The Main Idea

Have you ever received an email or letter claiming you inherited something unbelievable? Maybe you laughed it off, but deep down, you were at least a little curious. What if it’s true?

This is the question we are tackling in this series. The book of Mark presents Jesus in a way that forces us to ask: What if Jesus is truly King? What if the Kingdom of God is real? Because if it is, then everything in our lives, our priorities, decisions, and identity must change.

But the challenge is control. We like to live as the rulers of our kingdoms. We enjoy Jesus as Savior, but what about Jesus as King? What happens when He calls us to surrender and follow Him?

Scriptures

Mark 1:14-31

¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then, a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷ The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Luke 14:26

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.

Questions for Discussion

• Icebreaker: If you suddenly discovered you were royalty, what’s the first thing you would do? How do you think your life would change?
• The world encourages us to “live your truth” and “build your own empire.” How does Jesus’ announcement of God’s kingdom challenge that mindset? (Mark 1:15)
• Read Mark 1:16-20. Jesus’ disciples immediately left everything to follow Him. What might “leaving your nets” look like for you today?
• Jesus teaches with authority, heals the sick, and commands even demons (Mark 1:21-28). How does this shape your view of His authority in your own life? Are there areas where you struggle to trust His rule?
• We often want Jesus to save us but not to rule over us. What is one area of your life where you need to surrender control and truly follow Him? How can this group support you in that?

Moving Forward

If Jesus is truly King, then every part of our lives, our plans, identity, and future belong to Him. Following Him means trusting Him, even when we don’t see the full picture. This week, reflect on this: What would change in your life if you fully embraced Jesus as King, not just as Savior?