The Winslow mail., 1923-09-07
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 9
JOHN MARK

LESSON TEXT-Mark 14:51-52; Acts
1912; 25-13:5; Acts 1536-4O II Tim.
All.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do, do it with thy
might."-Eccles. 9:10.
PRIMARY TOPIC-John Mark, One
Of PauIs Helpers.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Man Who
Failed and Tried Again.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
TC-Warning and Encouragement From
the Life of Mark.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Marks Contribution to Christianity.
1. Marks Home Life (Acts 12:12).
He had the wholesome influence of
Christian home, for his mother was
a godly woman. There is no heritage
to be compared to that of a godly
home. Nothing has such far-reach-
ing influence upon the life of young
man as the memory Of praying moth
er. Even when it was so perilous to
be known as follower Of Jesus, she
was not afraid to have prayer meet
ing in her home.
H. Mark With Jesus in Gethsemane
Mark IA :51, 52).
AT the sight of the Roman guard,
the disciples "all forsOOk Him and
fled" This timid lad still followed
the Lord till laid hold on by the young
men. He then fled, leaving behind
him his liner garment, This Geth-
semane experience doubtless had
Ill. Mark Servant of Paul and
Barnabas (Acts II :25-13:5).
Mark was with the company when
Peter told of his wonderful release
from prison. This, doubtless, made
great impression upon him and was
the beginning,.of of his desire to accom-
pany the missionaries of the cross.
He was not a missionary on the same
footing as Paul and Barnabas, but an
attendant upon them to look after
their needs.
w. Mark DESERVING Paul and Barna-
bas (Acts 1919
We are not told the cause of this
desertion Three conjectures, one or
all Of which had bearing, upon his
action, are offered.
l. Inconsistencies. His home was of
easy circumstances if not wealthy. AS
they were carrying the gospel into the
rough, mountainous country, occupied
by rough, half-civilized people, the
mettle of this young servant was tried.
We ought not to condemn him too
readily, for we know how trying it Is
to leave home when struggling against
the rough world. While sympathizing
with him, we, must remember that
duty is stronger than the tender ties
of life. The time comes when the sol
der must spurn the ties which bind
him to father mother, wife and chill
dlen, in response to the call of duty.
The missionary must turn his back
upon home, native land, and friends in
his devotion to his Lord.
2. Disbelief in Foreign Missions.
There was a common prejudice among
the Jews against taking the gospel to
the GentileS. When he saw that these
missionaries were going to the ire
gions beyond" his prejudice may have
caused him to turn back.
8. COwardice. The dangers before
them were not imaginary but real.
The missionary today faces awful dam
gers: climate, wild beasts, deadly SER
pents and insects, and savage and can
nibalistic men. However, fear is no
excuse for cowardice because we are
Iiv,IY 60 fho ofrrhf fx, Nv foi
is nothing in heaven or on earth that
can harm u.s. Courage Is required Of
those who would do the Lords work.
v. Mark With Peter in Babylon Il
Pet. 5:13).
Seine gears after Marks desertion,
when Paul and Barnabas were arrang-
ing for a second evangelistic tour,
they had a sharp dispute over the
question Of taking Mark with them.
Paul would not consent to Marks ac-
companying them, so 'they departed
asunder one from the other" Mark
went with his uncle. BY this time he
must have been cured of his cowardice
for we see him associated with Peter
in Babylon.
vi. Mark Honored by Paul (II Tim.
Aid.
Paul is now an old man in prison.
Mark is a midde-aged man associated
with Timothy at Ephesus. Mark had
proved himself, for Paul gives the
pleasing testimony that che is profit
able unto me for the ministry" Mark
is an example of one who made good
in spite of ais early backsliding.