Sufficient Courage: Life Lessons from John Mark and His Gospel

By Marla Hutchinson LMSW

How much of our lives are ruled by fear, by our need to please people, fear of our own inadequacy, fear of taking risks, and fear of being shamed or rejected? This study of the Gospel of Mark will first examine John Mark's life, including his failure to complete his missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. The resulting conflict between Paul and Barnabas led them to part company. Paul later affirmed John Mark when he said, e is helpful to me in my ministry. As we study, we will use the lens of this failure, and later reconciliation and affirmation, to examine the lessons found in the Gospel of Mark.

Today we also need courage to overcome our fears and move forward in freedom to fruitful ministry. This Bible study with group discussion guide seeks to make Phil.1:20 a reality in our lives: “I eagerly expect and hope that I will . . . have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973685203

Marla Hutchinson LMSW

Marla Hutchinson, LMSW, is a licensed, clinical therapist. In her local church spanning thirty years, she has been developing unique scriptural studies that address the practical, emotional, and relational aspects of life. In her private counseling practice and in her writing, her goal is to integrate biblical principles and mental health practices to provide support and community for women.

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Copyright © 2020 Marla Hutchinson, LMSW.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8519-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8520-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020902352

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/21/2020

Contents

Preface

Useful Tools for This Study

Notes For Leaders

Introduction

Ways To Meditate

Lesson 1 John Mark’s Failure

Lesson 2 The Outcome of John Mark’s Life

Lesson 3 The Disciples and their Relationships

Addressing the Fear of Inadequacy / The

Stronghold of Comparing Ourselves to Others

Lesson 4 Jesus’ Ministry of Compassion

Addressing the Fear of Suffering and Death / The Stronghold of Bitterness

Lesson 5 Jesus and the Crowds

Addressing the Fear of Failing to Meet the Expectations

of Others / The Stronghold of Burnout

Lesson 6 The Teachings of Jesus

Addressing Our Fear of Risk / The Stronghold

of Comfort (and a Fruitless Life)

Lesson 7 Jesus and His Critics

Addressing our Fear of Conflict / The Stronghold

of Appeasement and People-Pleasing

Lesson 8 Jesus: the Suffering Savior

Addressing our Fear of Abandonment /

The Stronghold of Unhealthy Relationships

Lesson 9 Jesus and Peter’s Denial and Restoration

Addressing the Fear of Shame / the Stronghold of Pride or Self-loathing

Lesson 10 Conclusions and Review

Leaders’ Guide

Comments about Sufficient Courage

This study:

• got me to thinking about what takes up my time and the space in my head. We learned to be honest with ourselves about unhealthy behaviors. I will look at things differently now. (Karen)

• highlighted the importance of addressing fears before they become strongholds in our lives. Even putting a label/acknowledgment on my strongholds of fear weakens their grip on me. The discussion brings transparency, new insights, accountability, and support. I liked that each lesson had a passage to meditate on throughout the week that steered me back to the main focus. (Jenna)

• is for anyone who is really interested in pushing themselves. (Kara)

• was my first Bible study. Not only did I learn a lot but I also felt totally accepted by all the women. I am so thankful that I took a huge risk to attend this class. (Linda)

• brought to light John Mark’s maturing process. The characters came to life. The discussions were insightful, challenging, and much wisdom was shared … with God’s Word becoming sweeter in our lives. (Shellie)

• offered hope for change. (Margaret)

Preface

How much of our lives are ruled by fear, by our need to please people, fear of our own inadequacy, fear of taking risks, and fear of being shamed or rejected? This study of the Gospel of Mark will first examine John Mark’s life, including his failure to complete his missionary journey with Paul and Barnabas. The resulting conflict between Paul and Barnabas led them to part company. As we study, we will use the lens of this failure to examine the lessons found in the Gospel of Mark. John Mark later associated with Peter, and it may be understood that the Gospel of Mark, to some degree, was influenced through the stories of Peter’s discipleship by Jesus, and the preaching and teaching ministry that Peter continued after Jesus’ ascension. We may assume that that relationship played a role in leading and shaping him for his life of fruitful ministry. Paul later affirmed John Mark when he said, He is helpful to me in my ministry.

Today we also need courage to overcome our fears and demolish strongholds, those areas that have long held us captive, and move forward in freedom to fruitful ministry. We will use a specific verse each week for daily meditation to refocus and reshape our thinking and our heart. Join me as we seek to make Phil.1:20 a reality in our lives: I eagerly expect and hope that I will . . . have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body.

Useful Tools for This Study

Useful tools for this study are 1) an NIV Study Bible with notes to give background information and clarification of the meaning of the text and 2) a