Mark was a _______from ______, who wrote his gospel in
______. He probably wrote it in ______, shortly after the fire of
Rome, when _____ started _________ the Christians. He might
have known some of the ________ and travelled as a
____________ and interpreter with Peter and Paul.
Disciples Greek
persecuting
Nero
Rome Jerusalem
Jew 70 AD missionary
Mark’s reasons for writing the Gospel
• To understand reasons why a
written gospel was needed
• To evaluate on the importance of
writing a gospel
St Mark is represented in art
as a lion.
• The lion symbolizes the power
of the Evangelist's word.
• the wings symbolize the
spiritual lifting up of the
heart and mind,
• the halo is the traditional
Christian symbol of
holiness.
• The book he is holding,
represents wisdom
and
the peace that comes from
wisdom.
Mark’s Gospel was written…
• From faith, for faith…
• For the Romans …(they misinformed about...)
• For the Christians..
1. Here are 6 reasons why Mark wrote his gospel.
Match them up to the acronym.
2. Re-write the headings, and make notes from the
textbook for each point.
**Which reasons do you think were the most important
for Mark in writing his gospel ?
•
•
•
•
•
•
S
P
R
E
A
D
Preserve the
truth about
Jesus p.21
Encourage
persecuted
Christians p.21
(Second Coming
delayed. P.20)
Mark wrote his
gospel to…
Apostles &
eyewitnesses
Spread &
Explain the
good news –
explain by
yourself
were dying off
p.21
Reassure
Romans –
explain by
yourself
Discipleship
how to be one
p.19
Spread & Explain the good news of Jesus being the
Son of God From faith, for faith. Explain the strange
fact of a crucified Messiah.
•S
Preserve
•P
Reassure Romans from their suspicions about
• R Christians as enemies of the state & immoral
Encourage persecuted Christians, to follow
• E Jesus, & that they will have their reward
Apostles & eyewitnesses
•A
to show Christians how to be
• D Discipleship
disciples & not give up, even if they deny Jesus
the truth about Jesus, in case false things
start to be said about him (eg he was not really a
human being, or only seemed to die)
were dying off – their
teachings and stories needed to be written down, so
they wouldn’t be lost. The Second Coming is not nigh!
Mark wrote his
gospel to…
1. Which reasons do
you think were the
most important for
Mark in writing his
gospel ? Explain
why.
2. Which reasons have
become the most
important for us
today? Explain why.
*What reasons might
you read the gospel
for?
Test your partner
•
•
•
•
•
•
S
P
R
E
A
D
The most important reason for Mark to write the gospel, was to
encourage the persecuted Christians. Discuss. (AO2 6mks)
• YES – explain several
reasons why
They were dying for their faith: they
needed to if Jesus really was the Son of
God
They needed encouragement that they
would be rewarded
They needed encouragement that Jesus’
own 12 disciples found it hard to be loyal
to him all the time
1.
2.
3.
In pairs, write down arguments for and
against this statement, using PEE reasons
In groups of 4, put together a model
answer for this question
Pass your paper clockwise, and give marks
out of 6 with comments on another groups
work
• NO – explain importance of
other reasons for writing
Preserving the true teachings about Jesus was very
important or true Christianity would be lost. The Second
Coming –end of the world - is NOT nigh!
Apostles & eyewitnesses are dying off –
the stories needed to get written down
or they might get forgotten or changed
Romans needed to understand Christians are
not dangerous & they should be allowed to
practice their religion.
So start recording things for
future Christians
“Early Christians did not need a
written gospel”. Discuss.
AO2 , 6mks
“The most important reason for Mark
to write the gospel, was to encourage
the persecuted Christians". Discuss.
(AO2 6mks)
St Mark is represented in art as a lion.
• The lion symbolizes the power of the
Evangelist's word.
• the wings symbolize the spiritual
lifting up of the heart and mind,
• the halo is the traditional Christian symbol
of holiness.
• The book he is holding, represents
wisdom and the peace that comes
from wisdom.
Symbol of St
Mark’s Gospel