Encounters, Part 2: I’ll Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

Mark 2:1-12
¹ A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
     ⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
     ⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Be careful what you think because your thoughts become your words.
Be careful what you say because your words become your actions.
Be careful what you do because what you do becomes your habits.
Be careful what you make a habit because what you make a habit defines your character, and your character determines your destiny.
OLD PROVERB

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Jesus’ instructions:

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever had someone bring you closer to Jesus? What did they do, and how did it impact you?
2. How can we be more intentional about “carrying others” to Jesus in our daily lives? What does this story teach us about how to be good friends?
3. Why do you think Jesus addressed the man’s sins before healing his body?
4. What “mats” in your life are you still carrying with you, and how do they remind you of God’s grace?
5. What practical steps can you take this week to help someone encounter Jesus?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?