This Week:

Sins Forgiven

Pastor Brian McGuffin

April 21, 2024

 

Introduction

 

When did you become a Christian? What led you to make that decision?

 

Scripture

Matthew 9: 1 – 8  NIV

“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 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, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”

 

You might want to read the other 2 descriptions of this miracle.

The story is also told in Mark 2: 1 – 12 and Luke 5: 17 – 26. In both those accounts more details are added. There were 4 friends who brought the paralytic to Jesus; they climbed on the roof of the house, took some roof tiles off, and let the man down into the house in front of Jesus.

Have you, or someone you know, ever made an effort like these men did to “bring someone to Jesus”? If so, what was the result?

 

Discussion Questions

1. There were some teachers of the law present who were looking for something that could prove Jesus was nobody important – possibly even a fake. When Jesus first told the man his sins were forgiven, they were sure Jesus was “blaspheming”/sinning.

1a) How do you define sin?

1b) How does our 2024 culture encourage sin?

1c) What verse(s) in the Bible assures you that your sins are forgiven?

 

2. Friends brought this man to Jesus. They carried him because he wasn’t able to move (paralytic). They had to maneuver through the large group of people surrounding the house, climb the stairs to the roof, make a hole large enough in the roof to let this man   down, and then slowly lower him to Jesus. That was a difficult day for them.

2a) How can people see that our faith in Jesus is important to us?

2b) How can we actually speak about our faith without antagonizing someone?

2c) Should we share our faith even though we suspect we might upset that person, mess up the friendship? Why or why not?

2d) What opportunities have you had to share your faith – and you didn’t – and now wish you had?

2e) Tell us about a time when you did share your faith. How did it turn out?

 

3. If someone asked you how to become a Christian, or asked you what are the steps to becoming a Christian…

3a)  What would you say?

3b) What verses would you use to back up what you say?

There is an excellent article in gotquestions.org that gives the steps and the verses that are good to use.  “What is the Roman’s Road to salvation?”

Practice a situation in your group.  Have someone play the part of the person who is asking the questions about how to be a Christian. That person shouldn’t be too cooperative, but ask questions to challenge what the person is saying. Have someone else be the person who is trying to explain what a Christian is and how to be one. This “role playing game” might help you discuss and figure out what to say and do.

 

4. In the story told in Matthew 9, the man’s sins were forgiven, but he was also healed.

4a) Why are Christ’s miracles in the New Testament important for us today? What do we learn from these miracles?

4b) Can you tell us about a situation where God gave you or someone you know a  miracle?  (in health, in finance, in decision making, etc.)

4c) Sometimes we pray for God to solve a problem/situation but the positive answer we hoped for doesn’t happen. Can you tell us how God actually worked through a                                difficult circumstance in a person’s life?

4d) In what ways can God bring joy in our lives even though we face going through difficulty?

Last Week:

Power

Pastor Brian McGuffin

April 14, 2024

 

Introduction

 

How aware are you of evil and/or demonic forces in our world? Can you give examples?

 

Scripture

Matthew 8: 28 – 34  NIV

‘When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”

30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.’

(If you want to read longer accounts of this event, you can find them in Mark 5: 1 – 20 and Luke 8: 26 – 39.)

 

Discussion Questions

1. We tend to create a scale for things we consider evil or wrong from “no-no” (a little white lie) to horrendous acts (murder, holocaust)

1a) How do you define evil?

1b) How do you define sin? Is there a difference between evil and sin?

1c) There are many places in the Bible that talk about various sins. Read the following verses that describe sin. Where would you put each of these examples on a scale of 1 to 10?  (1 being something we consider common and not too bad, to 10 very serious)

Proverbs 6: 16 – 19 NIV

“There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19  a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”

 

Galatians 5: 19 – 21 NIV

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn   you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

 

1d) Read Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What does God have to say about sin for each one of us?

 

2. How did Jesus overcome sin for us? What are some verses that tell you the answer to that question?

 

3. As a believer/Christian (a person who accepts Jesus’ death as payment for our sin and his resurrection as a promise we will live with the Holy Spirit in our lives and eternity with God) what do the following verses tell us?

John 10: 27 – 29  NIV

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father,  who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

 

Romans 8: 38 – 39  NIV

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in    all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

1 John 1: 9  NIV

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

4. We know that Satan is doing everything he can to keep people from God. We know that he loves to mess up the lives of believers to keep them from a close relationship with God.  How can we stay strong?  Verses in Ephesians tell us how to have protective armour on.

Ephesians 6: 10 – 18  NIV

(This is the NIV version. Read other versions to get a thorough idea of what is said.  Among the versions, The Amplified Bible is interesting.)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the   powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

            18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

 

4a) What do verses 10 to 12 tell you?

4b) What are the various pieces of armor that you are to put on? What do these pieces of armor do for you? (If you have problems figuring this out, go to gotquestions.org and type in “armor of God”. There are several short articles about each piece of the armor.)

4c) One piece of equipment that is stressed is the Word of God – our Bible. Have the group members share the ways they read their Bibles. Each one of us is a unique individual, and sharing helps us find ways that suit us best.

Do they read written devotions – what are they?

Do they read the Bible on their own – if so, what do they look for when they read?

How do they find time to read their Bibles?

 

4d) Prayer is another piece of equipment that is stressed.

How do you find time to pray?

Do you tend to pray throughout the day? What prompts you?

 

5. The sermon this week was about Satan attacking God’s people. It can be scary, especially if we worry about not being strong enough to push Satan and his schemes away. What does this verse say?

1 Corinthians 10: 13  NIV

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

 

6. How have you seen God working in your life? Share your experience(s) with the group.