CONNECT: How does Jesus’ authority shape the way that you live?

WARM-UP

1. Is forgiveness a controversial topic in our culture today? Why or why not?
2. Why do you think some people see forgiveness as a sign of weakness or as incompatible with justice?

READ Mark 2:1-5

1. Why had everyone gathered at the house? What had the paralysed man and friends come to Jesus for? Do you think they would have been bewildered or confronted by what happens?
2. Whilst the man had a need for physical healing, how was forgiveness actually an even deeper need?
3. What’s the difference between forgiveness and ignoring sin? Why is this an important distinction?
4. Read Micah 7:19 and Psalm 103:12. Does this understanding of forgiveness excite you?
5. Why are we all in need of forgiveness? Do you find this easy or difficult to accept?
6. Why do you think that some people have a great deal of trouble accepting God’s forgiveness?

READ Mark 2:6-12

1. How is it evident in this passage that Jesus asserts the authority to forgive sins? Why is this so radical in the context of the passage? (Think about why the priests who were present were so upset with Jesus.)
2. What is so significant about Jesus’ identification as the ‘Son of Man’? (see Daniel 7:13-14)
3. How do you think the priests felt when Jesus responded to what was going on in their hearts?
4. In what way did the priests recognise the significance of Jesus’ claim? What did they fail to see?
5. How does Jesus make forgiveness possible? How did the friends demonstrate faith in Jesus?
6. In your own words, describe what real forgiveness is and why it can never be separated from Jesus. Why is it so costly (including when we forgive others)?
7. What type of freedom does our forgiveness give us?
8. How can our living out of forgiveness point to Jesus and the Kingdom of God?
9. Do you have an example of being forgiven that you would like to share with the group?
10. How can we receive the forgiveness of Jesus?

APPLY:  Is there anything for which you need to ask God’s forgiveness?  How can you demonstrate God’s forgiveness on your frontlines this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: What is the deepest need for your frontline at the moment? In what specific ways is the Kingdom of God good news for your frontline?

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen and Watch:          

• AUDIO: “Forgiveness of Sins” series by Dick Lucas
• AUDIO” “Authority to Forgive Sins” by Christopher Ash
• AUDIO: The Bible Project Podcast on “Who can forgive sins?”

Read:

• ARTICLES: Stories of Forgiveness from “The Forgiveness Project”
• BOOK: “Exclusion and Embrace’ by Miroslav Volf:

Series Resources:

• RESOURCES: The Gospel of Mark (Video Overviews and More)
• RESOURCES: Gospel Coalition Mark Courses
• VIDEO: The Bible Project Mark Overview
• VIDEO/AUDIO: iTunes U, Introduction to the Gospel of Mark
• VIDEO: Training on the Purpose of Mark

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