Opening question: What does the name "Jesus Christ" make you think of?
Read Mark 2:1-12
1 A few days later, Jesus entered Capernaum again. The people heard that he had come home. 2 So many people gathered that there was no room left. There was not even room outside the door. And Jesus preached the word to them. 3 Four of those who came were carrying a man who could not walk. 4 But they could not get him close to Jesus because of the crowd. So they made a hole in the roof above Jesus. Then they lowered the man through it on a mat. 5 Jesus saw their faith. So he said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Some teachers of the law were sitting there. They were thinking, 7 "Why is this fellow talking like that? He's saying a very evil thing! Only God can forgive sins!" 8 Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Is it easier to say to this man, 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus spoke to the man who could not walk. 11 "I tell you," he said, "get up. Take your mat and go home." 12 The man got up and took his mat. Then he walked away while everyone watched. All the people were amazed. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Discussion questions:
1. Make a list of all the different people in this story.
2. What were the teachers thinking, and how did Jesus know their thoughts?
3. What is the answer to Jesus’ question in verse 9?
4. How did the 4 men demonstrate their faith in Jesus?
5. How did Jesus help the man who could not walk?
6. What are some things we learn from this story?
Friday, March 25, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Stones
Opening question: Where to you look to find complete security?
Read John 10:22-33 out loud, and then again silently:
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 29 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 29 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Word list:
Festival of Dedication – a Jewish holiday celebrating the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians hundreds of years earlier.
Solomon’s Colonnade – an area outside the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
the Jews – the religious leaders of the nation of Israel 2000 years ago.
suspense – a period of waiting to find out about something; mental uncertainty.
Messiah – anointed one. Anoint means to put oil on, expressing a special blessing. In Jewish history, when a man became king they would pour oil on his head, symbolizing God’s blessing. “Messiah” is a Hebrew word, and Hebrew is the language of the Jews of Israel. In the Greek language, Messiah is translated “Christ”.
works (see verse 29) – miracles.
snatch – to grab or take away quickly.
Father – God.
blasphemy – speaking against God.
mere – being nothing more or nothing better than something else.
Discussion:
1. Retell what’s happening in this account of Jesus.
2. Why does Jesus call his followers “sheep”?
3. What does Jesus promise his followers?
4. What is the relationship between Jesus and God?
5. Why did the Jews get so angry at Jesus?
6. Do you believe Jesus was (and is) God? Explain.
Read John 10:22-33 out loud, and then again silently:
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 29 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 29 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” 31 Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 33 “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
Word list:
Festival of Dedication – a Jewish holiday celebrating the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians hundreds of years earlier.
Solomon’s Colonnade – an area outside the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
the Jews – the religious leaders of the nation of Israel 2000 years ago.
suspense – a period of waiting to find out about something; mental uncertainty.
Messiah – anointed one. Anoint means to put oil on, expressing a special blessing. In Jewish history, when a man became king they would pour oil on his head, symbolizing God’s blessing. “Messiah” is a Hebrew word, and Hebrew is the language of the Jews of Israel. In the Greek language, Messiah is translated “Christ”.
works (see verse 29) – miracles.
snatch – to grab or take away quickly.
Father – God.
blasphemy – speaking against God.
mere – being nothing more or nothing better than something else.
Discussion:
1. Retell what’s happening in this account of Jesus.
2. Why does Jesus call his followers “sheep”?
3. What does Jesus promise his followers?
4. What is the relationship between Jesus and God?
5. Why did the Jews get so angry at Jesus?
6. Do you believe Jesus was (and is) God? Explain.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Alive in Christ
Read Ephesians 2:1-10 together as a group. Then take a few minutes to read it again silently:
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil — the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Word list:
sins - the bad things we think, say or do OR the good things that we don’t think, say or do.
the devil - Satan, the evil being fighting against God and good.
inclinations - desires.
mercy - when you don’t get the punishment you deserve.
Christ - Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the word.
grace - when you get something you don’t deserve.
heavenly realms - the place where heaven is.
salvation - the process of being saved from God’s anger.
masterpiece - a beautiful work of art.
Discussion:
1. Make a list of words that sound:
Negative
Positive
2. What is our condition before we believe in Christ? And after?
3. What kind of deadness is verse 1 talking about?
4. Agree or disagree: If someone lives a good life on earth, they should be allowed to go to heaven.
5. What’s the difference between “gift” (see verse 8) and “reward” (see verse 9)?
6. What are some good things we can do after we become believers in Christ?
7. Why do we need to be “created anew” and how can that happen to us?
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil — the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Word list:
sins - the bad things we think, say or do OR the good things that we don’t think, say or do.
the devil - Satan, the evil being fighting against God and good.
inclinations - desires.
mercy - when you don’t get the punishment you deserve.
Christ - Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the word.
grace - when you get something you don’t deserve.
heavenly realms - the place where heaven is.
salvation - the process of being saved from God’s anger.
masterpiece - a beautiful work of art.
Discussion:
1. Make a list of words that sound:
Negative
Positive
2. What is our condition before we believe in Christ? And after?
3. What kind of deadness is verse 1 talking about?
4. Agree or disagree: If someone lives a good life on earth, they should be allowed to go to heaven.
5. What’s the difference between “gift” (see verse 8) and “reward” (see verse 9)?
6. What are some good things we can do after we become believers in Christ?
7. Why do we need to be “created anew” and how can that happen to us?
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