Joyful Moments in Christ

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 31 – Mark 4-8

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 31 - Mark 4-8

Week 31: Exploring Mark 4-8

As we enter week 31 of our year-long journey through the New Testament, we will explore Mark 4-8, where Jesus’ teachings and actions reveal profound insights into faith, compassion, and discipleship. Through His parables, we learn about the nature of God’s Kingdom, while His miracles demonstrate His authority over nature, illness, and spiritual forces. Jesus challenges traditions, emphasizing inner purity over external rituals, and begins to prepare His followers for the sacrifices of true discipleship. In these chapters, may we find encouragement to deepen our faith and embrace His calling in our lives.

Mark 4

He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” - Mark 4:40 (ESV)

In Mark 4, Jesus teaches the crowd through parables, including the Parable of the Sower, which illustrates different responses to God’s word. He explains the purpose of parables as a way to reveal truths to those who are open to understanding. Later, Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His power over nature and encouraging His disciples to have faith in Him.

Mark 5

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” - Mark 5:34 (ESV)

Mark 5 recounts three powerful miracles that reveal Jesus’ authority over evil, sickness, and death. Jesus casts demons out of a man in Gerasenes, heals a woman suffering from chronic bleeding, and raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead. These miracles showcase Jesus’ compassion and power, emphasizing His ability to bring restoration and life where others see only hopelessness.

Mark 6

But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” - Mark 6:49-50 (ESV)

In Mark 6, Jesus faces rejection in His hometown, Nazareth, where people doubt His authority due to His familiar background. He then sends out the Twelve disciples, empowering them to heal and teach. This chapter also details the beheading of John the Baptist and concludes with Jesus feeding the 5,000 and walking on water, affirming His divine provision and mastery over nature.

Mark 7

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. - Mark 7:15 (ESV)

Mark 7 focuses on Jesus’ teachings about inner purity, challenging the Pharisees’ emphasis on external traditions. He explains that true defilement comes from within, from the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Jesus then travels to Tyre and heals a Gentile woman’s daughter, and later a deaf and mute man, showing His compassion and breaking social barriers.

Mark 8

And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” - Mark 8:29 (ESV)

In Mark 8, Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 people, similar to His previous feeding of 5,000, highlighting His continual care for the people. The Pharisees demand a sign from Him, but He warns His disciples against their unbelief. After healing a blind man, Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus rebukes Peter for misunderstanding His mission, predicting His suffering, death, and resurrection.

Week 31: New Testament Reading Assignment

Each week, we will read 5 chapters of the New Testament. Some people may prefer to read during the weekdays, while others might enjoy doing most of their reading on the weekends. Choose the method that works best for you!

Printable Resource:

Reading Plan: New Testament in 1 Year

Week 31: Reflection Questions for Mark 4-8

Consider the following reflection questions:

Mark 4: Parables and the Power of Faith

  1. How does Jesus use parables to explain the Kingdom of God, and how can we seek deeper understanding of His teachings?
  2. What does the parable of the sower reveal about faith, and how can we ensure our hearts are “good soil”?
  3. How does Jesus calm the storm, and what does this teach about His power over creation?
  4. What can we learn from the mustard seed about small beginnings, and how does this encourage us in faith?
  5. How does Jesus address fear and doubt in His disciples, and how can we build stronger trust in Him?

Mark 5: Miracles of Healing and Restoration

  1. What does Jesus’ interaction with the demon-possessed man reveal about His compassion, and how can we show compassion to others?
  2. How does the healing of the woman with the bleeding condition highlight faith, and how can we approach Jesus with bold faith?
  3. How does Jesus respond to the death of Jairus’s daughter, and what does this teach about hope and trust?
  4. What can we learn about faith from those who sought Jesus in desperation, and how can we apply this in our lives?
  5. How does Jesus’ power over sickness and death impact our view of His authority?

Mark 6: Miracles and the Mission of the Disciples

  1. How does Jesus respond to rejection in His hometown, and how can we stay faithful when facing rejection?
  2. How does Jesus equip His disciples for ministry, and how can we rely on God when called to serve?
  3. What does the feeding of the five thousand teach about God’s provision, and how can we trust God with our needs?
  4. How does Jesus’ walking on water encourage faith, and how can we respond to His presence in our struggles?
  5. How do the disciples’ reactions to miracles reveal their understanding of Jesus, and how can we deepen our faith?

Mark 7: True Purity and Boundless Compassion

  1. How does Jesus challenge the Pharisees’ view on purity, and how can we focus on inner transformation?
  2. What does Jesus’ teaching about the heart show about the source of sin, and how can we guard our hearts?
  3. How does Jesus respond to the Gentile woman’s faith, and how can we overcome cultural or social barriers to show compassion?
  4. How does the healing of the deaf man reveal Jesus’ power, and how can we trust Him with our own needs?
  5. What does Jesus’ interaction with outsiders teach us about the inclusivity of His ministry?

Mark 8: Miracles, Revelation, and the Cost of Discipleship

  1. How does Jesus’ feeding of the four thousand show His compassion, and how can we trust Him to meet our needs?
  2. What does Jesus mean by the “leaven” of the Pharisees, and how can we guard against similar attitudes?
  3. How does Peter’s declaration reveal understanding of Jesus’ identity, and how can we reflect on who Jesus is to us?
  4. How does Jesus describe the cost of discipleship, and how can we be willing to “take up our cross” daily?
  5. What does the healing of the blind man symbolize about spiritual understanding, and how can we grow in clarity of faith?
Reflection Questions for Mark 4
Reflection Questions for Mark 5
Reflection Questions for Mark 6
Reflection Questions for Mark 7
Reflection Questions for Mark 8

Reflective Prayer

Choose a few verses or topics from these chapters and pray over them. Consider using the ACTS method — Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication:

  • Adoration: Praise God. What specific characteristics of God do these readings bring to mind?
  • Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. What specific sins do these readings bring to mind?
  • Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. What in these readings inspires gratitude?
  • Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. What in these readings inspires a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

Read the New Testament in a Year: Week 31 - Mark 4-8
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” - Mark 4:40 (ESV)
And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” - Mark 5:34 (ESV)
But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” - Mark 6:49-50 (ESV)
There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. - Mark 7:15 (ESV)
And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” - Mark 8:29 (ESV)

Other Reading Plans

Old Testament in 3 Years
Whole Bible: Daily
Whole Bible: 5 Day/Week
Whole Bible: Weekly

Online Resources

Read the Bible in a Year: Blog Series

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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