The Gospel of Mark Bible Study for Youth – Lesson 3: Mark 4-7

Overview

A youth Bible study on the Gospel of Mark inspired by the Yale Bible Study series.

Practice Duration 30-60 minutes

Lesson developed byJill Olds and Victoria Crooks

Setting the Atmosphere

If in person, set the room with chairs or around a table for a small group conversation
Consider centering the space with a lit candle (unscented for those with sensitivities), or with a simple symbol, such as a cross
Consider having a ball or stuffed animal to throw around the circle, for the person speaking to hold when it is their turn
If virtually, schedule in your preferred video platform

Materials Checklist

Bibles or copies of the scripture
Paper
Pens
Select some relaxing music
Laptop or media device to show the YouTube clip, “It’s Not Your Fault” from Good Will Hunting

Scripture Focus

Mark 5:21-43

21When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”

24So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32He looked all around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

GoalJesus Healing and Performing Miraculous Acts

Further Study

Introduction for Leaders

Scripture

Quotations

Practice

Discussion Questions

Gather

Introduction for Leaders

Begin with a check in with members
Open with prayer
Read the scripture together

Engage

Introduction for Leaders

Select the option that best suits your group’s needs:

Exercise Option 1: Letter Writing

Pass out paper and pens to your youth.
Ask youth to consider who they might like to write a letter to. Options would include: their past self, their current self, their future self, someone who means a lot to them, someone who hurt them, someone they may have hurt, someone they look up to, someone they hope to change, or someone who has particularly present in their life. They may even write to God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. You may also create a list for the youth.
Give them a timeframe for the exercise. Play music in the background that is comforting and let them know that the letters can be serious, or they can be light-hearted – they can write whatever they need to say. They can write one letter or several letters.
If a student wants to share their letter, give them the space to. Have them keep their letters and do with as they wish, they can rip them up, keep them for themselves, or even share them with the person they wrote to.
Once they are done debrief on what the exercise was like for them.

Exercise Option 2:

Watch the “It’s Not Your Fault” scene from Good Will Hunting (YouTube video)

*Please note, this scene deals with physical abuse and contains curse words.

Reflect

Introduction for Leaders

Reflect together on the following questions:

How would you feel if you were a person in the crowd seeing Jesus perform these healings? How would you feel if you were Jairus?
Or, how would you feel if you were the person being healed, like Matt Damon’s character in Good Will Hunting? How “seen” are sick/abused people in our society?
How often do you feel “seen”? And who makes you feel that way?
Do we ever see healings today? What do we make of the truth that some people get better from illnesses, when other people don’t? Where is God in the midst of that? What might “healing” look like, if it’s not physical?