The Healing of the Paralytic: Difference between revisions

From 2nd Book
Jump to navigationJump to search

The Healing of the Paralytic (view source)

Revision as of 10:11, 28 March 2025

3,843 bytes added ,  28 March
no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
Line 211: Line 211:
* These Genesis passages show that '''God has always judged thoughts''', not just actions.
* These Genesis passages show that '''God has always judged thoughts''', not just actions.
* Luke’s choice to emphasize '''internal reasoning''' rather than '''spoken words''' fits with his pattern of showing Christ as the '''one who discerns hearts''', just as God did in Genesis.
* Luke’s choice to emphasize '''internal reasoning''' rather than '''spoken words''' fits with his pattern of showing Christ as the '''one who discerns hearts''', just as God did in Genesis.
== '''Group Study Guide: The Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12 & Luke 5:17-26)''' ==
'''Scripture Passages:'''
* Mark 2:1-12
* Luke 5:17-26
----
=== '''Opening Discussion:''' ===
* Have you ever faced obstacles in your faith journey? How did you overcome them?
* What does it mean to be spiritually “paralyzed”?
----
=== '''Part 1: Observing the Passage''' ===
'''Read Mark 2:1-12 and Luke 5:17-26 aloud.'''
==== '''Common Elements in Both Accounts:''' ====
# '''Setting''' – Jesus is teaching in a house filled with people.
# '''The Paralytic is Brought to Jesus''' – His friends lower him through the roof due to the crowd.
# '''Jesus’ Words of Forgiveness''' – Before healing, Jesus declares the man’s sins forgiven.
# '''Religious Leaders Object''' – They accuse Jesus of blasphemy, thinking only God can forgive sins.
# '''Jesus Challenges Their Thinking''' – He asks whether it is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven” or “Rise and walk.”
# '''Jesus Heals the Paralytic''' – The man rises and walks as proof of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
# '''The Crowd Reacts''' – People glorify God, amazed at what they have witnessed.
==== '''Differences Between Mark and Luke:''' ====
{| class="wikitable"
!Feature
!Mark 2:1-12
!Luke 5:17-26
|-
|'''Setting'''
|House in Capernaum
|House with Pharisees & teachers present
|-
|'''Audience'''
|Crowd, some scribes present
|Pharisees and teachers from various regions (Judea, Jerusalem, Galilee)
|-
|'''How the Man Arrives'''
|Lowered through the roof by four friends
|Same, but Luke adds more details on crowd obstruction
|-
|'''Jesus’ Initial Words'''
|“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
|“Man, your sins are forgiven.”
|-
|'''Scribes’ Reaction'''
|“Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
|Internal reasoning emphasized instead of spoken words
|-
|'''Healing Demonstration'''
|“Get up, take your mat, and walk.”
|Same, but Luke adds that the man left glorifying God.
|-
|'''Response of the Crowd'''
|Amazed and glorifies God
|Amazed, filled with fear, and says, “We have seen strange things today.”
|}
----
=== '''Part 2: Understanding the Message''' ===
==== '''1. Jesus’ Authority to Forgive Sins''' ====
* Why does Jesus forgive the paralytic before healing him?
* How does this challenge the religious leaders’ understanding of God?
==== '''2. The Role of Faith''' ====
* What does the persistence of the paralytic’s friends teach us about faith?
* How does faith remove obstacles that block access to Jesus?
==== '''3. The Pharisees’ Internal Resistance''' ====
* Why did they struggle to accept Jesus’ authority?
* How does Luke’s emphasis on their internal reasoning relate to our own doubts and struggles?
==== '''4. The Reaction of the Crowd''' ====
* How do amazement, fear, and glorifying God reveal different levels of understanding?
* How should we respond when we witness God’s power in our lives?
----
=== '''Part 3: Applying the Message''' ===
* What obstacles (personal or societal) prevent people from coming to Jesus today?
* How can we be like the paralytic’s friends, bringing others to Christ?
* What does this passage teach us about trusting Jesus for both spiritual and physical healing?
'''Challenge for the Week:'''
* Identify one area in your life where you feel “paralyzed” and pray for Jesus to bring healing.
* Reach out to someone who may feel distant from God and encourage them in faith.
----
=== '''Closing Prayer:''' ===
Thank God for His power to heal and forgive. Ask Him for faith like the friends of the paralytic, and for a heart that recognizes His authority in every area of life.
'''Memory Verse:'''
''“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”'' – Luke 5:31-32
Retrieved from "https://2ndbook.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/15348"

Navigation menu