GSCC Small Group 07-06-07

Matthew 5:17-26

17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"

22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, "Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

Group discussion: Think back when you first learned about Jesus. What did you think he was like?

Read Matthew 5:17-26

Questions:

1. Try to imagine the scene. As the paralyzed man is lowered through the roof, how do you think each of the main characters feel? (the sick man, his friends, the crowd, the Pharisees and teachers, v17-19)

2. How does Jesus surprise everyone in dealing with the sick man? (v20)

3. What does this tell us about Jesus and how he sees our needs?

4. The teachers criticized Jesus for promising forgiveness, since only God has the authority (v21). What is Jesus’ response meant to show (v22-26)?

5. What answer does Jesus look for in v23? Can we see in our eyes that a person’s sins are forgiven?