Community Group Questions: March 17th-23rd

March 18th, 2024
by Karissa Smith

Luke 5:12-26

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

12 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 13 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” 15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Questions:

Doctrine - How we Think

The leper said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” What does this reveal about the leper’s faith?
How does this passage illustrate the balance between adhering to religious laws and recognizing the deeper spiritual truths they point to? How can we know when a law is something to adhere to literally, and when it is pointing to a deeper truth?

Worship - How we Feel

Reflecting on the leper's approach to Jesus, how does his desperation and humility impact our understanding of worship?
Why do you think Jesus often withdrew to desolate places to pray (Luke 5:15-16)? Can you relate to this?

Application - What we Do

In what ways can we emulate the persistence, creativity, and sacrificial love demonstrated by the paralytic's friends in bringing others to Jesus for healing and forgiveness?
How does Jesus' interaction with the leper challenge us to reach out to those who are marginalized and ostracized by society? What does this look like (or what could it look like) in your life?