[1]NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12
Discussion Questions:
— If someone who knew nothing about Christianity asked you to define “faith,” what would you say?
— What has Christ done recently that causes you to be astounded and give Him glory?
[2]— When is it difficult for you to receive the forgiveness Jesus has the authority to give you?
Food for Thought:
Many of us know people we want to experience and know the love of Christ. Some reject Him and some just haven’t had the opportunity to know Him in faith. As believers, we continue to pray and share the love of Christ through words and deeds.
In Mark 2:1-5, four friends through faith helped their paralytic friend come to Jesus, knowing he needed to find Him. When they first came to where Jesus was teaching, it was so crowded they couldn’t even get into the door. But someone in the group had a plan. Maybe all of them did.
They went to the roof, which for that time was probably made of thatch, clay and branches, and “removed the roof above” Jesus. “And after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying” (v.4). These four friends knew their paralytic friend needed to see Jesus and they exerted a ton of effort to make sure it happened, going above and beyond.
Jesus saw their effort and the faith behind the effort. “Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven’” (v. 5). Jesus saw the paralytic man’s need for forgiveness and granted it. He saw the faith of the four friends and knew they desired their sick friend to find Jesus. Perhaps they didn’t even know what Jesus could do, but their faith told them He would do something.
[3]In contrast to the faith of the paralytics’ friends, the scribes in the crowd rejected Jesus. In their hearts, the scribes considered Jesus a blasphemer, knowing that only God forgives sin. Jesus saw their questioning hearts and in response told the paralytic to “get up, take your mat, and go home” (v. 11). And he did.
Jesus was making a declaration that He is God. He can forgive and He can heal, despite the doubts of the scribes. The overall results? A man was healed. A crowd was astounded and gave glory to God. The faith of the four friends grew, and the scribes’ doubts were refuted.
Jesus is who He says He is, and His purpose was and still is to seek and save the lost. He forgives sin and He heals the broken. As believers, our hearts are aligned with Christ’s heart.
Like the four friends, may we long to bring others to Jesus Christ that they may know Him, love Him, and trust Him for the glory of God.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject [4].
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by Lifeway can be found at Lifeway.com/SundaySchool [5].
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