🌿 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 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 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.
“He hath done all things well.”
—Mark 7:37
To Jesus Christ be all the glory!
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