Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host its winter 2013 Lay Bible Institute from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30 in Sieck Hall 202 on the Seminary campus. “‘Following Jesus and Life Under the Cross’” — Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark” will be presented by Rev. David Lewis, assistant professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary.

Mark’s Gospel presents its readers with a strange paradox in the matter of discipleship: On the one hand, Jesus in Mark speaks clearly about the exalted status and the great responsibilities that His disciples have. On the other hand, Mark presents a very stark and almost negative portrayal of the disciples themselves as characters in the Gospel narrative. In spite of their high calling, Jesus’ disciples are depicted as people who more often than not fail to understand what Jesus says and does. This lack of understanding only intensifies once Jesus announces that His destiny is to suffer, die, and then rise again. But it is especially in light of Jesus’ destiny to go to the cross that we as His disciples are called to follow Him. In this study we will look at what the Gospel of Mark teaches about the life of the believer as a follower of Jesus — the call to share the exalted status that we have as Jesus’ brothers, sisters, and co-workers, but also the call to be willing to live in sacrificial service to one another.

To register for the Lay Bible Institute, use one of the following options:

• Call 314-505-7486 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Email ce@csl.edu
  
• Register Online

The cost is $30 per person and includes all handouts and refreshments. Registration deadline is Jan. 2. Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place, in Clayton, Mo.