The Art of the Story Sandwich in Mark’s Gospel
Teaching Summary Outline by Jeremy Thomas
Introduction
- Presenter Introduction: Jeremy Thomas introduces the session.
- Central Theme:
- Exploring the literary structure in the Gospel of Mark, focusing on “story sandwiches.”
- Connecting Mark’s storytelling to deeper theological truths.
Section 1: The Concept of the “Story Sandwich”
- Definition:
- A narrative structure where one story is inserted into another, forming a “sandwich.”
- Central story (the “meat”) reveals the core message.
- Illustration:
- Comparison to sandwiches where the meat is the identifying element, not the bread.
- Biblical Examples:
- Example from Mark 5 (Jairus’s daughter and the bleeding woman).
Section 2: Exploring the Sandwich in Mark 7
- Central Narrative:
- Focus on Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees about purity (Mark 7:1-23).
- Teaching framed by two miraculous feedings (Mark 6 and 8).
- Chiasm Structure:
- Mark’s use of a pyramid-like narrative structure with the central teaching as the climax.
Section 3: Theological Insights
- Key Themes:
- Purity and impurity: External rituals vs. internal transformation.
- Human insufficiency vs. divine sufficiency.
- Application to Mark 7:
- Jesus critiques traditions of men that overshadow God’s commandments.
- Central teaching: The heart matters more than outward rituals.
Section 4: Practical Applications
- Discussion Prompts:
- Reflect on personal traditions and how they align with God’s commands.
- Explore faith and humility exemplified by the Syrophoenician woman.
- Life Lessons:
- Emphasis on inward transformation over external compliance.
- Avoiding the pitfalls of religious pride and hypocrisy.
Conclusion
- Encouragement to Reflect:
- Focus on God’s commandments motivated by love, not fear or tradition.
- Closing Prayer:
- Request for internal cleansing and genuine worship.