A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins… " He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
What must life have been like for the paralytic man?
How did this man benefit from being from having close friends to do life with?
Consider what kind of mat you have.
Who is part of your “Fellowship of the Mat”? If you are in a crisis, whom do you call at 3 am? Who prays for you on a regular basis? Who can drop in unannounced without any embarrassment? Who can you call to celebrate a victory in your life? To what extent are you a part of a “Fellowship of the Mat” these days?
After marriage your spouse becomes your primary "roof crasher". Are we taking each other to Jesus on a regular basis? How do we put Christ back on the throne of our life? How can we help our spouse do the same?
Whose faith did Christ respond to when he healed the paralytic?
Why does Mark say “When Jesus SAW their faith”?
What can we conclude? We must take each other to Christ in FAITH. KNOWING that He alone has the power and desire to free us from our “mat”.
For your spouse, write down as many character strengths as you can think of. These strengths of character are strengths that God will use to help you, help others, pass on to children, etc.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Now make a list of prayer needs or challenges that you currently face. (This is a private list and will not have to be shared with the group.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Before we pray for our spouse:
Prepare your heart to submit to God’s will. Do not try and impose your desires for your spouse on God but rather ask God to make known His desires for you and your spouse.
God knows our thoughts and needs but He responds to our prayers.
Prayer is seeking God’s presence and the release of His power.
Pray for God to get the Glory in helping you overcome difficult situations.
NOW TAKE TURNS PRAYING TOGETHER AS A COUPLE. START BY THANKING GOD FOR YOUR SPOUSE, THANK HIM SPECIFICALLY FOR THE STRENGTHS THAT WERE GIFTED TO YOUR SPOUSE. NEXT, TRADE PAPERS AND PRAY FOR THE REQUESTS OF YOUR SPOUSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHERS STRUGGLES. REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE "ROOF CRASHER" FOR YOUR SPOUSE.
Conclusion:
Isaiah 49:15 (New International Reader’s Version)
The Lord answers, "Can a mother forget the baby who is nursing at her breast? Can she stop showing her tender love to the child who was born to her? She might forget her child. But I will not forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
Prepare your heart to submit to God’s will. Do not try and impose your desires for your spouse on God but rather ask God to make known His desires for you and your spouse.
God knows our thoughts and needs but He responds to our prayers.
Prayer is seeking God’s presence and the release of His power.
Pray for God to get the Glory in helping you overcome difficult situations.
NOW TAKE TURNS PRAYING TOGETHER AS A COUPLE. START BY THANKING GOD FOR YOUR SPOUSE, THANK HIM SPECIFICALLY FOR THE STRENGTHS THAT WERE GIFTED TO YOUR SPOUSE. NEXT, TRADE PAPERS AND PRAY FOR THE REQUESTS OF YOUR SPOUSE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PRAY FOR EACH OTHERS STRUGGLES. REMEMBER, YOU ARE THE "ROOF CRASHER" FOR YOUR SPOUSE.
Conclusion:
Isaiah 49:15 (New International Reader’s Version)
The Lord answers, "Can a mother forget the baby who is nursing at her breast? Can she stop showing her tender love to the child who was born to her? She might forget her child. But I will not forget you. I have written your name on the palms of my hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment