Better than either bypass surgery or angioplasty

Luke 14: 1 – 6

What is the most glamorous or prestigious party to which you have been invited?

Imagine you were also invited over to this meal. Describe the entire setting. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, feel?

Why does a VIP religious leader invite Jesus over to his house for table fellowship?

Why does Jesus accept this obvious invitation to a trap?

What do you do to be open to relationships even with those who seem hardened in tradition?

Dropsy was an inflammation of the tissues of the body based on a deeper internal medical condition. How would it feel to be in need of bypass surgery in a culture without modern medicine?

Why might this man be conveniently positioned before Jesus on a Sabbath?

Why does Jesus inquire of the religious leaders as to what their opinion is in the situation?

Why does Jesus step right into their trap and heal the guy in front of them on the Sabbath?

How would you describe the explanation that Jesus gives to the religious leaders?

Why do the religious leaders remain silent throughout the text?

When have been sometimes you have cared more about having things your own way than helping other people?

What are some super-biblical traditions that you tend to hold to more tightly than the biblical injunction to love?

How should we best challenge those who are caught up in traditionalism and legalism?

How can we sweep false perspectives out of our minds, hearts and lives?

Saturday morning chiropractics

Luke 13: 10 – 17

Describe what you do on a standard day off or holiday.

What does it show us about Jesus that he was in the synagogue teaching on the Sabbath?

What was the root cause of this woman’s physical problems?

If you are the woman in the synagogue that morning, what might be occupying your prayers?

Why does Jesus take the initiative to heal her right in the middle of one of his sermons?

What is a worldly difficulty that you are facing which may have roots in a spiritual stronghold?

How does a person go about gaining victory and freedom from a spiritual stronghold?

Describe the religious leader’s reaction to Jesus healing of the woman on the Sabbath.

Why might the leader of the worship center through such a fit concerning Jesus’ healing on the holy day?

What are some traditional perspectives you cling to in your life that are counter the Kingdom’s vision?

How do we go about changing these perspectives in our lives?

How does Jesus go about challenging the religious leader’s perspective?

How would you describe Jesus attitude in his response?

Trace Jesus’ logic as to why it is acceptable to heal this woman on the Sabbath. What makes his argument so persuasive?

Why is Jesus so blunt and harsh in how he responds to this religious leader?

How should we challenge those whose tradition hampers their impact for the Kingdom?

How can you tell when a tradition is one that needs to be challenged or should be respected?

What does the fact that the leaders were humiliated and the people were delighted tell us about their community?

Increasing your eye prescription

Mark 8:22 – 26

Show a picture of a highly magnified object. Have people guess what it is. Zoom out some and ask them to guess again. After revealing the image ask what made them think the image was whatever else they had guessed. (Repeat)

Why is Jesus’ popularity so far reaching that the people know to bring the blind man to Jesus?

Why does Jesus lead the guy out of the village to experience healing?

Compare and contrast Jesus healing action in this passage with others he has used in previous passages.

Why does Jesus use these various approaches in healing his patients?

When you think of the people you serve in life, what are some less obvious needs you could help to meet?

How are you going to go about meeting those needs this week?

What is a deep, non-obvious need that you have in your life which you need Jesus to meet tonight?

How would you have felt as the blind man after Jesus’ first attempt at this miracle?

Why does it take a second attempt for this man to experience complete healing?

Compare this passage with the immediate context. How is this man’s experience similar to others?

When has been a time you have only received what seemed to be half of an answer to prayer?

What are some ways that your discipleship and understanding are severely limited?

What needs to change in your life and outlook to experience all that Jesus desires to do in your life?

Ridiculously inexpensive prescription medicine

Mark 7: 31 – 37

What is the most unusual medical procedure you have ever heard of or experienced?

Describe Jesus’ travel itinerary. Why would Jesus be spending so much time in predominantly Gentile areas?

What are some parts of the neighborhood or city that people often avoid?

How can you effectively minister in those places while maintaining safe and healthy boundaries?

Why might this crowd decide to escort this guy to Jesus for help?

What challenges would a man in this condition face in the culture of the ancient world?

How would you describe the process that Jesus uses to heal this man from his condition?

If you were this guy, how would you be feeling about Jesus giving you a wet-willie? Why does Jesus heal him like this?

What can you do to make your service towards others more relational and personal?

How would this guys’ life change based on the healing that Jesus brings him?

Why does Mark go into such great detail describing the miracle and the reaction to the miracle?

What is the general public reaction to Jesus’ miraculous act?

Why does Jesus insist that the crowd not inform the media about the miracle?

Why do they keep proclaiming this publicly in spite of the warning?

Why do we tend to keep what Jesus has done for us quiet even though we have been commanded to speak?

What has Jesus done in your life lately that should be broadcast?

What will you do this week to announce what Jesus has done for you?

What does Jesus’ accomplishment of this miracle show us about his character?