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Take the Avenues Bible Reading Challenge for 2012
Read the book of Mark
Mark is the shortest book of the four New Testament books that tell about the life of Jesus. Full of action, it starts at the beginning of Jesus' ministry and includes stories of the miracles of Jesus which amazed the crowds and Jesus' followers.
The most powerful miracle of all according to Mark is Jesus' suffering and death. The first person to understand this miracle was the Roman soldier who saw Jesus die on the cross and said, "This man really was the Son of God" (15:39)
Read the book of Mark to be encouraged to believe in the power of Jesus and to understand more about being a follower of Jesus.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201&version=CEV
Challenge 1: Read the book of Mark sometime this month in one large chunk. For this challenge, read the book from start to finish in as short a timeframe as possible. (If reading in one sitting is too much, try reading a couple of chapters a night and finish it in a week). Reflect on it as on overall reading experience... much as if it were a bestselling book on the current must read list in bookshops. What do you think of this story? What does it mean for you?
Challenge 2: Read the book of Mark through 2012 in small bite size pieces. For this challenge, read a few verses at a time. The first twelve readings are below. Try to read all of these through February 2012. Ask yourself before you begin each passage, "What does God want to say to me when I read this?" Read a few verses. Stop. Think. "What is this passage about?" "Does it have any relevance for my life?" "What is God trying to say to me?" Read it again. Pray. Tell God whatever comes into your heart and mind. Stop. Listen to God in the silence.
Challenge 3: Find someone else at Avenues who has been reading Mark in February. Get together to talk about a passage or email or facebook each other talking about the passage. Share your thoughts and ideas about what God is saying to you about this passage. Pray together.
To break down the book of Mark to smaller chunks, follow these links;
The preaching of John the Baptist Mark 1:1-8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:1-8&version=CEV
The baptism of Jesus Mark 1:9-11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:9-11&version=CEV
Jesus & Satan Mark 1:12-13 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:12-13&version=CEV
Jesus Begins His Work Mark 1:14-15 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:14-15&version=CEV
Jesus Chooses Four Fisherman Mark 1: 16-20 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:16-20&version=CEV
A Man with an Evil Spirit Mark 1:21 - 28 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:21-28&version=CEV
Jesus Heals Many People Mark 1:29-39 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:29-39&version=CEV
Jesus Heals a Man Mark 1:40-45 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201:40-45&version=CEV
Jesus Heals a Crippled Man Mark 2:1-12 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:1-12&version=CEV
Jesus Chooses Levi Mark 2:13 - 17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:13-17&version=CEV
People Ask About Going Without Eating Mark 2:18-22 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:18-22&version=CEV
A Question About the Sabbath Mark 2:23-28 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:23-28&version=CEV
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