Archive for January, 2012
February 5, 2012: Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed
The text for this lesson is Mark 2:1–12.
Key Point
- The miracle of healing the paralyzed man confirmed that Jesus, the Son of Man, has authority on earth to forgive sins and deliver all believers from death and the power of the devil.
- Law: In my sin, I desire all the wrong things, things that lead to my destruction, and I demand that God give them to me.
- Gospel: Christ knows what I need, and He bestows it—forgiveness, life, and salvation—without my even having to ask.
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/cphconnect.org/gicpodcast/12winter/20120205.mp3[/podcast
Discussion Points
- What are some things that you ask God for? Do you have confidence that He will grant these things? Why or why not?
- Look at Mark 10:1. What is Jesus’ custom? In verse 13, who are the ones bringing the children to Jesus? What are they trying to do by bringing the children to Jesus?
- Read Mark 1:32–34. How would you characterize Jesus’ ministry since He was baptized by John? Often the evangelists record Jesus out and about in the towns or countryside where the crowds can hear and access Him. Where is He in the passage we are studying today? Why would Jesus have stayed in the house with all the crowds trying to reach Him?
- What occurs in Mark 2:4–5? What does Jesus see prior to speaking to the paralytic? What does He say to the paralytic?
- What do the scribes say to themselves? What is wrong with their thoughts? What is right about their thoughts?
- What does Jesus do again in verse 8, similar to what He had done in verse 5? What do you think of His question in verse 9? Which is easier to say?
- Why does Jesus eventually heal the paralytic? See Luke 4:17–21. Does Jesus heal the paralytic only to show that he has authority to forgive sins?
- What is the role of miracles in the Bible? Why does it seem like the Bible is so full of miracles, but our lives are not?
- What does it mean to blaspheme God? Read Mark 3:22–29. Who was really doing the blaspheming in the passage of the healing of the paralytic? Does God forgive blasphemy?
January 29, 2012: Jesus and the Little Children
The text for this lesson is Mark 10:13–16.
Key Point
- Jesus came to us, who in our sin are helpless, dependent, and needy, to bestow His love and eternal gifts upon us.
- Law: In my sinful foolishness, I look for the things of this world to satisfy and save me. I prize self-sufficiency. I believe I can take care of myself.
- Gospel: God, in His love, knows that I am like a helpless child who can do nothing to save myself; in His love, He provides all that I need for this body and life, working salvation for me in His Son.
Discussion Points
- If you’ve spent much time around children, share your impressions of them. What are their personalities like? Can they be characterized any differently than adults? Would you say that children are “innocent”?
- Look at Mark 10:1. What is Jesus’ custom? In verse 13, who are the ones bringing the children to Jesus? What are they trying to do by bringing the children to Jesus?
- What is Jesus’ response when the disciples try to keep the children from coming to Him? In verse 14, what is the word Mark uses to describe Jesus’ attitude toward them?
- To whom does Jesus say belongs the kingdom of God? Read Mark 9:42. What would it mean to “hinder” someone from coming to the Kingdom?
- What exactly does it mean to receive the Kingdom as a little child?
- What is the kingdom of God? How do we receive this Kingdom today? What is the role of Baptism in receiving the Kingdom?
- What about the Rite of Confirmation? What is the purpose of this rite? What is the difference in someone before and after he or she is confirmed?
- What are some ways that we can help our children grow in the kingdom of God? Is there any kind of age requirement for these things?
January 22, 2012: Jesus Calls Matthew
The text for this lesson is Mark 2:13–17.
Key Point
- We sinners rejoice, for we, too, have been called from our own sin to dine at the table of the friend of sinners, Jesus.
- Law: If I say I have no sin, I deceive myself, and the truth is not in me.
- Gospel: Jesus is the friend of sinners, who says to me, “Fear not, I am faithful and just to forgive your sins and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.”
Discussion Points
- How do you show your friendship with others? What kinds of activities do you do together? Do you invite them over for meals? What do the Scriptures say Jesus does with His friends? When and how do we experience this?
- See Mark 4:35–41 and 1:16–18. Who is the ruler of the seas? What does Jesus do by the sea?
- What difference does Mark record between Jesus’ words to the crowd (compare Mark 1:15) and His words to Levi? How does this distinguish Levi from the crowd? What is the significance of this, considering Levi was a tax collector?
- Where is the next place that we see Jesus after calling Levi? What is He doing, and with whom?
- What is so surprising and offensive to the scribes? With whom would they expect Jesus to be eating? What does this expectation tell us about Jesus?
- Who are the ones who need Jesus, according to His words in Mark 2:17? Are there any that are righteous? Whom, then, does Jesus call?
- Who are Jesus’ disciples in this passage? How do we live as His disciples?
- What do we say in the Confession and Absolution in the Divine Service? How does this relate to being called by Jesus to be His disciple? Are there other opportunities for Confession and Absolution outside of the beginning of the Divine Service? Why would we want to take advantage of those opportunities?
January 15, 2011: Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
The text for this lesson is John 1:43–51.
Key Point
- In Jesus, access to heaven is given to all who believe.
- Law: If I believe in a false god, then I trust nothing more than one of the devil’s disguises, and what I get is hell. I futilely try to manipulate Jesus into being what I want, not what I need.
- Gospel: Jesus is the only true God, the Savior who provides what I need: rescue from sin, death, and the devil. He is the true Jacob’s ladder upon whom the angels will come down and escort me to my heavenly home.
Discussion Points
- Can you think of any mistaken understandings people have had of Jesus, either in the past or now in modern times? What about you? What were some ideas you used to have about Jesus that you have come to know were not right?
- Can you think of any mistaken understandings people have had of Jesus, either in the past or now in modern times? What about you? What were some ideas you used to have about Jesus that you have come to know were not right?
- Read verses 43–45 again. Who claims to have found whom? Who really found whom?
- John had called Jesus the “Son of God” and the “Lamb of God.” What does Philip say about Him? What does he mean that Moses and the prophets wrote about Him? Read Luke 24:26–27 and 24:44–47 to help answer the question.
- What is so surprising and offensive to the scribes? With whom would they expect Jesus to be eating? What does this expectation tell us about Jesus?
- Who are the ones who need Jesus, according to His words in Mark 2:17? Are there any that are righteous? Whom, then, does Jesus call?
- Who are Jesus’ disciples in this passage? How do we live as His disciples?
- What do we say in the Confession and Absolution in the Divine Service? How does this relate to being called by Jesus to be His disciple? Are there other opportunities for Confession and Absolution outside of the beginning of the Divine Service? Why would we want to take advantage of those opportunities?
January 8, 2011: The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus
The text for this lesson is Mark 1:1–13.
Key Point
- Jesus takes on our sin at His Baptism, facing our temptations that we, in turn, might be baptized into His goodness, His holiness, and His purity. In exchange for our sewer of sin, He gives us the fountain of life.
- Law: I must confess and repent of my sinful condition because I am a lawbreaker who fears, loves, and trusts things above God.
- Gospel: The baptized Jesus took down the devil for me by fearing, loving, and trusting His Father above all things.
Discussion Points
- We are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus is “without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Why is Jesus baptized?
- Although Mark mentions Isaiah, only the quote in verse 3 comes from this prophet (40:3). The part in verse 2 comes from Malachi 3:1. The prophet Malachi is known for his proclamation of the messenger who will prepare the way of the Lord. Based on that knowledge, why does Mark begin his Gospel this way, omitting the infancy narrative of Jesus and going straight to John the Baptist?
- What was the purpose of John’s Baptism? What were the people doing who came out to be baptized by him? What does it mean to repent and confess?
- Read 2 Kings 1:8. What is the significance of this garb and diet? See Malachi 4:5–6 and Matthew 17:10–14 for more.
- What is the significance of Mark 1:7?
- What does it mean that Jesus was driven into the wilderness immediately after His Baptism and tempted? What benefit and comfort does this provide us?
- Read Luke 12:50 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Does this give you more insight into why Jesus was baptized? What happens to us when we are baptized?
- What does it mean to “remember” our Baptism? How do sponsors help us with that, and how do we as sponsors help those who are baptized to remember their Baptisms?
