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 Explore the Bible curriculum.
Bible Passages: Matthew 8:1-4, 14-17; 9:1-8
Discussion Questions:
- Who are the outcasts in our society and what are some typical reactions to them?
- In what ways can we show that we value the most vulnerable members of society?
- What are some ways we can point people to Jesus and the salvation He offers?
Food for thought:
You might think it unnecessary to ask the question, “Does God care for everyone?” Yes, absolutely, would be most people’s answer. God cares for and values every person regardless of age, nationality, ethnicity or social status. Since that is so, a corollary question must be asked: “Should followers of Jesus care about and value every person?” The answer is yes, but what should that look like?
Jesus had concluded His Sermon on the Mount and had traveled down the mountain. A man with leprosy approached Him saying “Lord, if you are willing You can make me clean” (v. 2). Jesus touched the man and his leprosy was immediately cleansed.
By touching the man, Jesus became ritually unclean. But Jesus cared more about affirming the dignity and value of a man society considered an outcast. Next, He instructed the man not to tell anyone, but rather to go to the priest who would declare him clean.
Jesus later went to Peter’s home where Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus touched the woman, just as He’d touched the leper. Since women were also not highly valued in the culture, this also would have violated some social and religious conventions of the day. Still, like the leper, she was healed immediately. She was well enough to rise and serve Jesus.
Others brought those who were demon-possessed to Jesus, who drove out the spirits with a word. Jesus demonstrated authority over the supernatural and the physical as He ministered to those who were hurting. Jesus’ healing ministry was a fulfillment of messianic prophecy (see Isaiah 53:4). But He came not only to heal our physical ailments but to save us from sin (Matthew 1:21).
In another example, Jesus got into a boat and crossed the Sea of Galilee to reach Capernaum. Some men brought to Jesus a paralytic lying on a stretcher. “Seeing their faith,” Jesus rewarded their efforts, but He started by addressing the man’s spiritual needs: “Your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).
To the religious leaders, such an action was blasphemy. Only God could forgive sins. They were convinced Jesus was usurping a function that belonged only to God. In response, Jesus asked if it was easier to forgive sins (which cannot be seen) or to heal a paralyzed man (which would be apparent to all). To prove His authority to forgive sin, Jesus commanded the paralytic to rise and walk. The man did exactly as Jesus commanded, proving Jesus’ authority and power. The onlookers were “awestruck” (v. 8) and gave glory to God for what Jesus had done.
Jesus values every person. As Christians, we’re called to value those whom some consider to be outcasts. We’re to value all people at all stages in life.
Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/ExploreTheBible.
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