Grow Together in a Group

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus.
19 When 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.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
21 The 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?”
22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”
25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.” —Luke 5:17-26

Read Luke 5:17-26. Reflect on the passage using the character experience method. In the character experience method, you picture what is happening in the story from the perspective of one of the characters in the passage. It works well if you read the passage, then write a journal entry based on what you (the character in the passage) just experienced. How did you feel? What are you seeing? What is your response? What is going through your mind as the events unfold? How is your life impacted? etc.

Journal your responses to these questions.

What do you need from other followers of Christ to help you grow spiritually?

What do other followers of Christ need from you to grow spiritually?

Are you intentionally connecting with others for the sake of mutual spiritual growth? If yes, what does it look like? If not, what is keeping you from making it a priority?”

Connect to a Grace Group at graceforohio.org/next-steps/groups-2. When the Group leader reaches out to you, have your question ready to ask.

Save your notes by emailing a copy to yourself using the blue email button below.