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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. Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 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. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 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.” Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 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 (NKJV)
CG Discussion Questions:
1. Describe some of the significant times in your life when friends encouraged and lifted you up. Describe the importance of being in a small group or having a small circle of friends, and the ways you have found encouragement through one another.
(Luke 5:17-26; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 18:19-20)
Please go through the book “UP” Chapter 5 (You’ve Got to Have Friends) group discussion questions.
2. Describe a time in your life when your encouragement lifted up another. What did you do to encourage this person? Describe the challenge of encouraging and lifting up those who are discouraged and depressed. How do you handle it when they do not respond immediately? What have you learned about being patient and consistent?
(2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Ephesians 4:29-32)
Please go through the book “UP” Chapter 6 (Lift Up the Down) group discussion questions.