The Healing of the Paralytic – Mark 2:1-12

In what way is sin like paralysis?

Bible Reading

Mark 2:1-12

1  And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.

2  Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.

3  Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

4  And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

5  When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

6  And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,

7  “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8  But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?

9  “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?

10  “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”– He said to the paralytic,

11  “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go your way to your house.”

12  Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

(NKJ)

 

Food for Thought

1.   What would you think of a person who claims to be something he or she is not?

2.   What do you think would be most difficult about being paralysed?

3.   If in a crisis, even at 3 am, which friend of yours would call you and why?

 

Bible Study

4.   What dilemma did the paralytic and his friends face? (2:2-4)

5.   How did the paralytic’s friends solve the dilemma they faced? (2:4)

6.   How did Jesus evaluate the faith of the paralytic and his friends? (2:5)

7.   What motivated Jesus to respond to the paralytic man’s plight? (2:5)

8.   Why did the Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy? (2:6-7)

9.   How did Jesus respond to the thoughts of the Pharisees? (2:8-9)

10. How did Jesus show that he had the authority to forgive sins? (2:9)

11. What did Jesus mean by “Son of Man?” (2:10)

12. Why did Jesus heal the paralytic man? (2:10-12)

 

Kingdom Dynamics

13. What do you think it takes to be a true friend?

14. How do you need to change in order to receive more support from friends?

15. Which friend of yours would you take to Jesus today and why?

16. How would you have felt if the house whose roof was removed was yours?

17. Why do you think Jesus chose to forgive the man’s sins before healing him physically?

18. Why did a young man like Jesus refer to the paralytic as “son?”

19. In what way is sin like paralysis?

20. Which is easier: to forgive others or to care for them when they are sick?

21. How is God’s viewpoint different from ours regarding the forgiveness of sins?

22. What connection is there between a person’s faith and God working in his or her life?

23. What does God require or not require in order to forgive us of our sins?

24. How would you compare Jesus’ response in this story to the attitude of the Pharisees?

25. What does this story tell you is the difference between true spirituality and counterfeit spirituality?

26. What is one paralysis in your life from which you want Jesus to release you?

27. What problems, needs or weaknesses in your life are there that God can use?

 

Practical Christianity

28. What specific steps can you take this week to show faith in Christ?

29. How could you go out of your way to help a friend who is experiencing pain or suffering?

30. What area of you life would you want Jesus to heal today?