In Epiphany 2021, the Good Book Club returned to read the earliest and shortest of the four gospels, starting Friday, January 1, 2021, through Shrove Tuesday, February 16.
The Gospel of Mark opens with words from the prophet Isaiah: “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,” and indeed the gospel itself serves as a messenger for the life and ministry of Jesus. Written around 65-75 CE, Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus is the messiah and Son of God.
The full reading list for the Gospel of Mark is available here.
El cronograma de lecturas, que va del 1 de enero al 16 de febrero.
Books/Reflections
A Journey with Mark: This book explores the Gospel of Mark with fifty days of scripture, meditations, and prayers written by dynamic spiritual leaders from across the United States and around the world. Available from Forward Movement and as an eBook on digital platforms. (Note: Shipping times may be longer than usual so don’t delay!)
This Week in Mark: Weekly emails by Forward Movement will preview the upcoming readings to provide context and background. The emails also will feature the ministries of partner organizations. Sign up and find archived emails here!
Mark 101: A two-page introduction developed by Forward Movement to the Gospel of Mark, exploring authorship and major themes.
Through the period of Epiphany 2021, ECF Vital Practices bloggers will choose a reading from Mark that resonates with them and their ministry, and write a related blog post. These blogs will be published on ECFVP with a link to the Good Book Club, inviting readers to share in the experience.
Each week, The Living Church will post on its blog, Covenant, an article that explores the text from Mark.
Online Bible Studies
Introducing Mark with Vicki Garvey: For six weeks this Epiphany, meet with other students from around the world for a live, online class on the Gospel of Mark with Vicki Garvey, a respected teacher and author and canon for lifelong education at the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. In this free class, Vicki will teach about the author, origin, setting, and message of the Gospel of Mark. Classes will meet live on Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST from Jan. 7-Feb. 11. Register here.
Join the United Thank Offering (UTO) as we work our way through the Gospel of Mark during Epiphany. Each week we will gather and talk about the history and context of the portion of the Gospel of Mark that we read the week prior, everyone will be invited to share what stood out to them and then we’ll end by examining the text to learn what it says regarding gratitude through the relationships of the people presented in the Gospel of Mark. This gathering is meant for those who might be new to the Gospel of Mark and are looking for a welcoming and fun introduction to the oldest gospel. Each week a different member of the Reconciliation, Justice and Creation Care Team will join us to dive into the text and share about their work. Come with your questions, insights or thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. Register now for the Zoom Bible Study. This registration link will allow you access to all seven sessions of the Bible Study, come to as many as you are able to join and we will resend the login each week as a reminder.
Introducing the Gospel of Mark: The Montreal Diocesan Theological College in the Anglican Church of Canada is hosting a 90-minute webinar about the Gospel of Mark on January 12 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (EST). The Gospel of Mark presents the good news of Jesus Christ to a tumultuous world. It tells the story of an unexpected messiah who preaches a new kingdom and calls a new community into beginning to live in that kingdom. This 90-minute online webinar provides a foundation for students to read the Gospel of Mark for themselves by offering an overview of the gospel’s content, structure, and key themes. Join us to learn about the gospel and then read it throughout the season of Epiphany to come to a deeper appreciation of the text and hear it speak to your lives in new ways. Taught by the Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink, principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College. Register here.
Episcopal Migration Ministries will offer a seven-session Bible study. Each lesson will include a prayer and a group Bible study with discussion/reflection questions.
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast: Bishop Russell Kendrick will post weekly videos online, offering theological insight on the readings from the Gospel of Mark.
Join the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining on The Hive as she explores some of the rich meanings of the women found in the words of Mark 5:21-43. This class will deal with the somewhat “taboo” nature of women’s bodies in the church and what it means as followers of Jesus. The class will be held on Facebook Live on January 3 at 2 p.m. EST and will be available for replay. The Hive is an online wellness and spirituality community centered around particles that strengthen faith and hone the modern mystic sight.
Digital
The Good Book Club Podcast: Each day, listen to the scripture passage and a reflection on the Gospel of Mark. Available anywhere you listen to podcasts.
The Episcopal Asset Map, a grassroots populated site that shares how we as The Episcopal Church are living out Christ’s call to us, will present messages from folks at churches named for Saint Mark around the world. Visit our Facebook page throughout Epiphany for a short reflection on the daily reading and some stories about how God is at work across the Church!
A Good Word: During the season of Epiphany 2021 Forma is excited to join the work of the Good Book Club, offering one verse each day, via social media, that is meant to encourage reading, sharing, and growing through the Gospel of Mark. These scriptures will correspond with the daily selections and will be posted on Forma’s Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, as well as their webpage.
Visio Divina with Mark: The ministry of Invite Welcome Connect is delighted to partner with the Good Book Club by offering beloved and enduring images from Christian art, culture, and religious works from around the world. Related themes and selected verses from each daily reading of the Gospel of Mark will be shared via the Invite Welcome Connect website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
Watch an overview of the Gospel of Mark, created by the BibleProject.
Scripture and This Moment: Using the Gospel of Mark to Engage During Difficult Times
Join our panelists, all past participants in and facilitators for the Good Book Club, as they share ways to enhance your participation. Hear from these leaders in the church about different techniques for approaching scripture and various online tools to enhance your study.
Children and Families
Building Faith, a ministry of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary, has some wonderful ideas for getting people of all ages in your context involved.
Grow Christians: Grow Christians will share stories from parents who are reading and reflecting on the Gospel of Mark at home with children and teens.
En español
El Club Bíblico es un grupo de Facebook que congrega a personas hispanohablantes interesadas en el mensaje de la Biblia. Durante Epifanía varios miembros del grupo van a publicar mensajes y videos para explorar el Evangelio de Marcos. Enlace: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClubBiblico/
Marcos 101: Una introducción al Evangelio de Mateo de dos páginas preparada por Forward Movement; se explora quién es el autor y algunos de los temas principales.
Additional Resources
Download the Good Book Club: Mark Toolkit.