Gospel of Mark Part 11: Jesus Heals Paralytic [Small Group Discussion]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Title: Faith That Brings Us to Jesus
Scripture Focus: Mark 2:1–12 – “And when He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. And being unable to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof over where He was; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the mat where the paralytic was lying. And Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’ But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, ‘Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven”; or to say, “Get up, and pick up your mat and walk”? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, get up, pick up your mat, and go to your home.’ And he got up and immediately picked up the mat and went out before everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this.’”
OPENING QUESTION
Have you ever had a friend—or been a friend—who went to extraordinary lengths to bring someone closer to Jesus?
BACKGROUND
In the early days of His ministry, Jesus’ fame spread quickly. People came from all over to see Him teach and to witness His miracles. In Capernaum, the crowd overflowed the house where Jesus was speaking. Four friends carried a paralyzed man to see Him, and when the crowd blocked the door, they took the extraordinary step of lowering him through the roof. What follows is not only a story of miraculous healing but also a powerful declaration of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins—the central mission of His ministry.
KEY POINTS
1. The Obvious Truth: Jesus Forgives and Heals
The Setting: Capernaum, the base of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. The house was packed with people eager to hear Him.
The Friends’ Determination: Unable to get through the door, they removed part of the roof to lower their friend directly in front of Jesus.
The First Priority: Jesus addressed the man’s greater need first—“Your sins are forgiven”—before healing his body.
The Confrontation: Scribes accused Him silently of blasphemy, but Jesus revealed He knew their hearts (1 Kings 8:39).
The Demonstration: To prove His authority to forgive sins, He healed the man on the spot, showing that both forgiveness and healing require divine power.
2. The Deeper Lesson: Surround Yourself with Believing Friends
The Value of Christian Fellowship: Scripture calls us to gather, encourage, and strengthen one another (Hebrews 10:24–25).
The Protection of the Flock: Like sheep, we are safer together under the Good Shepherd’s care. Isolation makes us vulnerable to the enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
The Power of Shared Faith: The friends’ collective faith achieved what the paralytic could not do alone (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Faith in Action: They refused to give up, persevering until their friend was at Jesus’ feet (James 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:58).
Our Call: Sometimes we are the friend who carries another to Jesus; other times we are the one who needs to be carried.
3. The Greater Mission of Jesus
His Primary Purpose: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).
Healing Is Temporary, Forgiveness Is Eternal: Physical restoration is good, but salvation is far greater (Matthew 5:29–30).
Our Focus: As His followers, our mission should align with His—proclaiming repentance and the gospel, not merely seeking physical blessings.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Why do you think Jesus forgave the paralytic’s sins before healing him?
How can you tell the difference between a friend who is simply supportive and one who actively helps bring you closer to Christ?
What does this story teach us about perseverance in ministry?
How does Jesus’ knowledge of the scribes’ thoughts confirm His divine identity?
In what ways can our focus on physical or material needs distract us from the greater mission of sharing the gospel?
APPLICATION
Faith is not merely believing; it is acting on that belief. The paralytic’s friends overcame obstacles to bring him to Jesus, just as we must overcome barriers to reach people with the gospel. Surround yourself with believers who will carry you when you cannot walk on your own—and be willing to carry others in their time of need. Keep your eyes on Christ’s greater mission: forgiveness and eternal life, not just temporary relief.
MEMORY VERSE
Luke 19:10 – For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
PRAYER FOCUS
Pray for the kind of faith that takes action—faith that brings others to Jesus at any cost. Ask God to help you recognize when you are called to carry a friend and when you need to humbly allow yourself to be carried.
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