“He (Mark) is the most original author of the four.”
Anderson, Janice Capel and Moore, Stephen D. (ed.), “Mark and Method – new approaches in biblical studies”, Augsbury Fortress 1992. (p4)

Why read the gospel?

A story: Once upon a time…
Two questions: Who is Jesus? What has he got to do with me?

Context - recent interests in Jesus: “Da Vinci Code”, “Passion of Christ”, “Jesus Tomb”, “Gospel of Thomas”

Being a disciple: Rabbinic discipleship model: imitate your teacher

Why according to Mark (kata markon)?

Mark is the shortest gospel, also the most condensed. Let make out life easier by starting small. Mark is almost half the length of Luke, 40 percent of Matthew and a full 200 verses or 25 percent shorter than John.