Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home!
Questions
How does forgiveness allow us to relate to others and God differently?
We all need healing of some kind. It may be physical, emotional, mental, or relational. Jesus told the paralyzed man to get up and walk; what phrase might he say to you for healing?
How might you prepare to encounter Jesus in a significant way?
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”‘
“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'”
Questions
Describe what you hope to gain or avoid from rebellion or obedience.
What things pull your heart away from God?
What things pull your heart toward God?
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
Today we will learn about, confession of sin. Even though it can feel really hard emotionally, it is simple and God welcomes us with open arms with his forgiveness.
Jon: Bradon, what do your childhood fear of the dark and our human sin nature have in common?
Bradon: Wow, way to bring up my childhood trauma! And I don’t know.
Jon: I’ll give you a hint, Jesus is often described as this.
Bradon: hmm, I still have no idea!
Jon: Well, you and the audience will have to keep listening to find out on the Bible Story Podcast
Bradon: This is the discussion episode for Confession of Sin
Jon: Ephesians tells us that bringing things to the light or exposing them to the light frees us from the darkness. This is known as, confession of sins. Knowing that Jesus is the light of the world we understand our need for Him to come and pay the debt for our sins.
Bradon: Why is it scary to be truthful about the things we have done wrong?
Jon: BIG Question. You may need to ask a parent or pastor this one! Talk about it with them. If we all sin, why is it important to step away from sin?Couldn’t we all just ignore those bad parts of the world? Especially if it isn’t harming anyone?
Bradon: What is an area you would want someone to hold you accountable in? What SMALL way do you wish to grow?
Growth Tip
Bradon: Our growth tip today seems WAY too simple. But it can be really hard.
Jon: We simply want you to ask someone to hold you accountable for something small. Something you wish to grow in.
Bradon: and then brainstorm together what that looks like, or what best fits your need.
Accountability helps us step into a place of vulnerability, which is always needed when speaking truthfully about our Sin.
Jon: Perhaps it’s a text message reminder each morning to read your bible, or asking a parent to ask you once a week how your relationship with God is.
Bradon: It is about giving permission for someone to ask you the hard questions around the area you want to grow! It can be scary but also REALLY fun.
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
