NIV LIVE: 30 Day Audio Bible ChallengeSample

Chapter 1

Mark began his gospel with good news (“gospel” means “good news”) and stated these facts related to the good news: Jesus (meaning “God saves” or “Yahweh saves”), Christ (the Greek word for the Hebrew title “Messiah”), the Son of God (exclusively “the” Son of God; now “a” son of God) has come. Everything Mark will write will involve good news about these facts and the reason Jesus Christ came to Earth. What happens fulfills prophecy and Mark begins with John the Baptist and “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). John baptized Jesus. In the wilderness, Jesus faced temptation by Satan. Jesus proclaimed the good news and called His first disciples from among fishermen. He taught in the synagogue and cast out an unclean spirit. His fame spread and He healed many people.

Chapter 2

Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic and healed him. The scribes then accused Jesus of blasphemy and He read their thoughts. He called Levi. Tax collectors and sinners followed Him, and the Pharisees criticized Him. They criticized Jesus and His disciples for not following their traditions, and Jesus said He was Lord even of the Sabbath.

Chapter 3

He taught in a synagogue and healed a many on the Sabbath, so the Pharisees began to plot to kill Him. A great crowd followed Him, so He preached from a boat rather than be crushed by the crowd. He appointed His twelve disciples, whose names are listed. His family thought He was out of His mind. The scribes accused Him of being possessed by Beelzebul. He spoke to them in parables. He taught about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He defined the type of persons He would consider His mother and brothers.