Thursday, May 27, 2010

Jesus Adds An Unexpected Gift to a Healing (Mark 2)

When has someone gone out of their way to help you?

When was the last time you've received an unexpected gift? What did you do with it?

Read Mark 2:1-12.

Which part of this story do you like the most?

Are there parts of this story that you do not like?

What questions do you have about this story?

Why do you think the four men brought the paralytic to Jesus? What did they expect he would do? How do you think they responded when Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven"?

If you were the paralyzed man, how would you have reacted when Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven"?

When the religious leaders accused Jesus of blaspheming (because only God can forgive sins), he asked them a question (verse 9). What is the right answer to Jesus' question? Why?

Were this man's sins forgiven? Did Jesus have authority to forgive sins? Why did Jesus think it was important to heal the man?

How do you think people responded when Jesus healed the man?

Which was more important for this man: to be healed of his paralysis or to be forgiven for his sins? Why?

We can't be exactly like Jesus, because Jesus was God. However, we can strive to be as much like him as possible. How can this story inspire you to be like Jesus? What can you do that is like his act of forgiving sins? What can you do that is like his act of healing the man?

How can this group pray for you this week?

No comments: