GO SPORT
Study 2
Mark 2:1-12
If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?
Maybe it would be more talent in your sport or
restored relationships with your family and friends.
What we desire shows us what we think we need.
What do you think humanity’s greatest
need is?
Ready
In this next story we meet the Pharisees – a respected Jewish religious group. They were the ones most committed to keeping the laws and longing for God’s kingdom to come. How will they respond to Jesus? He says he is the one they are waiting for but does he fit their expectations?
In Mark 15 we read the account of the death of Jesus and see why it is necessary for the forgiveness of sins. The story in Mark 2 points to the reality of what Jesus achieved in Mark 15.
Set
Read Mark 2:1-12
1. What do you think the friends of the paralysed man expected Jesus to do?
2. What did Jesus see as the man’s greatest need and what did the man gain by having it sorted?
Sin is a word used to describe our rebellion against God who made the world and us. It refers to the actions and thoughts we do because of our rebellious nature. The Bible tells us the punishment for unforgiven sin is eternal punishment.
3. Why do you think the religious leaders were so offended by what Jesus said?
Blasphemy means to mock God and the religious leaders saw it was the worst of sins.
4. Look at verse 9 and Jesus’ question to the Pharisees. How did Jesus show his authority to do what only God can do? What do you make of his claim?
That story that Mark records shows us two very significant things about ourself and about Jesus. Our greatest need is not security of wealth or success in sport, or being injury free. Our greatest need is the forgiveness of sins, because that’s our greatest problem. Jesus is the only one who can forgive sins because he is the God-man. The next passage of the bible is the account of Jesus death – this was the point that Jesus, the God-man died to forgive sins.
Read Mark 15:25-39
5. Look and see how many different groups of people were mocking Jesus. What were they saying? Why do think Jesus didn’t save himself?
Between 12pm and 3pm darkness covered the land. The Jewish prophets understood darkness during the day as a sign of God’s judgement.
6. Think about the darkness and the cry of Jesus. What was he experiencing in that moment as he hung on the cross?
The temple was a divided by huge curtains to separate different sections. The one great curtain (30m high) separated the main area from the most holy place where only the priest could go once a year. It was a powerful reminder that God was hidden and God was separate from His people.
7. In verse 38 we read that the curtain was ripped from top to bottom. What do you think is significant about this?
8. The Centurion acknowledges something about Jesus that others don’t – what is it? What might have caused him to make this cry?
Go
1. Having looked at the story of the Paralysed man and the account of the death of Jesus what would you say is your greatest need today?
2. How has this study helped your understanding of Jesus? What have you learnt about him? How does that make you feel? What questions about Jesus do you still have?