Pretend that you know nothing about Jesus, that you’ve never heard any stories about him and have never read anything about him. Now, in your complete ignorance, read Mark 1-6. (Available anywhere online or can be attached, if necessary).

Write a brief position paper in which you describe the portrayal of Jesus in these six chapters. According to Mark’s account (based only one what you read here), what was Jesus like? What kind of person was he? Who was he?

Resuming now your own knowledge of Jesus, how does Mark’s portrayal of Jesus (in the first six chapters) differ from the views of Jesus that you personally have held or heard? What is different? What is missing?