2 Minute Disciple

Episode Summary: This week’s study takes us into a powerful section of Mark’s Gospel where Jesus confronts religious traditions that miss the heart of God. We’ll see: Why the Pharisees were upset about unwashed hands Jesus’ teaching that what comes from inside a person defiles them A Gentile woman’s persistent faith that moved Jesus to heal her daughter The compassionate healing of a man who was deaf and mute Key Scriptures: Mark 7:1–37 Romans 8:28 (Memory Verse) Discussion Questions: What did Jesus say about traditions vs. God’s commands? How does His teaching challenge your view of “clean” and “unclean”? What stands out to you about the Syrophoenician woman’s faith? How can you live more like Jesus this week? Weekly Exercises (Choose One): Personal Worship – Play worship music and spend time praising God. Scripture Memory – Memorize Romans 8:28. Creative Worship – Color Bible verse art as an act of devotion. Support the Podcast: If this study has blessed you, consider supporting the 2 Minute Disciple Podcast by clicking the support link on the episode page. Download the pdf here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GRwZf8OX5QTewNmUUE7-N3bkHFA8HEMw/view?usp=share_link) Next Week’s Assignment: Read Mark 8 in preparation for Week 8.

In this Mark 6 Bible Study, we explore how Jesus faced rejection in His hometown, empowered His disciples for ministry, and showed compassion by feeding the 5,000. Discover how faith overcomes fear, how to trust God’s provision, and how to walk closely with Jesus in everyday life. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why unbelief can limit what God does in your life. How Jesus sends His followers with authority and simplicity. The meaning behind the feeding of the 5,000. Lessons from Jesus walking on water. Whether you’re new to Bible study or a seasoned believer, this verse-by-verse teaching will help you deepen your apprenticeship to Jesus. 📖 Read Along: Mark 6:1–56 (ESV) 🎯 Series: An Apprenticeship to Jesus – Gospel of Mark Study 🔗 Resources: Download the PDF Study Here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Hngp05s2FVLHACfh-hgEttZG90MfjvN/view?usp=share_link) Subscribe now so you never miss a week of growing in faith and understanding God’s Word.

In this week’s episode of An Apprenticeship to Jesus: Gospel of Mark Study, Nick Oyler explores Mark 5, where Jesus frees a man possessed by a legion of demons. This Bible study podcast offers practical lessons on spiritual freedom, faith, and trusting God’s power in the storms of life. 📖 Download the free study guide here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RXG8_lKu7hLhRc92Upz8on3id_Nbx_4K/view?usp=share_link) 🎧 Subscribe for weekly Gospel of Mark episodes. 💬 Join the conversation here (https://2minutedisciple.fireside.fm/articles/apprenticeship5)

In this week’s episode of An Apprenticeship to Jesus: Gospel of Mark Study, Nick Oyler guides you through Mark chapter 4, exploring the powerful Parable of the Sower and Jesus’ teaching on the Lamp under a Basket. Discover what it means to be good soil, how to guard your heart from distractions, and why Jesus often spoke in parables. This episode offers practical discipleship insights, thought-provoking discussion questions, and encouragement for your spiritual growth. Whether you’re studying alone or with a small group, you’ll be challenged to hear God’s Word, accept it, and bear fruit in your daily life. 📖 Scripture Reading: Mark 4:1–25 💬 Key Themes: Gospel of Mark, parables of Jesus, spiritual growth, discipleship, faith in action 📥 Free PDF Study Guide (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZflwyFRaKGgLRtoJZMyZzj4JszRc_cFW/view?usp=share_link)

If you haven’t yet, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes, and download the free PDF (https://drive.google.com/file/d/194L0amQ9QW96NEkLC_89kdt1Puv9Lwsf/view?usp=share_link) study guide from our website. Mark 3 — Key Events 1. Jesus Heals on the Sabbath In the synagogue, Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand. The religious leaders watch closely, hoping to accuse Him. Jesus asks: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” When they remain silent, He heals the man — revealing God’s heart for compassion over legalism. 2. Crowds Follow Jesus From Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and beyond, people come to see Jesus. His miracles draw many, and even unclean spirits declare Him the Son of God. 3. Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles Jesus calls and appoints twelve men to be His closest followers, sending them out to preach and giving them authority to cast out demons: Simon Peter James & John (Sons of Thunder) Andrew Philip Bartholomew Matthew Thomas James son of Alphaeus Thaddaeus Simon the Zealot Judas Iscariot 4. Confrontation with Religious Leaders The scribes accuse Jesus of working by the power of Satan. Jesus responds with the famous teaching: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” He warns against blaspheming the Holy Spirit — a sin with eternal consequences. 5. Redefining Family When His mother and brothers come looking for Him, Jesus declares: “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

Key Lessons from Jesus Faith can move obstacles – The friends of the paralytic didn’t let a crowd stop them from bringing him to Jesus. Jesus has authority to forgive sins – This was shocking to the religious leaders but central to His mission. Compassion over condemnation – Jesus welcomed sinners to His table. The Sabbath is for man’s benefit – It’s a gift, not a burden. And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” 13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 18 Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” 23 One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:1–28, ESV Discussion: What did Jesus say in this chapter?...

Read Mark 1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, 3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” 4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” 12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. 21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. 29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. 35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And...

Have you ever wanted to learn how to pray better? Jesus’ disciples wanted to know how to pray Jesus’ style and he taught them how to pray and his way of prayer can take us way past our feeble attempts at prayer. Luke 11:1–10 (CEB): Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom. 3 Give us the bread we need for today. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation.’ 5 He also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. 9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.

I hate unsolicited advice from others. If I wanted to know what you thought, I would have asked. However, I can jump right in and point out your faults before I look at my own log. This is the part of Jesus’ sermon where he is starting to meddle. If I’m honest with myself, I need his meddling and he is teaching me to check my heart before I dole out advice. Man, this learning from Jesus is a process and I’m a slow learner sometimes.

I have to admit that I like to do stuff for God more than doing what he says, but I’m slowly learning to do what he says rather than just doing something for him. This podcast was an act of obedience to God. I was praying and asking God to help me find what was next in my career and he nudged me to lean into my podcast, so I was obedient. My why for 2 Minute Disciple, is to get to know Jesus and his words so that we can put them into practice.

When we are anxious and panicked about our situation, we want someone else to be as anxious as we are. Jesus was calm, so calm that he was asleep and when he wakes up, he calmly tells the wind to stop. His words in that moment to the disciples are what speaks to me the most, “Why are you afraid, where is your faith?” I know, there is no need to fear, my God is in control. Easier said than done, but I’m learning.

The longer that I live, the more I realize that life is painful and death is part of life. It’s not easy to loose someone close to you and grief can be overwhelming. It hurts so much that we can’t bear it and the if only game starts to play on repeat in our heads and sometimes comes out of our mouths. Jesus is teaching me that resurrection and life are also a part of our lives, when we believe in him we never die. We also know that our God cries with us, we are not alone in our pain, God is with us.

Jesus’ way of life is upside down from the way of the people around me. Who likes to say no to yourself? The life that we gain in Jesus is our BEST life. When we trust Jesus and lay down our lives for his sake, we gain so much more than we can imagine.

This is interesting, if I want God to answer my prayers and if I want to receive things from God, then I need to offer forgiveness to receive forgiveness. I like holding things over people’s heads, I’m that Cardinal fan who still holds on to the angst of the bad call in the ‘85 World Series. I’m that Bears fan who can’t get past the double doink and I’m that crazy Illini fan that can’t get over Bruce Pearl ratting on our program and their recruiting practices. Some of you have no idea what I’m talking about, but that’s what unforgiveness is, hanging on to hurts that no one cares about anymore and you can’t change the outcome by holding on to them. Jesus is teaching me to let go of those hurts so that God can answer my prayers and give me true life. Sometimes, I don’t even realize that I’m hanging on to unforgiveness until something makes me remember and I have to let it go and ask for forgiveness as I am forgiving.

Life is busy! Each day has a list of things that need to be accomplished for work and around the house as well as to keep up family relationships. We have enough things to keep ourselves busy 24/7. I can relate to the frenetic pace of Jesus’ ministry here in Mark’s gospel, however, Jesus shows us that our relationship with God needs time too. I am learning that I have to carve out time to be with God, it doesn’t just happen naturally, I have to intentionally carve out time to be alone with God. I meet with Him in the shower and and I listen to his word while I iron clothes. This is what works for me and what I’ve learned from Jesus is that if he could carve out time to be with the father, then so can I.

I want to be great in God’s kingdom! I want to be known for preaching great sermons that lead thousands of people to Jesus. I want to be a household name and have numerous best selling books. I want people to like me and be an influencer like none other. I want to be famous for Jesus and the name people think of when they hear the word Christian. I want to heal people with the touch on my hand. I want to be the greatest Christian ever…however, those things are not what makes a person great in God’s kingdom. Greatness in God’s kingdom has more to do with humility and becoming like a child. That is hard to do, to check the ego at the door and be willing to be the lowest on the totem pole for God’s glory. My ego wants to fight back, but I’m learning to be humble a little at a time.

Jesus is teaching me to listen to people and to speak the Gospel into their lives in the midst of a simple conversation. It’s not about beating people over the head with a Bible or being obnoxious by shouting through a bullhorn the four spiritual laws. It’s about being present and having compassion on the people in your path. When we do that, we are looking a lot like Jesus and making a dent on the harvest. The little things we do every day to show compassion like Jesus are just as important as the big things we do for Jesus.

Jesus saw people, had concern for them and changed their story regardless of what was going on around him. The religious leaders, on the other hand were more concerned with keeping the rules than seeing the needs of people. If there is one thing that we can learn from Jesus here is that he has a genuine concern for people and their needs over the rules for the day.

We all wear some sort of mask that makes us look like what we think the people we are around at the time want us to look. However, Jesus challenges us to be real and take off our masks and be who we say we are.

We don’t talk a lot about spiritual warfare, because if we can’t see it our touch it , we can’t understand it and if we can’t understand it, we dismiss it as not real. However, the more we hang out with Jesus, we realize that spiritual warfare is real and we need to be on guard against the spiritual forces that want to torment us. Jesus said that this is war and we need to choose our side and guard his word with our lives.