45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Mark Chapter Eight: “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

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ePrayer Circle offers daily posting of scripture and prayers along with a FREE “45 Days To Read the Gospel Challenge”.  In addition, a FREE 24/7 prayer request service is available for your convenience by phone, or email. You are encouraged to complete the course in your own time. 45 Days is a challenge.

                                                                        Alt tag: #45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge FREE

 

How to Get the Most Out of The Challenge

The Gospel consists of four books in the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—that share the teachings of Jesus Christ. You can start the FREE “45 Day Challenge” at any time by visiting the ePrayer Circle homepage and selecting the “45 Day Challenge” menu option. Feel free to share these lessons and print them for use in your Bible study groups. You can also translate the content into multiple languages using the Google Translate menu bar on the homepage.

These lessons are for personal and non-profit use.  These works have been registered under Creative Common License,  Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivs CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International  Free to use as designed but are not for commercial use or sale.    The “45  Days To Read The Gospel lessons” are available FREE 24/7 for your convenience. 

 

 

Transcript:  HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS CHALLENGE

Step One.  Start in the order of: the Gospel of John, Luke, Mark and Matthew for understanding.

The instructions are designed for accessibility and ensures the learner is not overwhelmed and confused. Post your questions in the comment section and the author will answer you. Please share your experiences and opinions.

Step Two.  Each lesson takes about 35 minutes to complete: 20 min to study the lesson and take the quiz. 15 minutes to read the Bible resource

It is recommended to read the entire post and then take the quiz before reading or listening to the bible resources. Each lesson is self-contained and includes all resources needed.

Step 3:  You should complete two lessons a day.  5 Days a week in order to complete the “45 Days to Read The Gospel Challenge in 45 days”.

There is no law that says you have to complete these lessons in 45 days. You are free to work at your own pace. Study the lesson and take the quiz in the morning, and later listen to or read the bible resources.

Step 4: Get organize with pen and paper.  Take notes.  Each lesson contains: Header Sections (Table of Contents): (1) chapter summary, (2) objectives, (3) outline, (4) reflection question,  (5) chapter highlights, (6) resources, (7) interactive quiz, and (8) a call to salvation.

Step 5: Enjoy.  The Gospel Changes Lives.  Get active and communicate with others. Share the lessons with friends. No stress. Work at your own pace.

Isaiah 9:6 KJV“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son, is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

 

 

Before Starting this Course: 

 

 

Read the Word in the parking lot while waiting on others.

Read the Word in the morning with coffee and at night for easy rest at bedtime.

Read the Word when you walk for exercise.

Send the Word to your social media platforms.

Text the Word to people to encourage them in the Lord:  children, friends, spouses, acquaintances, or neighbors.

 

Overview of The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Mark, written by Mark John (also known as “John” in the Book of Acts), is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament. Mark was a close companion of the disciple Peter, who referred to him as his spiritual son.

Although Mark did not walk with Jesus personally, he closely followed Peter and recorded much of what Peter witnessed during Jesus’ ministry.

This Gospel is often called the “Memoirs of Peter” because of Mark’s close relationship with him. It was written between A.D. 50-70, before the Book of Acts, and is thought to have been written in Italy.

Mark’s Gospel focuses heavily on the miracles that Jesus performed throughout His ministry in Galilee, showing Jesus’ power over sickness, demons, and nature. Unlike other Gospels, Mark emphasizes Jesus’ human nature, highlighting His emotions and physical limitations.

This portrayal of Jesus helps believers understand that He is familiar with the struggles and challenges of being human and can fully sympathize with our problems and situations.

Mark’s work was an important source for the Gospel of Luke, as Luke borrowed many notes from it. Overall, the Gospel of Mark presents a powerful narrative of Jesus’ ministry, filled with miracles and moments that reveal both His divinity and humanity.

Keywords: sabbath,  The Gospel of Mark, Bible verses, scriptures, ePrayerCircle, 45 Days to Learn the Gospel Challenge, free Bible lessons, eBible study, Mark 1:1, Mark 16:15, Jesus’ miracles, discipleship in Mark, repentance in Mark, John the Baptist, Jesus’ baptism, wilderness temptation, healing miracles of Jesus, Mark’s Gospel summary, Peter’s memoirs, Christ’s humanity, Galilee ministry, Mark 10:45, kingdom of God, Jesus’ resurrection, Mark 14:36, parables in Mark, Peter and Mark

 

45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Mark Chapter Eight

 

 

OVERVIEW OF  THE GOSPEL OF MARK CHAPTER EIGHT

In this course, we explore Mark Chapter 8, where Jesus performs miracles, teaches powerful lessons, and prepares His disciples for the challenges ahead. From feeding 4,000 people with just seven loaves and a few fish to healing a blind man, we witness the power of faith and Jesus’ compassion.

We also learn about the Pharisees’ disbelief, Jesus’ warning to be cautious of false teachings, and the importance of following Him wholeheartedly. This chapter reveals the cost of discipleship and the ultimate call to take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Mark Chapter 8 begins with the miracle of Jesus feeding 4,000 people using only seven loaves and a few small fish. Despite witnessing His miracles, the Pharisees demand a sign from heaven to trap Jesus, but He refuses, stating that no sign will be given to those without belief. Jesus is the sign from heaven, yet they fail to recognize Him.

Jesus then warns His disciples to be cautious of the “bread” or teachings of the Pharisees and Herod. Jesus warns his disciples of the bread of Pharisees and Herod.

The disciples forgot to bring enough bread and Jesus warns them of getting food from his enemies (Pharisee and Herod). He was amazed at how quickly they had forgotten how he took a few loaves of bread and a few pieces of meat and fed thousands-twice. 

Note: They were witnessing his miracles without belief looking for something to use against him.  No signs would be given to that generation because Jesus is the sign from heaven.  Today, there are many signs and wonders from heaven. Many people tell of their dreams and experiences about these signs and wonders openly on YouTube. 

Note: Matthew 6:31 KJV ³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Jesus heals a blind man and instructs him not to return to the village or speak of his healing, showing that faith and humility are key to receiving His grace. Later, Jesus asks His disciples who people think He is. Peter declares, “Thou art the Christ,” revealing their growing understanding of Jesus’ identity.

Jesus then foretells His suffering, death, and resurrection, which Peter struggles to accept. Jesus rebukes Peter, reminding him that God’s plan must be fulfilled.

He tells His followers that to truly follow Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and understand that gaining the world is worthless if it costs them their soul.

Jesus tells the disciples what they are about to face, demonstrating he is predestined.  Mark 8:31 KJV  “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of  the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” 

Peter has a hard time accepting it. He does not want Jesus to be killed. Jesus gets angry and rebukes him because he is putting his desires before God’s.  It is God’s plan that these things will take place and Peter is to accept it. 

He says, Gets behind me Satan.  Note:  “Get behind me Satan in the name of Jesus”  is a very popular saying of rebuking today.

Jesus warns those who want to follow him must take up their cross and follow him.  Mark 8: 34-37 KJV   ³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 ³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

 ³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? ³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

This chapter teaches us the importance of faith, recognizing Jesus’ true identity, and the sacrifice required to follow Him.

 

45 Days To Read The Gospel Challenge – The Gospel of Mark Chapter Eight: “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

 

 

Time: 35 minutes to complete lesson: 20 minutes to read the entire post and take the interactive quiz, additional 15 minutes to view video resource and comment on social media

 

Objectives for  Chapter Eight-What you will learn:

A, Discover how Jesus feeds the multitude again, showing that provision comes from God

B. Learn why Jesus declares that no sign from heaven will be given to His generation

C. Understand why Jesus warns His disciples not to seek bread (provision) from the Pharisees and Herod

E. Examine Jesus’ will for healing believers

F. Identify who the people say Jesus is and who His disciples believe He is

G. Learners will understand that Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection were part of God’s predetermined plan for salvation.

H. Learners will analyze the moment when Jesus rebukes Peter for focusing on human desires over God’s will.

 

Outline for Chapter Eight of the Gospel of  Mark

1    Jesus feeds 4,000 people: seven loaves and a few small fish.

2.  The Pharisees require a sign from heaven tempting Jesus

3.  Jesus warns his disciples of the bread of Pharisees and Herod,

4.  Jesus heals a blind man. He tells him not to go into town or tell anyone in town.

5.  The people think of Jesus and his disciples exposed.

6.  Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection.

7. Jesus rebukes Peter for desiring his wants and not God’s.

8. Those who will follow Jesus must take up their cross and follow him.

 

Reflection and Discussion: Something to think about.

Have you ever struggled to understand God’s plan for your life versus your own plans? When did you realize you were heading in the right direction or the wrong one?

 

Resources For This Lesson

Click here for the King James Bible version in the text (pdf), mobile viewing on the web (KJV), YouTube audio, and video version Chapter 8 (total time: 9 min.) Part One, Part Two

 

See “Chapter Eight Highlights” below for scriptures and help with the quiz. If needed, refresh the screen to retake the quiz.

 

1   You will learn,  Jesus feeds the multitude again, demonstrating food comes from heaven.  Mark 8:1-9 KJV

¹In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

 ²I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: 

³And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. 

⁴And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

 ⁵And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

 ⁶And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them, and they did set them before the

 ⁷And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. and they did set them before the people.

⁸So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. ⁹And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

 

2. You will learn why Jesus declares that no sign from heaven will be given to the generation he was speaking to.  Mark 8:9-13 KJV

 ⁹And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away. 

¹⁰And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

 ¹¹And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

¹²And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

 ¹³And he left them and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

 

3.  You will learn why Jesus warns the disciples to not seek bread (food) from Pharisees and Herod.   Mark 8:14-21 KJV

¹⁴Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. 

¹⁵And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. 

¹⁶And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. 

¹⁷And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 

¹⁸Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? 

¹⁹When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. 

²⁰And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. 

 ²¹And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

 

4.  You will learn if it is Jesus’ will that believers are healed.    Mark 8:22-26 KJV

²²And he cometh to Bethsaida, and they bring a blind man unto him and sought him to touch him.

²³And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

²⁴And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. 

²⁵After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. 

²⁶And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town nor tell it to any in the town.

 

5.  You will learn who the people say Jesus is and who his disciple thinks he is.  Mark 8:27-30 KJV

 ²⁷And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?

²⁸And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

²⁹And he saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ (means The Messiah or Lord).

³⁰And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. 

 

 

6.  You will learn that Jesus is predestined.  Mark 8: 31-32 KJV

³¹And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

³²And he spake that saying openly.

 

7. You will learn what Jesus said to rebuke Peter in regards to God’s plans.    Mark 8: 32-33 KJV

And Peter took him and began to rebuke him.

³³But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

 

 8.  You will learn the meaning of ” Mark 8:36  “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8: 34-38 KJV

 ³⁴And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

³⁵For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

 ³⁶For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

³⁷Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

 ³⁸Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

 

Interactive Quiz.

 

 

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Call to salvation:

John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10  9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation. 

John 3:5-6  5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.