The Gospel
Mark 1:14-15
May 18, 2025
Andrew Boone
Jargon isn’t always bad—but it’s only helpful when it’s understood.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. —Mark 1:1 ESV
“Gospel” was used to announce the birth of Roman emperors, tell of royal weddings, and declare military victories.
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” —Mark 1:2-3 ESV
The Jewish messiah would be a king who would restore the reign of God. He’d bring comfort and tenderness, help for the poor and needy, healing for the blind and deaf, forgiveness for sin, judgment on God’s enemies, and make a new agreement between God and people.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” —Mark 1:14-15 ESV
The Gospel is about creation, fall, and the promise of rescue from the Jewish scriptures.
The Gospel is about a kingdom.
He [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. —Colossians 1:13 ESV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. —Romans 5:8-9 ESV
The Gospel produces repentance.
Repentance is more than remorse for sin, it’s changing direction.
Repentance means LEAVING the kingdom of darkness and LIVING in the kingdom of God.
The Gospel is to be believed and embraced.
The hearer doesn’t make an announcement true or false, they only respond.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you— unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. —1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV
Believing means embracing Jesus as both Savior and King.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” —Mark 1:14-15 ESV
Big Idea:
The Gospel is the world-changing announcement that God’s kingdom is open and we can enter it by rejecting the kingdom of darkness and embracing Jesus as our Savior and King.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word and lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
Read Mark 1:14-15
(1) The word “Gospel” (v 14) means “good news,” and is a term that was used in Roman propaganda to announce the birth of emperors, announce royal weddings, and declare military victory. What might it have meant for Jesus to use the same word to describe His message? How might that have sounded to people living under Roman rule? How does Jesus’ gospel challenge earthly allegiances or competing “kingdoms” in our lives today?
(2) Jesus begins His message by saying, “The time is fulfilled” (v 15). How might this statement have sounded to people who were waiting for God to act? How do you handle the tension between waiting and action? Is there any area in your life where you sense Him prompting you that now is the time to respond, trust, or take a step?
(3) In verse 15 when Jesus says “the kingdom of God is at hand,” He’s announcing that God’s rule and reign is breaking into the world. What do you think people expected God’s kingdom to look like, and how was Jesus’ version surprising? What does it look like to live under God’s reign today, in your home, your work, or your relationships?
(4) In what ways are you tempted to look for hope in other “kingdoms”, such as political systems, success, control, comfort, etc.? How does Jesus’ kingdom offer something different, something better?
(5) Jesus calls for two responses: “repent and believe in the gospel” (v 15). Repentance means more than just feeling sorry. It means turning away from one direction and reorienting your life toward God. Why does Jesus include repentance as part of the response to the good news of the kingdom? How does seeing repentance as an invitation to return to Jesus, rather than just a demand to stop sinning, change how you approach it?
(6) Repentance is often seen as a one-time moment, but it is also a continual posture. What does ongoing repentance look like in the life of someone following Jesus? What are some things, attitudes, patterns, behaviors, or priorities you’ve found hard to turn away from, even when you know they aren’t in line with God’s will?
(7) What does it truly mean for you to “believe in the gospel” (v 15)? Is it simply intellectual assent, or does it involve a deeper trust and reliance on Jesus? How is that different from how people often talk about “belief” today?
(8) Jesus invites people to “believe in the gospel,” (v 15) but not everyone chooses to. Why do you think some people respond to Jesus with faith, while others walk away? What helped you respond with belief? How can you invite someone hearing the gospel message to consider Jesus more deeply?