Kata Markon

["Jeremy Reynalds" <jreynalds AT aol.com>]

Dear Friends,
I am a PhD student in intercultural education at Biola University. As part
of that program one of the courses I am taking this term is at Biola's
adjoining Talbot Seminary.
The course is called Jesus the Master Teacher and the passage I hope you
will be able to provide me with some insight on is Mark 9: 14-29.
What I am looking at in GENERAL is:
The holistic environment--the braader and immediate context and setting of
the events described
The general chronology of the event
The emotional states of the disciples
The historical and cultural climate of the disciples and Jesus

SPECIFICALLY:
Why and what is Jesus teaching the 12?
The aim of the lesson
The disciples progress and persapective in learning  
The kind of teaching method and interaction
What did the disciples actually learn
What can we learn about Jesus His person and practice from this?
What are the principles for teaching today that we can garner from this
passage?

Any insight that you can give me in relation to any of the above questions
would be most appreciated.
And any other resources that you can point me to would also be most
helpful
Thank you in advance for your help.

Jeremy Reynalds