- Ordination and Installation of Elders for the class of 2018 will be Sunday, January 10th during worship.
- This week the 11th through the 14th, Jim will be at Mo-Ranch for a Conference called Congregational Leadership in Polarizing Times.
- Presbyterian Women will meet Tuesday, January 12th at 9:45.
- Presbyterian Youth Fellowship will resume meeting Sunday, January 17th 5:30 to 7. Dinner will be provided.
- Kids for Christ will resume meeting Tuesday, January 26th 3:30 to 5.
- Our 1st Session meeting of the year will be Tuesday, January 19th.
Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. [2] And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. [3] And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. [4] And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. [5] And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven." [6] Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, [7] "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" [8] And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? [9] Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? [10] But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"—he said to the paralytic— [11] "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." [12] And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
Questions for Reflection
1. What motivated Jesus to respond to the paralytic man’s plight? (2:5)
2. Why did the Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy? (2:6-7)
3. How did Jesus respond to the thoughts of the Pharisees? (2:8-9)
4. How did Jesus show that He had authority to forgive sins? (2:9)
5. What did Jesus mean by “Son of Man”? (2:10)
6. Why do you think Jesus chose to forgive the man’s sins before healing him physically?
7. Which is it easier for us to do—forgive others or care for them when they’re sick?
8. How is God’s viewpoint different from ours regarding the forgiveness of sins?
9. What connection is there between a person’s faith and God’s working in his or her life?
