Memorising the Gospel of Mark
- Mack Deptula
- Jul 15
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 16
This year, I am begining an exciting journey to memorise the entire Gospel of Mark by December 31st. This personal challenge began over a coffee with a friend, and now we're inviting all who read this to join us as well!
Mark's Gospel is a fantastic choice for this challange. It's the shortest and most action-packed of the Gospels, often described as a "fast-paced" narrative that highlights Jesus' authority, power, and the urgency of the Kingdom of God.
This plan is designed to be practical and adaptable, keeping in mind different learning styles and the need for consistent, manageable steps.
Phase 1: Preparation and Overview (July 15 - July 31)
This initial phase is about building a strong foundation and grasping the big picture of Mark's narrative. This will leverage your "Wonder" and "Ideation" strengths.
Goal: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Gospel of Mark's themes and structure.
Actionable Steps:
Read Mark Multiple Times (Different Translations):
Read through the entire Gospel of Mark in your preferred translation (e.g., NIV, ESV) at least 3-5 times. Mark is concise, so these readings will be quicker than other Gospels.
For fresh insights and to appreciate Mark's punchy style, read it once or twice in a more direct or conversational translation (e.g., NLT, CEV).
Various Translations of the Gospel of Mark
Understand the Big Picture & Key Themes:
Watch The Bible Project's overview videos on Mark. These are excellent visual resources that provide concise, structured explanations of Mark's key themes: Jesus as the authoritative Son of God and suffering servant, the immediate action ("immediately" is a hallmark of Mark!), and the disciples' struggles to truly understand.
Focus on Mark's unique emphasis on Jesus' authority (over demons, disease, nature, sin) and the concept of the "Messianic Secret" (Jesus often tells people not to reveal his identity or miracles).
Understand Mark's narrative flow: It moves swiftly from Jesus' ministry in Galilee to his journey to Jerusalem, culminating in his Passion and Resurrection.
The Gospel of Mark
Overview from the BibleProject
The Gospel of Mark
Overview from the BibleProject
The Gospel of Mark
Summary of the book from GotQuestion.org
The Gospel of Mark
8-session Yale Bible Study on the Gospel of Mark with the Rev. Drs. Allen Hilton and David Bartlett
FULL MOVIE: The Gospel of Mark
Outline and Chunking:
Obtain or create a simple, chapter-by-chapter outline of Mark. Focus on the major sections and the progression of events:
Mark 1:1-13: Preparation for Ministry
Mark 1:14-8:26: Jesus' Ministry in Galilee (Actions & Miracles)
Mark 8:27-10:52: Journey to Jerusalem (The Way of the Cross & Discipleship)
Mark 11:1-15:47: Ministry in Jerusalem and Passion
Mark 16:1-8 (or 16:1-20): Resurrection and Commission
Enhance Your Experience with Interactive Games
For an added layer of enjoyment, feel free to challenge yourself with one of the engaging games I've designed!
"Verse by Verse" gives you the first word of the verse and then the first letters of each word in the verse. Your task is to recall all of the verse.
"Guess which chapter" gives you the headers of the events in the Gospel and asks you to assign the correct chapter.
"Match to the Chapter" asks you to drag and drop events from the list of events into the list of chapters.
Phase 2: Chapter by Chapter Memorisation (August - November)
This is the core of our memorisation journey. Consistency and varied engagement with the text are crucial here.
Goal: Memorise approximately 4 chapters per month, consistently reviewing previous chapters.
Strategy:
Weekly Focus: Dedicate each week to mastering a new chapter.
Daily Repetition & Engagement: Employ a mix of memorisation techniques throughout each day.
Structured Review: Integrate review of previously memorised chapters into your daily routine.
Actionable Steps for Each Chapter (e.g., Mark 1 in Week 1 of August):
Read and Understand (Day 1-2):
Read the target chapter (e.g., Mark 1) aloud 10-15 times. Mark's vivid descriptions and action-oriented narrative are excellent for your "observing" learning style.
Read it in conjunction with its immediate context (the chapter before and after, if applicable, once you move past the initial chapters).
Break Down and Chunk (Day 1-3):
Divide the chapter into smaller, logical sections or paragraphs (e.g., Mark 1:1-8; 1:9-13; 1:14-20, etc.). Focus on the progression of events and Jesus' actions.
For each chunk, identify the main action or event.
Action: Write down the first letter of each word for a paragraph or a few verses. This is a proven technique for memorising large passages. Alternatively, write out the full verses on physical flashcards.
Active Recall and Repetition (Daily):
Morning: Recite the current week's chapter from memory. If you get stuck, peek at your notes, then try again.
Mid-day (short bursts): Use your flashcards or first-letter notes to review small chunks whenever you have a few spare minutes (e.g., during a break, waiting for an appointment).
Evening: Recite the current chapter again.
Integrate Previous Chapters: As you master new chapters, incorporate them into your daily review. For example, by week 3, you would review Mark 1 and Mark 2, while focusing on memorising Mark 3. Consider an alternating review schedule for older chapters (e.g., Mark 1 on Monday, Mark 2 on Tuesday, all chapters on Friday).
For your Apostolic and Prophet aspects: As you memorise, consider how Jesus' authority and actions in Mark apply directly to Christian mission, church growth, and the multiplication of believers today. Mark is a very practical Gospel for demonstrating Jesus' power in ministry.
Auditory Reinforcement:
Record yourself reading the chapter aloud. Listen to your own recording repeatedly throughout the day – during your commute, while exercising, or doing chores. Your own voice helps cement the words.
Listen to a professionally recorded audio version of Mark. This helps with rhythm, intonation, and overall flow.
Visual and Kinesthetic Aids:
Memory Palace: Consider the "Memory Palace" technique. Associate different sections of Mark with rooms or distinct areas in your church building, home, or a familiar route in your city. Mark's quick progression from one event to the next lends itself well to a mental journey.
Writing it Out: The physical act of writing can significantly aid retention. Write out the chapter by hand once or twice, paying close attention to each word. The process of forming the words helps embed them.
Mind Maps/Diagrams: Create simple mind maps or flowcharts for each chapter, focusing on the sequence of events, key characters, and miracles. Mark's narrative structure is great for visual timelines.
Accountability and Application (Weekly/Monthly):
Find a trusted friend or fellow pastor (perhaps someone you mentor or are discipling) to recite sections of Mark to each week. This "recite to a friend" method is highly effective for accountability and reinforcement.
Look for natural opportunities to weave memorised verses and stories into your conversations, preaching, or teaching. Mark's action-packed narratives are excellent for illustrations and practical application in ministry.
Proposed Schedule Breakdown (Adjustable!)
This schedule aims for roughly one chapter every 5-6 days, which is very manageable for Mark's shorter chapters. Adjust as needed based on your progress and the length of individual chapters.
July (Last 2 weeks): Chapters 1 & 2 (Initial overview & start of Jesus' ministry)
August: Chapters 3, 4, 5 (3 chapters - a slightly lighter month to ease in)
September: Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9 (4 chapters)
October: Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13 (4 chapters)
November: Chapters 14, 15, 16 (3 chapters - focus on Passion & Resurrection)
December: Full Gospel Review & Consolidation (revisiting any weaker areas, preparing for application)
Phase 3: Consolidation and Long-Term Retention (December)
The ultimate goal is not just to memorise by year-end, but to retain the Gospel of Mark for ongoing spiritual nourishment and effective ministry.
Goal: Regularly review the entire Gospel of Mark and solidify retention.
Actionable Steps:
Full Gospel Review (Weekly):
From December onwards, aim to recite several chapters of Mark each day, eventually working up to the whole book in a few sittings over the week.
Identify any chapters or sections that are harder to recall and give them extra attention.
Preaching and Teaching:
Plan a sermon series on the Gospel of Mark for early next year. This will naturally force you to engage with the text deeply and will reinforce your memorisation. Mark's emphasis on discipleship and Jesus' call to follow are perfect for teaching within your church context.
Lead a small group study or discipleship group through Mark, challenging yourself to teach from memory where appropriate.
Daily Walk:
Continue to pray through sections of Mark, turning the verses into personal prayers. This transforms memorisation into a profound spiritual discipline.
Meditate on the meaning of Jesus' actions and words, and how they apply to your personal walk and missional church focus.
Understanding Mark's Unique Contribution
While Mark shares a significant amount of material with Matthew and Luke (the "Synoptic Gospels"), it has its own distinct flavour and theological emphasis.
High Overlap with Synoptics: Approximately 90% of Mark's content has a parallel in Matthew, and about 65% of Mark's content has a parallel in Luke. This high degree of shared material is why they are called "Synoptic." Scholars widely believe that Mark was written first, and Matthew and Luke used it as a primary source.
Key Unique Aspects and Emphases in Mark:
"Markan Sandwich" (Intercalation): Mark frequently embeds one story within another, creating a "sandwich" effect. This literary technique connects the two narratives thematically, offering deeper insights into both.
Emphasis on "Immediately" (εὐθύς): Mark's narrative is known for its urgent, fast-paced style, often using the Greek word euthys ("immediately," "at once") over 40 times. This creates a sense of rapid action and Jesus' relentless ministry.
The Messianic Secret: A prominent theme in Mark is Jesus frequently commanding people (demons, those he heals, his disciples) not to reveal his identity or miracles. This highlights that Jesus' true Messiahship, as the suffering servant, could only be fully understood after his death and resurrection.
Raw, Human Portrayal of Jesus: Mark often presents Jesus with vivid human emotions (e.g., anger, sighing deeply, indignation). These emotional details are sometimes softened or omitted in Matthew and Luke, giving Mark a very relatable and "down-to-earth" feel.
Frankness about the Disciples' Failures: The disciples in Mark are often shown misunderstanding Jesus, being afraid, or failing to grasp his teachings (e.g., their "hardened hearts," Peter's rebuke of Jesus, their flight at his arrest). This realism underscores the challenges of true discipleship.
"Two-Stage" Healing: Mark uniquely records one miracle where Jesus heals a blind man in two stages (Mark 8:22-26), which the other Gospels do not include. This can be seen as a metaphor for the disciples' gradual spiritual understanding.
Slightly Longer Individual Stories, Fewer Overall Stories: Despite being the shortest Gospel, Mark sometimes provides more detailed accounts of individual stories (e.g., the Gerasene demoniac) than the other Synoptics, even though he includes fewer overall narratives.
The "Original" Ending: The earliest and most reliable manuscripts of Mark end abruptly at Mark 16:8, with the women fleeing the empty tomb in fear and telling no one. The longer ending (Mark 16:9-20) is generally considered a later addition to align with the resurrection appearances found in other Gospels.
By immersing yourself in Mark, you'll gain a profound appreciation for its unique literary artistry, its urgent message, and its powerful portrayal of Jesus as the authoritative Son of God who came to serve and to suffer. This journey will undoubtedly strengthen your faith and equip you further for your ministry.
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