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Mark 'n Plan!
This story from Mark Chapter 2 about people who are willing to 'maak 'n plan' to get their friend into the presence of Jesus.
This week, take time to read Mark Chapter 2. There will be time in space in Life Groups to read and dig in more around the table over dinner.
Have you ever experienced a time when you couldn't get to where you needed to be on your own and needed someone's help?
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat, and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat, and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12 (NIV)
Which part of this story did you like best?
Where might you find yourself if you think about all the people in the story?
The Crowd: All kinds of needs, full of curiosity but also an accessibility barrier
There for themselves, not yet mobilized on mission
No compassion in a crowd!
Is there an area in your life where you might be like the crowd?
attitude/ego?
body language?
self-centered?
dissonance?
What would it look like for you to get out of the way so that people can see Jesus?
The Critics: The teachers of the law, sitting...!
Critical Spirit "Thinking to themselves"... superior
A religious mindset says - "God owes me"
Is there an area in your life where you might be like the critics?
What would it look like to be less critical, less religious?
The Carriers: the 4 men - Mark 'n plan!
Determined, Creative, Resourceful, Faith-Filled, Risk Takers
What could you do with what you have to help people get to Jesus? You’re the plan A for someone!
Serve on the Dream Team?
Open your home?
Fetch people and bring them to church?
Carry them in prayer?
Persevere?
Inconvenience yourself for the sake of others?
The Constrained: the man on the mat
Helpless and hopeless alone, but moved to the feet of Jesus by others
He must have been so glad that they didn’t give up and think "This is too much effort"
Jesus meets the deepest need -
Your sin is forgiven
The physical healing was secondary
Carried in, Called Son, Sins forgiven, Walks out free
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
The best decision you can make, for yourself and everyone in your life, is to follow Jesus.
Maybe there is something that you need to say to Jesus today:
I haven't been living for you. But from today, that changes.
There are some things I need to confess.
Today I'm repenting.
I want to receive your forgiveness of my sin
I am moving from crowd to carrier
LIFE GROUP GUIDE
Like last week, set aside time to break bread at the table.
As we break bread; our dining tables become sacred spaces of celebration and remembrance of our hope in Jesus. In order to facilitate a deeper conversation with your group members, consider using the SOAP.
Use the SOAP framework on Mark Chapter 2
Scripture - Read the chapter of scripture out loud (you can share the reading, a few verses each)
Observation - Have each person share an observation; something in the Scripture that stands out to them
Application - Discuss how you can apply what has been shared in your own life
Prayer - Pray with your group about what you have learned or how you can apply what you have learned in your life
Additional questions to discuss
Have you been able to slow down since last week?
What one thing can you do to "Mark 'n plan" and use your resources to get people to Jesus?
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