Welcome to this special celebration of our three-year journey through the Gospel of Mark. As we look back on what we learned about Jesus and remember how God worked among us, may our hearts be filled with gratitude and a renewed desire to follow Him faithfully.
🌿 Our Three-Year Journey
For three years, we journeyed together through the Gospel of Mark. We listened to Jesus’ words, witnessed His mighty works, and learned what it means to follow Him.
This became more than a study of sixteen chapters. God used His Word, our relationships, an unexpected health crisis, and remarkable acts of generosity to teach us about faith, love, service, healing, and provision.
Through every lesson and every pause, Jesus remained at the centre. This is His story, His work, and His glory.
👑 What Mark Taught Us About Jesus
Mark introduced Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. We saw Him teach with authority, forgive sins, heal the sick, deliver those in bondage, calm storms, feed the hungry, and welcome people whom others overlooked.
Jesus was never too busy to notice one person in need. He remained patient with His disciples when they misunderstood, became afraid, or failed Him. Above all, He showed His love by giving His life for our salvation.
“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45
We followed Him to the cross and then to the empty tomb, where we heard the glorious announcement:
“He is risen; he is not here.” —Mark 16:6
What we learned calls for more than increased knowledge. We are called to love Jesus, trust Him, obey Him, and follow Him.
❤️ Learning to Love One Another
When we reached Jesus’ command to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves, we paused for twelve weeks to consider how to live these words.
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength… Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” —Mark 12:30–31
During those weeks, we studied the choleric, melancholic, sanguine, and phlegmatic temperaments. The purpose was not to label people or excuse wrong behaviour. Temperament helped us understand some natural tendencies, but Scripture remained our final authority.
A Light-Hearted Lesson in Patience
Our discussions produced some memorable moments. The sanguines were often eager to answer almost before the question was finished! The cholerics were ready with clear responses and eager to move the discussion forward. Meanwhile, the melancholics and phlegmatics were still quietly considering the question and arranging their thoughts.
While the eager responders wondered whether anyone was going to answer, the reflective ones were doing some serious thinking! We discovered that some people think while talking, while others think before they talk.
The eager responders learned to wait, and the reflective ones were encouraged to speak. We learned to listen, show patience, communicate carefully, and value the strengths of others.
The sanguines brought enthusiasm. The cholerics helped move us forward. The melancholics encouraged deeper thought. The phlegmatics reminded us to slow down and consider. Through it all, Jesus taught us to love one another better.
We did not come away with different temperaments, nor was that the goal. By God’s grace, we came away with greater understanding, patience, and love.
🙏 When the Lessons Became Our Experience
As our three-year study through the Gospel of Mark was drawing to a close, our pastor and teacher, Pastor Penny, experienced a serious health crisis while in Grenada and required an emergency airlift for medical care. Nearly $100,000 CAD was needed. God graciously provided the necessary funds.
From a human point of view, the situation seemed impossible. But Jesus had already reminded us:
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” —Mark 10:27
The amount needed seemed overwhelming, but God provided the funds required for the airlift. Once again, He showed that He is able to make a way when the need appears impossible.
Even before the family knew how the way would be made, God had already prepared the generous giver.
God Provided in Grenada
God’s care was not limited to the airlift. In Grenada, He used a sister to provide accommodation, food, and transportation for the family. Others took turns transporting Sister Penny and Trudy during their one-week stay on the island.
Some gave financially. Some provided food, accommodation, or transportation. Others prayed and encouraged.
“She hath done what she could.” —Mark 14:8
Each person did what God enabled them to do, and He used their different acts of love to care for the Penny family.
God Preserved and Restored Our Pastor/Teacher
The airlift allowed Pastor Penny to receive the medical care he urgently needed. We thank God for the doctors, nurses, air-ambulance team, and other medical professionals He used in Pastor Penny’s care.
Pastor Penny’s recovery gives us a personal reason to praise the compassionate Lord revealed in Mark:
“Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” —Mark 5:19
The study paused while Pastor Penny recovered and while Pastor and Sister Penny gradually returned to the rhythm of teaching. The group responded with prayer, patience, kindness, and understanding.
When the teaching resumed, it was more than a return to our study. It was a testimony of God’s provision, compassion, and restoring grace.
💐 With Heartfelt Gratitude
Pastor Penny and family extend heartfelt gratitude to everyone God used to provide, pray, give, encourage, transport, care, and serve throughout this difficult time.
Some acts of love were public; others were known only to a few. Every gift and act of service was seen by God.
🌿 As We Move Forward
Completing Mark does not mean that our journey with Jesus has ended. The lessons we learned must continue to shape how we worship, pray, serve, give, forgive, and care for one another.
We studied Jesus the Teacher—and He taught us.
We studied Jesus the Servant—and He taught us to serve.
We studied His command to love—and He helped us care for one another.
We studied Jesus the Provider—and we experienced His provision.
We studied Jesus the Healer—and we witnessed His restoring compassion.
We studied the risen Lord—and He gave us hope to continue following Him.
A separate companion guide, Return to Mark, provides a chapter-by-chapter review, personal reflection questions, and an optional guide for group discussion. Please see the guide on the blog: Return to Mark
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us throughout our journey in Mark. Thank You for teaching us who You are and what it means to follow You.
Help us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves. May these truths shape how we worship, pray, serve, give, forgive, and care for one another.
Thank You for providing when the need seemed impossible. Thank You for everyone who prayed, gave, served, encouraged, and helped. Thank You for preserving and restoring Pastor Penny and for strengthening Pastor and Sister Penny to return to teaching.
Keep us faithful as we move forward. May Jesus remain at the centre of our lives, our church, and everything we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Welcome to Return to Mark.
This guide invites you to revisit each chapter of Mark, look carefully at
what it reveals about Jesus, and consider how its truth should shape your
life. Read at your own pace, prayerfully answer the personal reflection
questions, and use the group-discussion suggestions if you are studying
with others.
Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
🌿 The Journey Continues: Return to Mark
Although our three-year group study has ended, our journey through Mark does not have to end here.
We encourage you to reread the Gospel of Mark at your own pace. As you read each chapter, pause and carefully consider What We Saw in Jesus. Notice His character, authority, compassion, words, actions, and responses to people.
Then take time to consider each Personal Reflection question. Record your thoughts, prayers, and responses in a notebook or journal. There is no need to hurry. The goal is not merely to finish Mark again, but to see Jesus more clearly and allow His Word to continue shaping your life.
Choose Your Own Pace
16-Day Journey: Read one chapter each day.
16-Week Journey: Read and reflect on one chapter each week.
Your Own Pace: Take as much time as needed to read, pray, and respond.
For Each Chapter
Read the complete chapter.
Note what you see in Jesus.
Review the main lesson.
Answer the personal reflection questions in your notebook or journal.
Pray about what God has shown you.
Before reading, pray: Lord, open my eyes to see Jesus clearly, and help me respond faithfully to what You show me.
Some readers may wish to meet with others as they reread Mark. This may be done in person, by telephone, or online.
Each person should read the chapter before the meeting and consider the What We Saw in Jesus, Main Lesson, and Personal Reflection sections. Bring a Bible and a notebook or journal to record anything you want to remember.
Discuss the Chapter Together
What stood out to you as you read this chapter?
What did the chapter show us about Jesus?
Was there anything you noticed that you had not seen before?
Which words or actions of Jesus encouraged, challenged, or corrected you?
What does this chapter teach us about following Jesus?
Which personal reflection question spoke to you most?
What is one practical way we can live out this chapter?
Is there a truth we should treasure or share with someone?
How can we pray for one another in light of what we learned?
No one should feel pressured to answer every question or share personal information. Select the questions that best suit the group and allow everyone time to think and respond.
A Simple Meeting Format
Welcome and prayer: 5 minutes
Read or review the chapter: 10 minutes
Discuss what you saw in Jesus: 15 minutes
Discuss practical application: 15 minutes
Share one takeaway and pray: 10 minutes
The meeting could last about 45–55 minutes, but each group may adjust the time.
Keep Jesus at the centre. Keep the discussion grounded in Scripture. Listen patiently to one another. Leave with one truth to practise. Close by praying for one another.
📖 Mark 1 — Jesus Calls Us to Follow Him
Looking Back
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repentance. Jesus was baptized, tempted in the wilderness, and began preaching the good news of God’s kingdom. He called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, taught with authority, drove out an unclean spirit, healed the sick, and showed compassion to a man with leprosy. Even when many people wanted His attention, Jesus made time to pray.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus is the beloved Son of God.
He has authority over sickness and evil.
He calls ordinary people to follow Him.
He is compassionate and prayerful.
Main Lesson: Following Jesus begins with hearing His call and responding. We may not understand everything at once, but we can trust Him and take the next step.
Personal Reflection
How has my understanding of following Jesus grown?
Four men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus and lowered him through the roof. Jesus first forgave the man’s sins and then healed him. Jesus also called Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. When criticized for eating with sinners, He explained that those who are sick need a doctor. He came for people who recognize their need for Him.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus has authority to forgive sins.
He sees faith and welcomes those whom others reject.
He knows the motives of the heart.
He offers new life, not merely outward religion.
Main Lesson: Our deepest need is forgiveness. Jesus welcomes us when we come to Him in repentance and faith.
Personal Reflection
Do I believe that Jesus has forgiven me completely?
Am I helping others come to Him?
Have religious habits replaced a living relationship with Jesus?
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath. The religious leaders cared more about their rules than the man’s need. Jesus appointed twelve apostles whose first calling was to be with Him; then He sent them to preach and serve. He also taught that those who do God’s will belong to His spiritual family.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus values mercy and is grieved by hardened hearts.
He calls people to be with Him before sending them to serve.
He welcomes obedient believers into His family.
Main Lesson: Service for Jesus must grow out of our relationship with Him. We must spend time with Him before trying to work for Him.
Jesus used the parable of the sower to describe different responses to God’s Word. Some hear but quickly lose it. Others allow trouble, worry, or the desire for possessions to prevent growth. Good soil receives the Word and produces fruit. Later, Jesus calmed a violent storm while crossing the sea with His disciples.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus teaches us how to receive God’s Word.
He produces growth from small beginnings.
He has authority over creation.
His presence gives us reason to trust.
Main Lesson: We must do more than hear God’s Word. We must receive it and allow it to produce fruit in our lives.
Jesus delivered a man living in terrible bondage, healed a woman who had suffered for twelve years, and restored Jairus’s daughter to life. Each situation appeared hopeless, but none was beyond His authority and compassion.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus has authority over evil.
He notices individuals even in a crowd.
He responds to desperate faith.
Delays do not mean He has forgotten us.
Main Lesson: No person and no situation are beyond the reach of Jesus. We can bring our deepest needs to Him.
Personal Reflection
What has Jesus done that I should tell others about?
How do I respond when God’s timing feels delayed?
Where is Jesus asking me to trust rather than fear?
Jesus was rejected in His hometown, but He continued His mission and sent His disciples to preach and serve. After teaching a large crowd, He fed thousands with five loaves and two fish. Later, He walked on the water and came near to His frightened disciples.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus remains faithful when people reject Him.
He sends His followers to serve.
He has compassion and can use what appears small.
He comes near when His followers are afraid.
Main Lesson: What we place in Jesus’ hands can be used for His purposes. We must depend upon Him rather than our resources alone.
The religious leaders criticized Jesus’ disciples for not following their traditions. Jesus explained that outward practices cannot cleanse an unchanged heart. He also responded to the humble faith of a Gentile woman and healed a man who could not hear or speak clearly.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus values truth above human tradition.
He sees the condition of our hearts.
His compassion crosses cultural boundaries.
He responds to humble, persistent faith.
Main Lesson: True spiritual change begins in the heart. We must allow Jesus to correct our motives, thoughts, and desires.
Personal Reflection
Am I more concerned about appearance than my heart?
Have I treated a tradition as though it were God’s command?
Jesus fed another large crowd, yet the disciples still struggled to understand. He healed a blind man in stages, reflecting their gradual spiritual sight. Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ but resisted His teaching about suffering. Jesus then taught that anyone who follows Him must deny self and take up the cross.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus patiently helps us understand.
He is the promised Christ who came to suffer and save.
He corrects wrong ideas about His mission.
He calls us to wholehearted surrender.
Main Lesson: Following Jesus means accepting Him as He truly is and surrendering our lives to Him.
Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. The Father declared that Jesus was His beloved Son and commanded the disciples to listen to Him. Jesus later delivered a suffering boy. When the disciples argued about who was greatest, He taught that true greatness is found in humble service.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus is the glorious Son of God.
He deserves our attention and obedience.
He meets us in both faith and weakness.
He defines greatness through service.
Main Lesson: We must listen to Jesus, depend upon Him in prayer, and serve others without seeking recognition.
Personal Reflection
Am I truly listening to Jesus?
Where do I need to pray, “Help my unbelief”?
Am I seeking recognition or an opportunity to serve?
Jesus welcomed children and taught that God’s kingdom must be received with humble dependence. A wealthy man walked away because he was unwilling to surrender his possessions. James and John sought honour, but Jesus taught that leadership is expressed through service. Blind Bartimaeus called persistently to Jesus and received his sight.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus welcomes those who come humbly.
He lovingly exposes what controls our hearts.
He makes possible what is impossible for us.
He came to serve and give His life.
Main Lesson: True discipleship requires surrender. Christian leadership is not about position but about serving others.
Personal Reflection
Is there anything I value more than obedience?
Do I lead by serving?
Where do I need to believe that God can do the impossible?
Jesus entered Jerusalem as the promised King. He cleansed the temple because it had become a place of dishonest business rather than prayer. The fruitless fig tree pictured religious appearance without genuine fruit. Jesus also taught about faith, prayer, and forgiveness.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus is the promised King.
He deserves sincere worship.
He desires spiritual fruit, not empty appearance.
He values prayer and calls us to forgive.
Main Lesson: Jesus must be welcomed as King through more than words. Our worship must be supported by obedience, prayer, fruitfulness, and forgiveness.
Jesus answered questions intended to trap Him and exposed the wrong motives of religious leaders. When asked about the greatest commandment, He said we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbours as ourselves. Jesus also noticed a poor widow whose small offering represented great sacrifice.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus answers with truth and wisdom.
He sees our motives.
He teaches us what matters most.
He values sincere and sacrificial giving.
Main Lesson: Wholehearted love for God must be expressed through practical love for others.
Personal Reflection
Does God have first place in every part of my life?
Jesus warned His disciples about future troubles, persecution, and deception. He told them not to panic or be misled. Instead of giving them a date for His return, He repeatedly told them to watch, remain faithful, and continue their work.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus knows the future.
He prepares His followers for difficult times.
He warns us against deception.
He calls us to remain watchful.
Main Lesson: Readiness for Christ’s return is shown through present faithfulness. We should be doing what He has called us to do.
Personal Reflection
Is my life spiritually alert?
How do I respond to troubling events?
Would Jesus find me faithfully carrying out my assignment?
A woman poured costly perfume upon Jesus in loving devotion. Judas chose to betray Him. During the Passover meal, Jesus used the bread and cup to point to His body and blood. In Gethsemane, He prayed honestly about His suffering but submitted to the Father’s will. Jesus was arrested; His disciples fled, and Peter denied Him.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus receives sincere worship.
He knowingly gave Himself for us.
He submitted to the Father’s will.
He remained faithful when others failed.
Main Lesson: Prayer prepares us for testing. We can speak honestly to God while still submitting to His will.
Personal Reflection
What costly act of worship can I offer Jesus?
Am I praying or depending on my own strength?
Can I honestly say, “Not what I will, but what thou wilt”?
Although Jesus was innocent, Pilate gave in to the crowd and sentenced Him to crucifixion. Jesus was mocked and placed on the cross between two criminals. When He died, the temple curtain was torn from top to bottom. A Roman centurion declared that Jesus truly was the Son of God. Joseph of Arimathea courageously placed His body in a tomb.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus willingly suffered for sinners.
He remained faithful through injustice and rejection.
He gave His life so that we could approach God.
He completed the mission He came to fulfil.
Main Lesson: The cross shows both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s love.
Personal Reflection
What does the cross teach me about Jesus’ love?
Have I fully trusted Him for salvation?
Where is He calling me to stand courageously for Him?
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went to Jesus’ tomb. They wondered who would move the large stone, but it had already been rolled away.
A young man announced that Jesus, who had been crucified, had risen. The women were told to inform the disciples—and Peter—that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. The special mention of Peter showed that his failure had not placed him beyond Christ’s grace and restoration.
In the longer ending, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and later to two other followers. When the disciples refused to believe their reports, Jesus appeared to the eleven and corrected their unbelief. Yet He did not reject them. Instead, He commissioned them to preach the gospel throughout the world.
Jesus said that signs would accompany the spread of the gospel, showing that the risen Lord was working through His followers. These signs were not commands to handle snakes, drink poison, or deliberately place themselves in danger. They pointed to God’s power and protection as the disciples carried out His mission.
Jesus then ascended into heaven and sat at the right hand of God. The disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them.
What We Saw in Jesus
Jesus rose from the dead and kept His promises.
He remembered and restored those who had failed.
He corrected His followers without abandoning them.
He entrusted the gospel to imperfect but willing people.
He ascended into heaven and reigns with authority.
He continued working through His followers.
Main Lesson: The resurrection changed everything. Mark begins with Jesus calling people to follow Him and ends with those followers being sent into the world. Because He is alive, we must continue believing His Word, following His direction, and sharing His good news.
Personal Reflection
How does Jesus’ resurrection give me hope?
What do the words “and Peter” teach me about grace after failure?
Is there a truth from God’s Word that I have been slow to believe?
Through Mark, we learned that following Jesus means repenting and believing the gospel; listening to His Word; trusting Him during storms; depending upon Him in prayer; serving rather than seeking recognition; denying ourselves; loving God wholeheartedly; loving our neighbours; remaining faithful during testing; and sharing the good news that Jesus is alive.
The disciples did not understand everything immediately. They experienced fear, confusion, pride, weakness, and failure. Yet Jesus patiently continued teaching them. Their journey gives us hope. We do not have to be perfect to follow Jesus, but we must remain willing to listen, learn, repent, and continue with Him.
✍️ Remembering Our Journey
Complete one or more statements—or share your own reflection:
Through Mark, I learned that Jesus…
The chapter that affected me most was…
A truth I never want to forget is…
One way God has changed me is…
One way I understand others better is…
Because Jesus is alive, I will…
📓 My Response to the Gospel of Mark
Use a notebook or journal to complete any or all of these statements:
I now understand Jesus to be…
The truth about Jesus that affected me most is…
One chapter I want to study again is…
One way Jesus is calling me to change is…
One habit or attitude I need to surrender is…
One person with whom I can share the good news is…
As I continue following Jesus, I will…
Or write your own response.
🙏 Our Response
As followers of Jesus, may we continue to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; love our neighbours as ourselves; support one another through difficult seasons; respond generously when God places a need before us; and tell others about the great things the Lord has done.
We studied Jesus the Teacher—and He taught us. We studied Jesus the Servant—and He taught us to serve. We studied His command to love—and He helped us care for one another. We studied Jesus the Provider—and we experienced His provision. We studied Jesus the Healer—and we witnessed His restoring compassion. We studied the risen Lord—and He gave us hope to continue following Him.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing who You are through the Gospel of Mark.
As we read each chapter, open our eyes to see You clearly. Help us to receive Your Word, respond honestly, and obey faithfully.
Teach us to trust You, serve others, love God wholeheartedly, and love our neighbours as ourselves.
Keep us faithful as we continue following You. Help us share the good news that You are risen and reigning.
May You remain at the centre of our lives and everything we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
🍞 Come to the Father's Table
Dear Women of Wisdom,
Thank you for your faithful participation in last week's study onO — Omnipresent.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in yourTitus Team WhatsApp gathering. It was a joy to know that you took time to encourage one another, share which attribute has impacted your life the most, and join together in prayer.
We trust those conversations reminded you that while we each journey with God personally, we are also strengthened as we walk together in Christian fellowship.
May the Lord continue to deepen the relationships within your Titus Teams as we encourage one another to grow in the knowledge of Him.
This week, we continue ourA–Z Journey Through the Attributes of Godas we exploreP — Provider. Study/Read and Respond at your own pace.
Today, your Heavenly Father extends a very special invitation...
🍞 A Devotional Reflection: An Invitation to the Father’s Table
Imagine receiving this invitation from your Heavenly Father...
My child,
Come to My table.
There is a place prepared especially for you.
Sit with Me.
Rest in My presence.
Before you ask Me for anything, take a moment to look around My table.
Notice the bread.
Notice the water.
Notice the fruit.
Notice My Word.
Notice the light.
Notice the place I have prepared especially for you.
My table is not empty.
My provision is not lacking.
My love for you has never changed.
This week, I invite you to slow down, receive with gratitude, and trust Me for every need.
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
As you take your seat at the Father's Table this week, notice not only what God provides for your daily needs, but also the countless spiritual blessings He has already placed before you.
Sometimes we become so focused on what we are waiting for that we overlook what our Father has already provided.
At the Father's Table, our focus shifts from what we are missing to all that our Father has already provided.
Take your seat.
Slow down.
Look carefully at the Father's Table.
You may discover that it is already overflowing with His goodness.
There is no need to rush.
Pause often.
Reflect deeply.
Pray sincerely.
Allow God's Word to remind you that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need.
Come with an open heart. Leave with a grateful one.
