| In Mark, we find that Jesus gave us clear expectations about who He was and what He expects of us. — Jeff Manion 
Mark: The Invitation by Jeff Manion from session one, Mark: 40 Days Through the Book 
Welcome to Bible Study of the Week, where every Sunday we give you the free first sessions of video Bible studies from leading authors, pastors, and Bible teachers. Pastor Jeff Manion is the author of Mark: In the Company of Christ, one of the debut studies in the new series, 40 Days Through the Book. Each of the studies in this series, taught by a different pastor or Bible teacher on specific books of the Bible, is designed to help us more actively engage with God's Word by understanding its background and culture, and applying it in a fresh way to our lives. Look for more studies coming out soon for Romans (Max Lucado), Philippians (Mark Batterson), and 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Levi Lusko).
Now here's Jeff Manion with the first session on the Gospel of Mark...
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Mark 1:1–3:6
In the opening chapters of Mark, we see the meteoric rise of Jesus. We then witness conflict when the religious leaders decide they do not like what Jesus is teaching and how the crowds are drawn to Him. Jesus is helping the people of His day understand who He is and what He expects of those who make the decision to follow Him.
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When expectations are crystal clear, everyone benefits. Just consider the workplace. Employers who give their new employees a written job description with detailed responsibilities and expectations avoid all kinds of future problems. Just imagine a boss telling a brand-new employee, "We don't have job descriptions or specific responsibilities for our employees. We just hope you figure things out as you go!" It would be a recipe for disaster.
Likewise, couples repeat vows at their wedding ceremony to set up clear expectations. The couple vows to stick together and love each other "in sickness and in health, for better and for worse," for as long as they both shall live. We have all heard these words at weddings. Why do they matter? Because any significant commitment involves setting up clear expectations and declarations of how the parties will conduct themselves.
In our modern world, we often end up skimming over words of commitment and rashly clicking the approve button. Just think about those agreements or contracts that pop up on a computer or tablet. When was the last time you actually read every word in these agreements? Most of us just scroll to the end and click "agree" without a second thought.
In the Gospel of Mark, we find that Jesus gave us clear expectations about who He was and what He expects of us. When it comes to following Jesus, we are wise to slow down and read the fine print. There is nothing better than being a disciple of Jesus, but there is also nothing that will call us to greater commitment and sacrifice. So, as you begin this study, pay close attention to the words of this powerful biography of Jesus. It will reveal who Jesus is with staggering precision. It will also show who you are to be and what is expected if you are going to bear His name and accept the call to follow Him.
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Think about when you first made the decision to follow Jesus. What did you think was expected of a Christian? How has your understanding changed and matured over time?  Your Turn
Watch the video, come get the session one study questions, and share your thoughts on this study on our blog. We want to hear from you!
Journey through the Gospel of Mark in six video sessions...
Save 30% off Mark: In the Company of Christ Study Guide List Price: $13.99 Sale: $9.79 (30% off) + free U.S. shipping on orders $30 or more  If you want to follow the Messiah, you've got to get ready to move!
Mark's gospel has an urgency to it that's hard to ignore. It's as if he is breathless, trying to get the information out as quickly as he can, as a response to the great persecution of Christians by Nero that was taking place when Mark wrote this book. A few decades had passed since Jesus' ministry, and with persecution intensifying, some believers were tempted to compromise, apologize, or simply give up on being a follower of the Messiah.
So, Mark needed to take the early Christians back to the basics. In his rapid-fire account, he pulls no punches in answering these important questions: Who is this Jesus? What does he expect of me? Is suffering a normal part of the Christian life? What will encourage and strengthen my trust in Jesus? These questions are not born of a lack of faith, but serve to strengthen and stabilize our relationship with the Savior.
In this action-packed study, pastor and author Jeff Manion focuses on several important themes:
So, lace up your running shoes. Open your heart and mind. And come with your questions! Get ready to move as Mark's Gospel reveals what it means to follow Jesus.
Sessions include:
Designed for use with the 40 Days Through the Book: Mark Video Study (9780310129936), sold separately. Streaming video access included. Save 30% off the study guide with DVD 
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