Mark 7:31-37 (ESV)

31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Intro: When have you felt isolated? This is Gentile territory …

THE VALUE OF WORDS GIVEN & RECEIVED
Why do hearing and speech matter so much?

ISOLATED & SILENT
What happens by way of deafness and an inability to speak?

EARS TO HEAR & A HEART TO SPEAK
Why is it significant that Jesus works for our healing?

YOU CAN PRAY WITH US …
1 - Worship the LORD, God Almighty for how He speaks and hears. Praise Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that He has both made Himself known (by His Word) and hears you (by prayer).

2 - How have you taken the gift of words for granted, especially hardened or deaf to all that God has said? Confess your pride and unbelief to Jesus, asking Him to forgive you and give you ears (and a heart) to hear Him.

3 - Give thanks to Jesus that to save us, as He took our place of guilt on the Cross, He was willing to cry out yet not be heard. Thank Him for being cast out in our place so that we could be brought into God’s family.

4 - Who do you know that is isolated, especially by how they have chosen to live? Pray for them, asking the Lord to move toward them the way He moved toward the deaf man in this story.

5 - Ask the Holy Spirit to help you cherish every Word God has given you and express your heart freely to Him in prayer. Pray for the Spirit’s help in reading God’s Word every day, and praying eagerly all through the day.