Tag: demoniac

Categories
Five

Believe in Him or Not

The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FL

Week 62 | Sections 68, 69

The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FLFrom one house to another and then into his home town, Jesus continues to heal, teach and inspire people with the Gospel. Over and over people’s encounter with Jesus teaches us that faith can: set us free, move mountains, raise the dead, heal the sick, and allow us to more than we can ask or imagine   – but what is to come from a lack of faith?  What is the cost of unbelief?

Scripture:

Section 68 | Matthew 9:27-34
27 As Jesus passed by from there,1 two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!”2  28 When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”They told him, “Yes, Lord.”3  29 Then he touched their eyes, saying,“According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 Their eyes were opened.4 Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.5  32 As they went out,6 behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him.7¯8  33 When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”9  34 But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”10

Section 69 
[one_half last=”no”]Matthew 13:54-58
54 Coming into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom, and these mighty works?

 

55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers, James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? 56 Aren’t all of his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all of these things?” 57 They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house.” 58 He didn’t do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Mark 6:1-6a
1 He went out from there. He came into his own country,11 and his disciples followed him. 2 When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judah, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They were offended at him.12 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house.”13¯14 5 He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people, and healed them. 6a He marveled15 because of their unbelief. [/one_half]

Group Dialog:

  1. What is the difference between faith, belief, and understanding?
  2. When considering what God has done in your life, for what are you most thankful, and how have you expressed that in your life and ministry?
  3. For which Christian topics would you say you have faith but not understanding?
  4. Are there experiences, issues or problems that undermine your faith?
  5. Should one’s character or moral failings interrupt our faith in God?
  6. What hope does Mark 9:23-24 offer those who doubt and question Jesus’ identity, teachings, and ability to perform miracles?
  7. In our exhaustion, how do you find energy and joy to continue in ministry to others?
  8. What should our reaction be to the godly-results seen in the ministry of others?
  9. If you are experiencing success in ministry, how do you avoid vanity, pride, self-importance and other sins that detract from God’s work among you?
  10. God does not promise every member of your family will believe because you do. In fact Jesus said that some families will divide over him (Matthew 10:34-39). What are we to do when those we love do not yet believe?

Learning Objectives: faith, doubt, prayer of faith, healing, diligence, investment of time, witness, prayer, prophet, welcome, when to move on

Photo: The Pinewood Estate at Bok Tower Gardens, FL

Study Notes:

Categories
Three

Power and Authority

Power and Authority

Week 28 | Section 42

Power and AuthorityJesus has gone to the Synagogue on the Sabbath but there encounters a demoniac. Astounding those present, he sets the demoniac free and word of Jesus’ authority spread throughout the region. The Good News is not limited to our salvation but our daily experience of God’s grace and power in our lives as we live Christ.

Scripture:

[one_half last=”no”]Mark 1:21-28
21 They went into Capernaum,1 and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue2 and taught.3¯4 22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes.5    23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit,6 and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us?7 I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” 25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”8 26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.9 [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Luke 4:31b-37
31b He was teaching them on the Sabbath day, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.10 33 In the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying, “Ah! what have we to do with you,11   Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”12 35 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down in the middle of them, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 Amazement came on all, and they spoke together, one with another, saying, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” 37 News about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.[/one_half]

Group Dialog:

  1. What kind of authority does Jesus have in the synagogue? In his teaching? And over evil spirits? How should this truth influence our daily lives?
  2. What is the source of (Jesus’/ of our) truth, authority, and power?
  3. What spiritual struggles do you face? How can Christ’s authority, truth, and power help you overcome these things?
  4. What is our role in relationship to the authority of Christ in our lives? In regards to truth at work within us? And in regards to the ministry to which we have been called?

Learning Objectives:

Jesus is all powerful, Jesus is Holy, Jesus is the Messiah,  submission, free will, Jesus is the source of truth, our authority in ministry comes from Christ and our association in him.

Image: The Old Veteran – The Old Veteran Cypress resides on the North Shore Trail of the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Naturalists at Point Lobos estimate the Old Veteran has already exceeded the 300 year lifespan of most Cupressus macrocarpa but he still rests through the fog, and rain, despite the eroding cliff from the waves crashing below.

Study Notes: