OTHER STUDIES BY TIMOTHY KELLER
Gospel in Life (video and study guide)
The Prodigal God (video and discussion guide)
The Reason for God (video and discussion guide)
ZONDERVAN
Jesus the King Study Guide
Copyright 2015 by Redeemer City to City
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Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546
ePub Edition January 2015: ISBN 978-0-310-81449-8
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Interior design: Denise Froehlich
First Printing December 2014
CONTENTS
In the few years since the publication of Jesus the King (originally titled Kings Cross), Ive spoken to people who, in seeking to present and recommend Christianity to someone, prefer this book over another volume I wrote, The Reason for God. I agree. Christianity is Jesus Christ, in a way that Islam is not Muhammad, nor Buddhism Buddha. Other religions were founded by teachers who pointed to a body of truth, and a way to find life, but Jesus says I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And so any book that simply summarizes the beliefs of Christianity cannot get us as close to the heart of it as a sustained look at Jesus himself.
I also believe that before many people will pay close attention to a case for why Christianity is true, they should first be brought to see why they might want it to be true. And there is no more rightful way to make Christianity deeply attractive than to display Jesus in all his wisdom, power, gentleness, and beauty. So ultimately I would say that this book and Reason are complementary. They need each other.
It is quite appropriate that this study guide should be written to facilitate group discussion of both Jesus the King and the Gospel of Mark. My book was based on a series of sermons preached on Sunday mornings at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City during 2006 and 2007. However, long before that, I wrote a series of Bible studies that my wife and I used for several years to lead weekly discussion groups.
There we came to trust that the straightforward accounts of what Jesus said and did have a remarkable power to work upon people. We didnt have to lecture, expound, and expostulate at length. Indeed, we learned a lot as members of our groups pointed out things in the text we had not noticed. The later sermons were filled with insights from those experiences of learning about Jesus in community. Peoples lives changed as they came into contact with Jesus the King.
Im delighted that through this study guide that kind of experience will become available to so many others. And Im grateful to be collaborating with Spence Shelton, whose experience as a pastor and study author with a deep understanding of the real-world dynamics of the gospel make him an excellent guide to this book.
Tim Keller, November, 2014
W elcome to the Jesus the King small group experience. Over the course of nine sessions you will read through the entirety of Timothy Kellers book Jesus the King (Riverhead Books) as well as the full Gospel of Mark. Each of the nine sessions focuses on helping the group participants understand and apply one big idea brought out in Jesus the King.
Overview of the Session Format
Each session in this study guide is broken into three parts: Pre-Group, Group Discussion, and On Your Own. Pre-Group and Group Discussion are essential for a great group experience, while On Your Own is designed to help you dig further into the concepts if you so desire.
PRE-GROUP
(To be completed on your own prior to the group session)
Each session includes a Reading Assignment a passage from the Gospel of Mark, chapters from the book Jesus the King, and the session Introduction followed by a Personal Reflection assessment and a short set of Bible Investigation questions. Work through these before arriving at your group gathering so you can be prepared to share and learn from others.
GROUP DISCUSSION
(To be completed together during the group session)
This part of the session is to be done together with the other group members. You will review your Pre-Group work, then discuss and apply the key truths and ideas for the rest of the session. The group leader will facilitate this part, which is designed to be a thought-provoking, fun, interactive time together.
ON YOUR OWN
(To be completed individually after the group session)
The On Your Own section is an optional individual challenge to help you engage and apply your learning after the group gathering.
EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS
In this ebook edition, please use your devices note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your devices highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).
Pre-Group
Work through the following readings, Personal Reflection assessment, and Bible Investigation questions to prepare for the group gathering.
READING ASSIGNMENT
Mark 1:1 20 and chapters Before, 1, and 2 of Jesus the King by Timothy Keller
[Your Notes]
INTRODUCTION
THE BIG IDEA
The gospel is not good advice; its a summons to follow a king.
THE CALL TO REPENT AND BELIEVE
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15 ESV)
T he first words Mark records from Jesus mouth, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, define the message and actions that will unfold in the rest of the book. Jesus bursts onto the scene not with a new code of ethics but with a news bulletin about a new reality.
Thats why Jesus calls his message gospel, which literally means good news. In Jesus day, this was not just any daily news but life-altering news. A gospel was so important it would hold the front pages of the news outlets for weeks. Whatever Jesus is declaring demands our full attention, and Mark reinforces this by putting it front and center: The kingdom of God is at hand. Mark builds the body of his whole story from this headline. Every move Jesus makes, as recorded by Mark, illustrates for his readers that the kingdom of God a new regime of perfect, healing leadership over the world is near. Jesus healings, his exorcisms, his mercy, his miracles, his authority over nature, his sacrifice, and his defeat of death are all filling out the story of this kingdom Jesus is announcing.
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