Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Mark 5 - People Beyond the Reach of Human Effort

This Thursday, December 13, we will be discussing Mark 5, a very dramatic and important chapter that gives an account of the several miraculous healings. We hope you will join us at 700 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park (behind Ace Hardware) at 7 pm. Read through the passages before you come and consider the discussion questions below. Also, if you click on Thursday night Homework on this blog, you can print out the Daily Page sheet that we are using for discussion. Looking forward to seeing you all Thursday evening!

Discussion #1 – Mark 5:1-20 – The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Man

  1. Because of the demonic control, the man was completely beyond the reach of human confinement or help. Who spoke to Jesus, the man or the demons that controlled him? What was their response when they saw Jesus, and their attitude throughout their conversation with him? What does this say about Jesus’ power versus human abilities and how does this help you respond to impossible situations in your own life?
  1. On learning of the incident with the man and the pigs, the people of the region asked Jesus to leave. Why? What were the attitudes of the people in asking him to go? Can you think of a time in your own life when you knew for certain that Jesus was working but because of the cost to you, you wanted Him to stop?


Discussion #2 – Mark 5:21-43 – A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

  1. In both stories, what was the common factor that led to the two females being healed?
  1. Knowing all things, Jesus had to know which person touched him and was healed. Why would Jesus want the woman who was healed from her suffering to publicly admit it?
  1. In the story of the girl, why would Jesus not want Jarius’ household to tell of his daughter’s being brought back to life? Based on these two stories, what can a Christian learn about suffering and death?