Luke 5:17-26 (NKJV)
Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today!”
CG Discussion Points
- What does Jesus’ response to the paralyzed man on comparing “Your sins are forgiven” to “Rise up and walk” reveal about the heart of God when it comes to the real needs of men? How would you respond as Jesus told the disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few especially when Jesus sought after you when you were lost? (Luke 5:17-26; Luke 19:20; Matthew 9:36-38)
- Discuss the importance of having faith-filled friends around versus going through struggles in life alone by comparing the outcome of the 2 paralyzed men in the 2 passages. How are Two better than One during the “storm” from your experiences? (Luke 5:17-20; John 5:7; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 18:19-20)
- How is faith demonstrated by the paralyzed man and the 4 friends who carried him to see Jesus amidst the challenges presented? What gives substance to your faith? What can you do to be the faith-filled friend to journey with the people in needs? (Luke 5:20; Hebrews 11:1,6; Luke 5:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:7)