In this session, we will spend the first part delving into some of the background information surrounding the Gospel according to St. Mark and the overall methodology that we will be using throughout this study of the book.

In this first chapter, we will meet Jesus, whose Gospel Mark the evangelist is about to proclaim.  We will also meet the Forerunner, John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Lord so that when He finally arrives and is Himself baptized, we are prepared for the revelation of His Divinity that is presented to us.  Then for the rest of the Chapter, we will see examples of the authority given to Christ as Messianic King to wage spiritual warfare with His adversaries, the daemons, all the while raising humanity up from their infirmity and offering us life in Him.

St. John The Baptist website:

https://www.saintjohnthebaptist.org/

GOA Parish Directory:

https://www.goarch.org/parishes

List of Sources Used For This Study:

Revised Standard Version of the Bible

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%201&version=RSV

The Religion of the Apostles

Fr. Stephan De Young

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-religion-of-the-apostles-orthodox-christianity-in-the-first-century?_pos=1&_psq=the+religion+of+the+ap&_ss=e&_v=1.0

At the End of Time: The Eschatological Expectations of the Church

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/at-the-end-of-time

The Gospel According to Saint Mark

Bishop Gerasimos of Abydos

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-according-to-saint-mark

Explanation of the Holy Gospel According to Mark (Soft Cover)

Theophylact of Ochrid

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/0635c1b0-0fb9-11e7-e820-5b79d48c82f2?_pos=6&_sid=5f044f26b&_ss=r

The Gospel of Mark: The Suffering Servant

Fr. Lawrence R. Farley

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/the-gospel-of-mark-the-suffering-servant?_pos=3&_psq=The+gospel+of+ma&_ss=e&_v=1.0

The New Testament Introduction, vol. 1. - Paul and Mark

Fr. Paul N Tarazi

https://holycrossbookstore.com/products/new-testament-introduction-the-vol-i-paul-and-mark?_pos=9&_sid=81aa9a5a0&_ss=r

Authority and Passion

Archbishop Demetrios Formerly of America

New Edition Coming Soon

Mark

C. Clifton Black

Mark 1-8

Mark 8-16

Joel Marcus

Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Mark

Thomas C. Oden & Christopher A. Hall

Welcome to the trailer for our community's first in-person bible study/podcast, Make His Path Straight: A St. John The Baptist Bible Study.  The goal of this bible study is to invite each of us to gain a deeper understanding of what it means for us to participate in the scripture and tradition of the Church, gain a deeper understanding of scriptural texts by contemplating them alongside those in our tradition who have devoted their lives to understanding their depth of meaning, and ultimately by asking the question of what do these texts have to say about the way we live our lives today?

So if delving into the scriptures further is of any interest to you, we invite you to join us in person Wednesdays around 6pm at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Boston, or if you can't make it to the in-person session, all recordings will be available the following Friday.

May Christ give you strength in your journey to get to know Him through the scriptures, and I hope this content is of some benefit to you.