Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship

by Janet Wolf

Practicing The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship, by Janet Wolf, presents this well-known Gospel through voices and experiences that are often relegated to the margins. Where we stand, what we see, who we listen to, whose stories and voices we value or dismiss shape the way we understand the world and the Bible. This study incorporates the stories of those on the margins to uncover how the gospel is alive and well today—how God is, and always has been, calling us to live out the Word in a radical way. The study begins in Mark 14 with the story of a woman who bursts into a gathering of male disciples to anoint Jesus, and, to the surprise of the disciples, is resoundingly affirmed. Throughout Wolf utilizes personal experiences and stories entrusted to her through her work in prisons and as a community organizer to invite us to experience the power that stories have to heal, transform, liberate, and unshackle. And she engages us in scripture through a participatory Bible study process, which raises up voices and perspectives that are too often silenced or unheard. She pushes readers to Good news for whom? Good news about what? In five chapters, the study examines different passages in Mark and challenges readers to discover what radical discipleship looks like in their context. Each chapter ends with questions for personal reflection to help readers apply what they are learning in the study. The Rev. Janet Wolf is an elder in The United Methodist Church and has served as a pastor of rural and urban congregations. In July 2012, she was appointed to work with Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund on nonviolent direct-action organizing to dismantle the cradle-to-prison pipeline, work that includes the organization’s Freedom Schools and the annual Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. She is the author of “To See and To Be Seen,” a chapter in I Was in United Methodist Perspectives on Prison Ministry, edited by James M. Shopshire Sr., et al., and numerous other writings.

Genres: Nonfiction

Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2019

Reviews

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read that I will be discussing with others at a United Methodist Women Mission U workshop on August 6 at Genesis UMC - Highly recommend this book for a new take on Mark and on Jesus' parables - From the Publisher: Practicing Resurrection: The Gospel of Mark and Radical Discipleship, by Janet Wolf, presents this well-known Gospel through voices and experiences that are often relegated to the margins. Where we stand, what we see, who we listen to, whose
stories and voices we value or dismiss shape the way we understand the world and the Bible. This study incorporates the stories of those on the margins to uncover how the gospel is alive and well today—how God is, and always has been, calling us to live out the Word in a radical way.
The study begins in Mark 14 with the story of a woman who bursts into a gathering of male disciples to anoint Jesus, and, to the surprise of the disciples, is resoundingly affirmed. Throughout Wolf utilizes personal experiences and stories entrusted to her through her work in prisons and as a community organizer to invite us to experience the power that stories have to heal, transform, liberate, and unshackle. And she engages us in scripture through a participatory Bible study process, which raises up voices and perspectives that are too often silenced or unheard. She pushes readers to ask: Good news for whom? Good news about what?
In five chapters, the study examines different passages in Mark and challenges readers to discover what radical discipleship looks like in their context. Each chapter ends with questions for personal reflection to help readers apply what they are learning in the study. The Rev. Janet Wolf is an elder in The United Methodist Church and has served as a pastor of rural and urban congregations. In July 2012, she was appointed to work with Marian Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund on nonviolent direct-action organizing to dismantle the cradle-to-prison pipeline, work that includes the organization’s Freedom Schools and the annual Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. She is the author of “To See and To Be Seen,” a chapter in I Was in Prison: United Methodist Perspectives on Prison Ministry, edited by James M. Shopshire Sr., et al., and numerous other writings.

[Tomi Alger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a United Methodist Women's Mission U study book. It focuses on a few chapters in the Gospel of Mark and gives the readers new insight on the people involved in the stories. Radical discipleship involves being along side those who are in the margins of life, those who are oppressed or left out. What can we do or are we doing to stop the oppression? Or are we part of the system perpetuating the oppression? Janet Wolff certainly challenges us. It is a thought-provoking book.

[Brian White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janet Wolf is challenging to spirit and mind. She is an advocate with the vocabulary of a poet. It will take a while to digest this book and its potential for transformation personally and in my life as a spiritual leader.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In every day rural America, there doesn't seem to be a bevy of injustices to protest against! But I have found one! We need to change how often and for how long women in Oklahoma are incarcerated--the highest percentage in the WORLD! I am going to work on this issue!

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my Bible Study group.