17 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!”
Luke 5:17-26
Q & A：
- What does it mean for you to “be of good cheer” and when you cheer someone? Discuss how we can cheer in the midst of trouble or tribulation with reference to the fact that Jesus sees us and that we will see Jesus as the victorious Lord. (John 16:20-22)
- Who do you turn to when you are in the moment of great distress? Discuss how we can rejoice in troubled times knowing that we have direct access to the Father, in the name of Jesus and to pray like Jesus prayed, approaching the throne boldly as the son to the Father. (John 16:23-24)
- Explain what it means to you as Jesus said that He has overcome the world and what is the basis of our victory and in saying that “We are more than conquerors” especially in times of trouble. How does the fact where Jesus said He would not be alone when His disciples deserted Him, help give you courage and cheer you up when you go into times of darkness feeling alone without friends or family around? (John 16:32-33; John 10:27-30; Rom 8:35-39)