Gospel of Mark study guides

[evangelist6589]

Church is gonna study Mark next and is in between Mac, Wiersbe, and one by NAV press. Does anyone know of the one by Nav Press? What is your favorite? We value SS with questions, HW, fill in the blank, and yes ultimately a final exam at the end of the SS quarter. All this enforces learning. Thanks..

 

[JonC]

I would suggest dispensing with the "study guides" and simply study the book. There are commentaries available and I'm sure it would allow for discussion within the group. This has worked well in my Sunday School class...we just go verse by verse and expect to take several months on a book such as Mark.

 

[evangelist6589]

I would suggest dispensing with the "study guides" and simply study the book. There are commentaries available and I'm sure it would allow for discussion within the group. This has worked well in my Sunday School class...we just go verse by verse and expect to take several months on a book such as Mark.

This is not how our church operates. Study guides are a great teaching tool and certainly far better than just lecturing at people and expecting them to take notes and remember the material (which they won't) do their own research (which they won't) and be more interested in you than with their smart phones and Facebook (which they are not). Study guides and tests help re-enforce learning. If the study guide is questionable there are commentaries available and a dozen of them.

Think of this way. If you had the finances I am sure you would write a study guide of your class.

 

[JonC]

Think of this way. If you had the finances I am sure you would write a study guide of your class.

No, I would not. I would, however, provide a Bible for those without.

I wish I could help you on your search for a study guide. But I can't...I don't believe in "study guides." I wish you the best in your search.

 

[evangelist6589]

No, I would not. I would, however, provide a Bible for those without.

I wish I could help you on your search for a study guide. But I can't...I don't believe in "study guides." I wish you the best in your search.

They will decide what to use.

 

[Don]

Church is gonna study Mark next and is in between Mac, Wiersbe, and one by NAV press. Does anyone know of the one by Nav Press? What is your favorite? We value SS with questions, HW, fill in the blank, and yes ultimately a final exam at the end of the SS quarter. All this enforces learning. Thanks..

What happens if the SS members decide they don't want to take the final exam?

What happens if they take the exam and pass?

What happens if they fail the exam?

 

[evangelist6589]

What happens if the SS members decide they don't want to take the final exam?

What happens if they take the exam and pass?

What happens if they fail the exam?

We had one two weeks ago and it was like 30 fill in the blank. I got the top grade in the class as I know bible prophecy well. However if we had one on textual criticism I would have failed as I struggled in NTI in seminary.

But the gospels I know well. Each has their strengths and weaknesses and I know I am weak on textual criticism. As far as test scores many failed the exam. He may do MC next time.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

I would suggest dispensing with the "study guides" and simply study the book. There are commentaries available and I'm sure it would allow for discussion within the group. This has worked well in my Sunday School class...we just go verse by verse and expect to take several months on a book such as Mark.

Amen! :thumbsup:

The best adult Bible study/Sunday school class is one led by someone who does his own research, considers many interpretations, and prayerfully is led to the right conclusions. Study guides don't afford anyone that opportunity, and tend to be narrowly focused to the extent that only one avenue of the passage's meaning is explored.

 

[annsni]

I just read an excellent book by Jen Wilkin called Women of the Word and highly recommend it. I've never been happy with the packaged Bible studies and after reading her book, I realize why: because I never really learned how to learn. I was spoon fed but that's about it. Here's an article with some of her thoughts:

http://thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-bible-study-doesnt-transform-us/

What I'd do is to teach the class of Mark along with teaching the class just how to really study their Bible. Very good stuff!

 

[Don]

We had one two weeks ago and it was like 30 fill in the blank. I got the top grade in the class as I know bible prophecy well. However if we had one on textual criticism I would have failed as I struggled in NTI in seminary.

But the gospels I know well. Each has their strengths and weaknesses and I know I am weak on textual criticism. As far as test scores many failed the exam. He may do MC next time.

Didn't answer the questions. Instead, you used it as an opportunity to brag about your biblical intellectualism.

 

[JonC]

I just read an excellent book by Jen Wilkin called Women of the Word and highly recommend it. I've never been happy with the packaged Bible studies and after reading her book, I realize why: because I never really learned how to learn. I was spoon fed but that's about it. Here's an article with some of her thoughts:

What I'd do is to teach the class of Mark along with teaching the class just how to really study their Bible. Very good stuff!

:thumbsup::thumbsup: I think "learning how to learn" and study is becoming a lost art. I don't know if it is the amount of information (some good...some bad) that is at our fingertips and that we are becoming accustomed to quick answers, but you are right. I think that many (if not most) Sunday school programs are geared to spoon feed its students. One book that helped me was "Grasping God's Word" (by Duvall and Hays). At one time I searched for study guides to improve my spiritual walk and knowledge of God. After, as you say, "learning to learn," I was amazed at the shallowness I was being "fed.". Perhaps I just became hungry enough.

Didn't answer the questions. Instead, you used it as an opportunity to brag about your biblical intellectualism.

That's par for the course, Don. I think most just let it go with Evan.

 

[evangelist6589]

Didn't answer the questions. Instead, you used it as an opportunity to brag about your biblical intellectualism.

Go chase a rabbit.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51304622@N05/14702457255/

 

[Don]

Go chase a rabbit.

How about answering the questions I asked? Because I honestly would like to know.

 

[evangelist6589]

How about answering the questions I asked? Because I honestly would like to know.

I see. Nothing would happen.

 

[Deacon]

I think "learning how to learn" and study is becoming a lost art. ...

One book that helped me was "Grasping God's Word" (by Duvall and Hays).

"Grasping God's Word" is excellent! A great book to learn how to study the bible.

As for study guides, I develop my own lesson plans for each class but I've used resources by Ralph Wilson in the past. Check out "JesusWalk" Study Guides.

As I look, he doesn't have anything for the gospel of Mark but you may want to flag the website for future reference. Much of his material is offered free on the website but can be purchased for a small price in printed form and even downloaded in bulk for Sunday School teaching.

Re: "shallowness: or 'depth of teaching', the term can be misleading.
I tend to gravitate toward intellectual study methods but have studied under class teachers that are not so inclined and still learned a quite lot.
A teacher that teaches with emotion sometimes promotes relationship and change in a way that intellectualism just misses out on.
A study guide in the right hands can offer structure to keep a group on focus.

To each their own, that's why God made so many different church bodies.

Rob

 

[Don]

I see. Nothing would happen.

So are you looking for suggestions for your Sunday School leader? Or for you to use as a Sunday School leader?

 

[evangelist6589]

"Grasping God's Word" is excellent! A great book to learn how to study the bible.

As for study guides, I develop my own lesson plans for each class but I've used resources by Ralph Wilson in the past. Check out "JesusWalk" Study Guides.

As I look, he doesn't have anything for the gospel of Mark but you may want to flag the website for future reference. Much of his material is offered free on the website but can be purchased for a small price in printed form and even downloaded in bulk for Sunday School teaching.

Re: "shallowness: or 'depth of teaching', the term can be misleading.
I tend to gravitate toward intellectual study methods but have studied under class teachers that are not so inclined and still learned a quite lot.
A teacher that teaches with emotion sometimes promotes relationship and change in a way that intellectualism just misses out on.
A study guide in the right hands can offer structure to keep a group on focus.

To each their own, that's why God made so many different church bodies.

Rob

Never heard of that one. But the ones from MacArthur are excellent for the New testament. How can anyone go wrong with his study guides?

 

[evangelist6589]

So are you looking for suggestions for your Sunday School leader? Or for you to use as a Sunday School leader?

If you read the OP you would have noticed the following.

1. I was not asking for a debate on SS methods and study guides.
2. I was asking for recommendations on Mark study guides.

Does anyone know of the one by Nav Press? What is your favorite?

 

[evangelist6589]

This looks like a very big book. RC Sproul and Mac have written much smaller books on this subject. Why buy such a big book on this subject?

"Grasping God's Word" is excellent! A great book to learn how to study the bible.

As for study guides, I develop my own lesson plans for each class but I've used resources by Ralph Wilson in the past. Check out "JesusWalk" Study Guides.

As I look, he doesn't have anything for the gospel of Mark but you may want to flag the website for future reference. Much of his material is offered free on the website but can be purchased for a small price in printed form and even downloaded in bulk for Sunday School teaching.

Re: "shallowness: or 'depth of teaching', the term can be misleading.
I tend to gravitate toward intellectual study methods but have studied under class teachers that are not so inclined and still learned a quite lot.
A teacher that teaches with emotion sometimes promotes relationship and change in a way that intellectualism just misses out on.
A study guide in the right hands can offer structure to keep a group on focus.

To each their own, that's why God made so many different church bodies.

Rob

 

[Don]

If you read the OP you would have noticed the following.

1. I was not asking for a debate on SS methods and study guides.
2. I was asking for recommendations on Mark study guides.

Determining whether YOU are going to use the guide as a SS leader, or whether it's a recommendation to someone else as a SS leader, helps with determining what recommendations to make. Different study guides for different situations, to meet both the leader AND the members' ability to understand.

Don't let your anger at me for pointing out a character trait blind you to what's actually going on here. If you can't take the rebuke/reproof, then don't ask for help from the public. Or put me on ignore.