Family Worship Guide

Call to Worship – Isaiah 40:9–11

Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV)

Psalm Reading – Psalm 93

The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring. Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O LORD, forevermore. (ESV)

Prayer of Praise: Refer to the verses above and hymn below.

Hymn:‍ All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Reading of the Law: Micah 6:6–8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin: O Lord, our God, You have shown us what is good, yet we confess that we have not walked in Your ways. You call us to do justice, but we have pursued our own comfort. You command us to love kindness, but our hearts have been cold and slow to show mercy. You require us to walk humbly with You, yet pride and self‑reliance cling to us. Forgive our wandering, cleanse our hearts, and renew in us a spirit that delights in Your will. By Your grace, lead us in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Assurance of Pardon:: Romans 5:8–9

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. (ESV)

Response: The Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen, amen.

Confession of Faith: Westminster Larger Catechism - Questions 61-65

This week we continue grounding ourselves in the Larger Catechism’s teaching on the nature of the Church.

Question #61

Q. Are all they saved who hear the gospel, and live in the Church?

A. All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible Church, are not saved; but only they who are true members of the Church invisible.

John 12:38-40; Rom. 9:6; Matt. 22:14; Matt. 7:21; Rom. 11:7.

Question #62

Q. What is the visible Church?

A. The visible Church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 15:9-12; Rev. 7:9; Ps. 2:8; Ps. 22:27-31; Ps. 45:17; Matt. 28:19-20; Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:39; Rom. 11:16; Gen. 17:7.

Question #63

Q. What are the special privileges of the visible Church?

A. The visible Church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government; of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto him.

Isa. 4:5-6; 1 Tim. 4:10; Ps. 115:1-18; Isa. 31:4-5; Zech. 12:2-4,8-9; Acts 2:39, 42; Ps. 147:19-20; Rom. 9:4; Eph. 4:11-12; Mark 16:15-16; John 6:37.

Question #64

Q. What is the invisible Church?

A. The invisible Church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Eph. 1:10, 22-23; John 10:16; John 11:52.

Question #65

Q. What special benefits do the members of the invisible Church enjoy by Christ?

A. The members of the invisible Church, by Christ, enjoy union and communion with him in grace and glory.

John 17:21; Eph. 2:5-6; John 17:24

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Thank God that He has revealed His Son clearly in the Scriptures, and that through the Gospel of Mark we behold the authority, compassion, and saving work of Christ. Thank Him for the gift of His Word, which leads us to deeper trust and faithful discipleship.

Prayer of Supplication: Ask God to open our eyes to see Jesus as He truly is, to strengthen our faith as we follow Him, and to shape our lives according to the pattern of Christ’s kingdom. Pray that families in our church would grow in love for Scripture and in confidence in Christ’s care.

Bible reading and commentary: Mark Introduction

Mark’s Gospel calls us to see Jesus clearly, follow Him faithfully, and trust Him deeply.

John Calvin- “In the Gospel of Mark we are invited to behold Christ, in whom God shows us His heart.”

Herman Bavinck- “Christ is the center of Scripture, the fulfillment of all revelation, the One in whom God comes near.”

Martin Luther- “The Gospel is the story of Christ, and should be nothing else but pure joy.”

The Gospel of Mark is the earliest written account of the life and ministry of Jesus, likely composed in the late AD 50s or early 60s. Early church tradition identifies John Mark—the companion of Peter and Paul—as its author. Mark’s close relationship with the apostle Peter shaped the Gospel’s vivid, eyewitness quality. Many scholars describe it as “Peter’s preaching in written form,” a fast‑moving, action‑oriented proclamation of Christ.

Mark writes during a turbulent period for the early church. Persecution under Nero was rising, and believers in Rome faced fear, uncertainty, and social pressure. Into that environment, Mark presents Jesus not as a distant figure but as the living, authoritative Son of God who breaks into the world with power, compassion, and urgency. His opening line sets the tone: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

The Gospel is structured around two major movements. Chapters 1–8 reveal who Jesus is—the authoritative Messiah who teaches with power, heals the sick, casts out demons, and calls disciples to follow Him. Chapters 9–16 reveal what kind of Messiah He is—the suffering Son of Man who must go to the cross. The turning point comes at Peter’s confession in 8:29, followed immediately by Jesus’ first prediction of His death. Mark wants his readers to see that the path of the Messiah and the path of His disciples both lead through self‑denial, trust, and obedience.

Several themes run throughout the Gospel: the authority of Jesus, the in‑breaking of God’s kingdom, the call to discipleship, the mystery of spiritual sight and blindness, and the centrality of the cross. Mark’s favorite word, “immediately,” appears over forty times, giving the narrative a sense of urgency. Jesus is always moving, always acting, always calling people to respond.

As we begin this journey through Mark, we are invited to see Jesus clearly, follow Him faithfully, and trust Him deeply. Mark’s Gospel is not merely a record of past events—it is a summons to present discipleship.

Closing Hymn: The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

Closing Scripture: Hebrews 13:20–21

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (ESV)

The Lord’s Prayer (together):

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.