Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything (John Perritt)

Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything

With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him? 

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.

About the Authors: 

John Perritt, MDiv, DMin, is the Director of Resources for Reformed Youth Ministries and serves as the host of The Local Youth Worker podcast for RYM. He is the author of Your Days Are Numbered, What Would Judas Do?, and Time Out! The Gift or God of Youth Sports. He and his wife, Ashleigh, live in Ridgeland, MS, with their five children.

Endorsements: 

“The gospel changes everything. But the gospel must be communicated fully and clearly to our students in order to facilitate and nurture their spiritual growth. In a day and age when too much youth ministry is marked by dumbing down, John Perritt sets the bar high, offering us a teaching tool to take students deep into the Word in ways that will lead to clear application and spiritual depth.”
Walt Mueller, Founder, Center for Parent/Youth Understanding; author

“I am so thankful for John Perritt’s heart and art, captured in his new book, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything. As a former youth pastor, I find it refreshing (and rare) to find discipleship materials that honor the Scriptures and clearly communicate the gospel of God’s grace, and contextualize those two grand realities for the culture of today’s students. John’s study targets the heads, hearts, and hands of our students, calling them into a lifestyle of gospel transformation as they engage with the book of Mark.”
Scotty Smith, Pastor Emeritus, Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN; teacher in residence, West End Community Church, Nashville, TN

“Parents, small-group leaders, youth pastors, and all those who minister to students can easily be intimidated when it comes to helping teenagers understand the Word of God. The Gospel-Centered Life for Students series is practical tool that can be used in large groups, small groups, or even personal study. Instead of focusing on moralism, this series aims precisely at the good news of the gospel, displayed in the person of Christ. In a day and age where students carry more stress than ever before, these pages remind the readers of the undeserved, unmatched, and unbelievable grace of God.”
Drew Hill, Pastor; Young Life staff; author of Alongside: Loving Teenagers with the Gospel

“Nothing is more vital to our intimacy with Christ than spending time with him in his Word. But a lot of Bible studies stop short and only deal with concepts and ideas and never really speak to our hearts. That’s why I’m so excited about this series. Each author is writing about the unique gospel insights he or she has gained from Scripture and has created a small-group study that will help students actually encounter Christ and be changed by the power of his grace. This has been the heartbeat of Serge from our very beginning. I’m thrilled that we are now making this type of teaching more widely available to others. God has used this material powerfully in my life, marriage, and ministry, and that is my prayer for you as well.”
Bob Osborne, Executive Director, Serge

“This study is designed to engage students in Scripture so they can grow in their knowledge of the Word of God and deepen their relationship with the God of the Word. It beautifully facilitates personal study, life application, and group discussion of God’s Word. This will be a great tool and resource for our student ministry curriculum!”
Jay Shaw, Youth Pastor, Briarwood Presbyterian Church

“I was a former youth pastor and RUF campus minister, and Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything is great discipleship material. Perritt creates thoughtful interaction with the biblical text concerning Christ’s kingdom and mission. We need resources like this to shape our lives with others in the community of the Cross. This study of Mark will let parents, youth leaders, and pastors breathe sighs of relief while serving the next generation of the church.”
Clint Wilcke, Catalyst Director, The Mid-South Church Planting Network