the Twelve Tribes of IsraelFrom one family to twelve tribes and Egypt
  5. 05The Exodus and MosesGod rescues his people
  6. 06The Sinai Covenant and the LawBecoming God’s people
  7. 07The Wilderness and the Promised LandFrom unbelief to entering Canaan
  8. 08The Time of the JudgesNo king, and everyone does as they please
  9. 09The Establishment of the KingdomSaul, David, and God's promise to David
  10. 10Solomon, the Temple, and the Divided KingdomFrom the kingdom's height to northern Israel and southern Judah
  11. 11Prophets in the Divided KingdomWhen kings and people turn away from God, who speaks the truth?
  12. 12National Collapse, Exile, and the Hope of RestorationLand, kingdom, and temple—all were lost
  13. 13The Return and the Second TempleBack in Jerusalem—is true restoration complete?
  14. 14The Jewish World under Hellenistic and Roman RuleFrom the Hellenistic world to Roman rule
  15. 15The Messiah, the Kingdom of God, and Hope for the Last DaysThe Messiah, God's kingdom, and Jewish hopes
  16. 16First-Century Jewish Society and Key Terms in MarkMeet the people, groups, institutions, and key terms you will encounter

Based on version 1.0 of the original reading guide. English Bible quotations are our translations of the supplied Chinese quotations, with the original Scripture references retained.