Yale University

Youth Ministry Institute

The Gospel of Mark Bible Study for Youth – Lesson 4: Mark 8-10

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
  • If possible, the board game Catan
  • Lists of characteristics, clothing, money – various elements of the game
  • Laptop or media device with the YouTube video of the song Gone by Switchfoot

Gather

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

Engage

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

Exercise Option 1: Play the Board Game Catan (see more here)

  • If Catan is not possible, create stations where youth can “build” a character.
  • Begin by randomly handing out an assortment of characteristics, clothing items, and money. Then allow students to trade with each other for the money/clothing/characteristics they desire. You can set up a “currency”, so they know how much each item is worth, or let them navigate their trades on their own. Example: a college education is worth x amount of money, or a person can trade two characteristics for it. By the end, your youth have created their own “character”.
  • Debrief about the process, what did it take to get to where you ended up? What was worth trading/selling? What was worth obtaining?
  • Discuss the difference between monetary wealth, and the wealth of knowledge a character obtained.

Exercise Option 2:

Listen together to the song Gone by Switchfoot (This is a YouTube link to a teenager who made a great music video featuring the song – YouTube video)

 

Reflect

Reflect together on the following questions:

  1. What does it mean to be “wealthy”? What does our culture say wealth is?
  2. Create a list of things that it matters to be wealthy in (eg. Kindness, faith, humor, joy, patience, etc.) How can we work towards being wealthier in things that really matter?
  3.  How might focusing on some of these other things transform us?

 

Send Forth

  • Close the lesson in prayer (either the leader or a group member)
  • Or, consider utilizing a check-out exercise.
Download PDF