Men's group - Mark 15:42-Mark 16:20 (Session 8) - Scott is leading
Canceled
Jun
14
Details
IN: Connecting w/One Another
This is it! Your last study! Before diving into the text, take a moment to share about the
following:
As you reflect on all that you have learned about Jesus through Mark’s gospel, how would you
answer the following question: What kind of king is Jesus and why should we follow him? It’s
okay if you are still unsure! If that is you, what questions still remain? How might you go about
learning more about Jesus?
Once a few of you have had a chance to share, it is time to dive into your final study…
UP: Connecting w/God Through Scripture
Before you read the text, take a moment to set up the context for the passage. Here are some
things you could share with your group:
literary context
There is some debate about how this gospel ends. Many of the earliest manuscripts
do not have Mark 16:9-20. As such, many scholars believe that it was inserted later by
an editor who was uncomfortable that Mark ended the story where he did, and
therefore drew on the other gospels to fill in the last portion of the story.
historical & cultural context
Tomb. This kind of tomb would have been reserved for only the wealthiest individuals.
In such cases this tomb would have been a family tomb. Initially the body would be
wrapped in linen and spices, and placed on a stone slab. After a year, when the body
had sufficiently decayed, they would re-open it, collect the bones, and place them in
smaller boxes for permanent burial. Large stones were rolled over the entrances to
these tombs to protect the body from decay.
The women. The testimony of women in ancient Israel was highly suspect and was not
even admissible in a court of law.
Page 36 of 38
Once you’ve set up the context a bit, read Mark 15:42-16:20 out loud. After hearing the
passage, take a moment of silence to let it sink in. Then you can dive into discussion.
1. Take a close look at 15:42-47. What do we learn about Joseph from just this brief
account? This tomb was most likely Joseph’s own family tomb. What does this tell you
about the impact that Jesus had during his life and ministry?
2. Imagine you are walking to the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath with the women.
What would have been going through your head as you beheld the scene as described in
16:1-8.
3. Consider the message in verses 6-7 in light of the rest of Mark’s gospel. In what ways
does this message make sense in light of all we’ve already seen of Jesus’ ministry?
4. It says the women fled from the tomb in trembling and astonishment and were afraid to tell
anyone. Why might they be afraid?
5. In 16:1-8 it highlights the fact that the first witnesses to the empty tomb were women.
What is significant about this? In what ways does this actually affirm the authenticity of
Mark’s account?
6. Many scholars believe that 16:9-20 are not original to Mark’s gospel, being inserted by a
later editor. You’ve now spent weeks studying this gospel. Based on the language and
style of this last portion, do you believe it is original to Mark’s gospel or not? Justify your
answer. What are the implications for including it? For excluding it?
7. Assuming Mark’s original version ends at verse 8, why might Mark choose to end his
gospel here? What point might he be trying to make?
Page 37 of 38
OUT: Connect w/The Mission
Let’s take a moment to apply this passage to our own lives. Mark begins his gospel with the
words, “The beginning of the gospel (good news) about Jesus Christ, the son of God.” The
book ends with an empty tomb and the message that Jesus is risen. Though handed over to
death, death could not hold him, and the first witnesses to the empty tomb are sent out with
the message that Jesus lives once more. So let’s consider all that we’ve learned along the
way…
Application 1) The Open-Ended Question…
Mark essentially concludes his gospel with an open-ended question. After laying out all of the
deeds and words of Jesus, he essentially concludes with the empty tomb and says, “So what
do you think? Who do you say Jesus is?” So take a moment to reflect on that. You’ve studied
the evidence, listened to the voice of Jesus, and observed his actions for yourself. Who do
you say Jesus is? Why? What questions remain? Take a moment to reflect and share with a
partner. What further steps are you going to take in studying the life of Christ?
Application 2) Sent with a Message…
The first witnesses to the empty tomb are sent with a message that Jesus Christ is risen. And
now we are entrusted to continue sharing that Good News. Who is Jesus sending you to with
the Good News? How and what might you share based on your study in Mark’s gospel? Take
some time to reflect on this and share with a partner. Then pray for one another, that you
would be bold witnesses for Christ, and pray for those to whom you are sent, that God would
open their hearts to the Good News that He has sent you to share.
Application 3) Unlikely Messengers…
The first witnesses were an unlikely bunch: women whose testimony would not have even
been admissible in court. It is easy to understand why they would go out with such fear and
trembling. But they went, nonetheless, and the good news of Jesus went with them. In what
ways do you feel unequal to the task? What fears do you wrestle with when it comes to
sharing your faith? How does knowing the good news of Jesus motivate you to share
nonetheless? Take some time to reflect on this and share with a partner. Bring these fears to
God in prayer and commit to taking steps to share the news with others.
This is it! Your last study! Before diving into the text, take a moment to share about the
following:
As you reflect on all that you have learned about Jesus through Mark’s gospel, how would you
answer the following question: What kind of king is Jesus and why should we follow him? It’s
okay if you are still unsure! If that is you, what questions still remain? How might you go about
learning more about Jesus?
Once a few of you have had a chance to share, it is time to dive into your final study…
UP: Connecting w/God Through Scripture
Before you read the text, take a moment to set up the context for the passage. Here are some
things you could share with your group:
literary context
There is some debate about how this gospel ends. Many of the earliest manuscripts
do not have Mark 16:9-20. As such, many scholars believe that it was inserted later by
an editor who was uncomfortable that Mark ended the story where he did, and
therefore drew on the other gospels to fill in the last portion of the story.
historical & cultural context
Tomb. This kind of tomb would have been reserved for only the wealthiest individuals.
In such cases this tomb would have been a family tomb. Initially the body would be
wrapped in linen and spices, and placed on a stone slab. After a year, when the body
had sufficiently decayed, they would re-open it, collect the bones, and place them in
smaller boxes for permanent burial. Large stones were rolled over the entrances to
these tombs to protect the body from decay.
The women. The testimony of women in ancient Israel was highly suspect and was not
even admissible in a court of law.
Page 36 of 38
Once you’ve set up the context a bit, read Mark 15:42-16:20 out loud. After hearing the
passage, take a moment of silence to let it sink in. Then you can dive into discussion.
1. Take a close look at 15:42-47. What do we learn about Joseph from just this brief
account? This tomb was most likely Joseph’s own family tomb. What does this tell you
about the impact that Jesus had during his life and ministry?
2. Imagine you are walking to the tomb on the morning after the Sabbath with the women.
What would have been going through your head as you beheld the scene as described in
16:1-8.
3. Consider the message in verses 6-7 in light of the rest of Mark’s gospel. In what ways
does this message make sense in light of all we’ve already seen of Jesus’ ministry?
4. It says the women fled from the tomb in trembling and astonishment and were afraid to tell
anyone. Why might they be afraid?
5. In 16:1-8 it highlights the fact that the first witnesses to the empty tomb were women.
What is significant about this? In what ways does this actually affirm the authenticity of
Mark’s account?
6. Many scholars believe that 16:9-20 are not original to Mark’s gospel, being inserted by a
later editor. You’ve now spent weeks studying this gospel. Based on the language and
style of this last portion, do you believe it is original to Mark’s gospel or not? Justify your
answer. What are the implications for including it? For excluding it?
7. Assuming Mark’s original version ends at verse 8, why might Mark choose to end his
gospel here? What point might he be trying to make?
Page 37 of 38
OUT: Connect w/The Mission
Let’s take a moment to apply this passage to our own lives. Mark begins his gospel with the
words, “The beginning of the gospel (good news) about Jesus Christ, the son of God.” The
book ends with an empty tomb and the message that Jesus is risen. Though handed over to
death, death could not hold him, and the first witnesses to the empty tomb are sent out with
the message that Jesus lives once more. So let’s consider all that we’ve learned along the
way…
Application 1) The Open-Ended Question…
Mark essentially concludes his gospel with an open-ended question. After laying out all of the
deeds and words of Jesus, he essentially concludes with the empty tomb and says, “So what
do you think? Who do you say Jesus is?” So take a moment to reflect on that. You’ve studied
the evidence, listened to the voice of Jesus, and observed his actions for yourself. Who do
you say Jesus is? Why? What questions remain? Take a moment to reflect and share with a
partner. What further steps are you going to take in studying the life of Christ?
Application 2) Sent with a Message…
The first witnesses to the empty tomb are sent with a message that Jesus Christ is risen. And
now we are entrusted to continue sharing that Good News. Who is Jesus sending you to with
the Good News? How and what might you share based on your study in Mark’s gospel? Take
some time to reflect on this and share with a partner. Then pray for one another, that you
would be bold witnesses for Christ, and pray for those to whom you are sent, that God would
open their hearts to the Good News that He has sent you to share.
Application 3) Unlikely Messengers…
The first witnesses were an unlikely bunch: women whose testimony would not have even
been admissible in court. It is easy to understand why they would go out with such fear and
trembling. But they went, nonetheless, and the good news of Jesus went with them. In what
ways do you feel unequal to the task? What fears do you wrestle with when it comes to
sharing your faith? How does knowing the good news of Jesus motivate you to share
nonetheless? Take some time to reflect on this and share with a partner. Bring these fears to
God in prayer and commit to taking steps to share the news with others.
Location
Trinity Kimberly Way