I haven't been back for the whole first part of Mark study. However, I've been reading the materials.
Though unnecessary, I prefer to finish reading all provided materials before I attend the fellowship. Thus, when broken into small group discussions (not my cup of tea), I anticipate the discussion, however personal it could be, be grounded on the scriptural study of the day. This, is not achieved in certain groups sometimes, and everyone talking about ups and downs of their lives like I should have gone to a pub. I've noticed at least a guy would leave if this happens. I tried to endure, but I may eventually do likewise. This is also why I am discouraged from time to time to attend, other than the fact that I did not keep my promise of finishing the reading materials beforehand.
My notes are a combination of Dr. Keller's Mark Study book which we get in our email and my own research.
Mark
Current theory: Earliest of all 4 gospels, Marcan priority (supposedly source of Matthew + Luke). Other theory for the synoptic gospels (Matthew+Mark+Luke) is the Q source, which I don't believe to have firm grounding.
Author: John Mark, friend of Peter, thus the belief that Peter is the main source.
140AD, Papias wrote:
Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately all that he remembered of the things said and done by our Lord, but not, however, in order.
Hence, the phrase: "The Gospel according to Peter".
Note for details during presence of Peter in Mark.
Based on the diverse input, if I were to lead the small group, I think it's best to lead using Socratic Method founded upon Reformed doctrine, with love.
Take today for example, We are studying Mark 2:13-3:6:
One guy tried to impose the law of "don't judge others"
- I would ask: So, are you talking about judging by words or by thoughts? (I can act out what judging by thoughts mean).
Another guy spoke of how one could be a pharisee by judging someone who stood up in the middle of a service/sermon and "worship" God loudly.
- I would ask: Instead of being a "pharisee", can I pray in my heart: "God, please forgive him, for he knows not what he is doing"?
Mark 3:7-35
In the last part of the passage regarding who is Jesus' family?
The idea of family (quoted from Tim Keller):
Our membership in God’s family undermines the family-idolatry so widespread among traditional and conservative peoples. It tells us that a happy family is not the ultimate thing in life. On the other hand, our membership in God’s family undermines the family-disdain so widespread among individualistic secular people. Human families are made in the image of God — who himself is a family, a Trinity. So human family life is important and should be cultivated.
In Keller's last note, I would change it to:
Do you live as a child of the King, or [ONLY] as his slave?
Mark 4:1-34
Includes parable of the sower.
Keller rightly notes that the first 3 soils of the parable refer to non-Christians. Not that we don't struggle, but to consider those soils natural to even Christians, is erred. I did not attend WSM this time, but I wonder how they would deal with this.
One interesting note: The seed is the Word. We are the "seeds" that fell on the soils.
Keller wisely points out that hearing the parable is like Nathan's parable to David. Everyone hears it, but only certain ones really hear it (When Nathan points and says to the king "It's you").
v. 21-22, Keller refers the candle light to Christ. I think it's more than that.
v. 24-25 is important. It is not just mentioned in the parable of the talents (Mat 25:14-30).