by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
Wednesday Night Class 10.9.24 @ 6pm The River Church 520 Dublin Hwy Eastman, GA
This week, our lesson focuses on the incredible miracle found in Mark 2:1-12, where Jesus heals the paralytic man lowered through the roof by his friends. This story is packed with profound lessons about faith, the power of being in God’s presence, and the healing that comes from surrendering ourselves to Him. But we’re also bringing this story to life by incorporating a visual element from The Chosen series!
Incorporating The Chosen 🎥
For this week’s lesson, we will be watching a scene from The Chosen, which beautifully portrays the moment the paralytic is brought to Jesus. The Chosen is a fresh and engaging take on the life of Jesus, and this particular scene allows us to see the story through the eyes of the crowd, the friends, and the man who is healed.
How This Scene Adds Depth:
- Faith and Determination: The Chosen highlights the emotional tension and faith-driven determination of the friends who refuse to give up, even when the crowds block their way.
- Jesus’ Compassion: Watching how Jesus interacts with the man and the crowd brings a new layer of empathy and understanding, allowing us to visualize the love and compassion He had for the paralytic.
Discussion Focus:
After viewing the scene, we’ll discuss how The Chosen brings these events to life and how it helps us reflect on the idea of being in Jesus’ presence. How does seeing this visually impact our understanding of the power of faith and healing?
Here is the link to the scene that we will focus on this week. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlBOmQ1PaMY)
Faith in Action: Overcoming Obstacles đź’ˇ
In this story, we see the determination of the paralytic’s friends. When they couldn’t get through the crowded doorway, they made the bold decision to lower their friend down through the roof! Their faith wasn’t passive; it was active and determined. They believed so strongly in Jesus’ power that they did whatever it took to get their friend into His presence.
How often do we allow obstacles to keep us from getting closer to God? Just like these friends, we need to put our faith into action and find ways to get past the challenges that hold us back from His presence. This also challenges us to reflect on how we can help others reach Jesus. Are we willing to carry our friends in prayer and faith when they feel “paralyzed” by life’s struggles?
Sitting in His Presence 🌿
Once the paralytic was in Jesus’ presence, he didn’t need to say or do anything. He just sat there, and Jesus saw his need. This is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simply be still in front of God.
In today’s world, we often feel pressure to do more or say more. But being in God’s presence doesn’t require constant action. There’s profound peace and healing in simply resting and allowing God to work in our hearts. Are we making space in our busy lives to sit in His presence and receive that peace?
Healing on Multiple Levels đź’–
When Jesus healed the paralytic man, He first addressed the man’s spiritual needs. Before telling him to get up and walk, Jesus said, “Son, your sins are forgiven”. This moment highlights that spiritual healing is just as important—if not more important—than physical healing. Jesus didn’t just see the man’s physical paralysis; He saw the deeper spiritual wounds that needed healing.
When we come into Jesus’ presence, He meets us at our deepest needs—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is a powerful reminder that Jesus is always ready to heal and restore us, even in the places we may not fully recognize.
Applying the Lesson:
- Bringing Our Own Burdens:
Just as the paralytic’s friends carried him to Jesus, we can bring our burdens to God. This week, think about the areas in your life where you feel “paralyzed”—whether it’s by fear, guilt, or anxiety—and symbolically “lower” them before Jesus in prayer. Trust that sitting in His presence will bring the healing and peace you need. - Being a Friend of Faith:
Challenge yourself to be like the friends in this story. Who in your life needs to be brought to Jesus? Pray for those around you and consider how you can support them by bringing their needs before God.
Join Us for the Lesson đź“…
We’ll be exploring this story further in our Wednesday session, focusing on what it means to sit in God’s presence and let His healing work in our lives. Together, we’ll reflect on how to strengthen our faith and support one another as we seek God’s presence. We hope you can join us for this impactful lesson!
Hashtags:
- #FaithInAction
- #SittingInHisPresence
- #JesusHealing
- #SpiritualRestoration
- #Mark2
- #MiraclesOfJesus
- #TrustInGod
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