Athey Creek: Audio Podcast

Jesus and three of His disciples ascend a mountain in Mark 9 and what happens next – known as the transfiguration – is a fascinating event that raises many questions. As we seek to break down what happened, we learn important information about Jesus’ kingdom, see the disciples' reactions, and hear what happened after they came down.

We join Jesus as He travels around the Decapolis region and makes more headlines by feeding 4,000 people, curbing the Pharisees' intrigues, and healing another blind man. As we study these events in Mark 8, we see Jesus as our provider, Messiah, and one worthy of following boldly.

After the disciples failed to help, a man with a demon-possessed son comes to Jesus in Mark 9:14-29 asking for healing and relief from the tormenting spirit. As Jesus addresses the situation, we see how demonic activity manifests in our day and how we – especially fathers – should respond.

After calling out the Pharisees on their vain traditions, Jesus has more to say about the condition of our hearts and what defiles us in Mark 7. Then we find Him traveling through the region, healing people to demonstrate His love and compassion for everyone, showing us how to minister to others, and doing all things well.

The Pharisees confront Jesus after finding fault in His disciples for violating their rules and question Him as to why they are not following their traditions. As Jesus answers in Mark 7:1-13, we learn how to think about traditions, if, when, and how we should cover or expose sins, and how the Word of God is always the authority on our actions.

Have you ever had a golden opportunity? Did you take advantage of it, or did you miss it? In Mark 6, we see people presented with opportunities to experience what Jesus has to offer in forgiveness, salvation, and healing. As we watch how they respond, may we be those who don’t miss out on the opportunity to know Jesus.

Jesus returns to His hometown of Nazareth in Mark 6:1-6 to a chilly reception and an outraged community that prevented Him from performing miracles there. As we learn why Jesus faced such rejection from His hometown, we find many of the same reasons people still reject Jesus today.

In a risky move, a religious leader falls before Jesus to ask Him to come heal his sick daughter. This request sets off a chain of events in Mark 5:21-43 that will show Jesus’ power over sickness and death, His compassion upon everyone, and that we can trust Him to keep His promises through delays and interruptions, despite ridicule and risk, and in the most extreme circumstances.

After years of suffering, pain, and failed medical treatments, a woman hears about Jesus and hatches a plan to touch the hem of His garment, hoping for healing from her condition. As she carries out her bold action in Mark 5:25-34, the woman not only receives the healing she needs but also serves as an example for us to come to Jesus for salvation and to seek Him first, no matter what we are facing.

Jesus’ ministry is in full swing in Mark 4:21-5:20 as He travels about teaching parables and demonstrating His power over demons. As we hear what He has to say and watch events unfold, we learn important lessons on compromise, caring for others, sharing the Word, and identifying good and bad seeds.

Jesus and His disciples are crossing the sea of Galilee in Mark 4:35-41 when a fierce storm threatens to swamp and sink their boat. As we watch Jesus calm the wind and waves, we learn how to face the storms we will all undoubtedly encounter by placing our trust in Jesus and the peace only He can provide.

Jesus shares the parable of the sower and the seeds in Mark 4:1-20, emphasizing the importance of listening to what He is saying with an ear to understand. As we try to do just that by digging into some underlying concepts, pictures, and theology, we see common threads that span the Bible and unlock essential truths about God’s plan for humanity and how we should live as Christians.

As Jesus gains notoriety, He begins to attract the attention of the public and the indignation of the religious leaders. As we watch how He interacts with both groups in Mark 3, we see Him respond to the crowds with compassion and love and to the religious leaders with logic and righteous anger as they accuse and criticize Him.

Jesus has assembled His team of 12 disciples in Mark 3:13-19 – but they aren’t exactly the dream team. So then, why did Jesus select these men? As we study, we see what Jesus saw in them, learn what it means to be chosen, and why we, too, are the perfect picks when we decide to follow Jesus.

As Jesus travels around the region preaching, healing, performing miracles, and associating with known sinners, He begins to gain fame among the crowds ­and draw the ire of the religious leaders. As we watch Jesus’ ministry unfold in Matthew 1:35-2:28, we see His model for prayer, how He interacted with sinners, and learn that love supersedes the law and tradition.

As Jesus preaches to a jam-packed house in Capernaum, four enterprising friends dig through the roof to lower a paralyzed man to Him for healing. As we watch the story unfold in Matthew 2:1-12, we see what the participants' perspectives teach us about friendship, faith, and forgiveness and how this scene serves as a model for the church today.

We begin our study in the Book of Mark by being introduced to its author, identifying its unique characteristics, and learning the underlying themes and purpose. As we jump into the rapid-fire narrative in Mark 1:1-34, we see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and how various witnesses validated it.

Jesus calls four men to leave everything behind to be His disciples in Mark 1:16-20. As we watch them walk away from their fishing nets, we learn what it costs to follow Jesus, what we will get out of it, and how to avoid falling away when we encounter tough times.

As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we look to the empty tomb in Matthew 28:1-6 as we explore how Jesus conquered death. As we study, we learn how we respond will lead to everlasting life for those who confess their sin and believe in Him or eternal doom for those who reject His free gift of salvation.

It’s an astounding scene in Mathew 28 as a group of women find Jesus’ empty tomb and learn from an angel that He has risen, and they are to start spreading the news. As we wrap up the book of Matthew, we clear up controversies, rejoice in our risen Savior and Messiah, and receive our marching orders to tell others about Jesus.