Winter Quarter: Unit II, Lesson 7 – Teachers

As a result of experiencing this lesson, you should be able to do these things:

• Study Mark’s account of Jesus’ healing the man who was paralyzed.
• Appreciate how one’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs are intertwined.
• Pray for God’s healing grace to touch you at your particular point of need.

Crowd (verse 4)—Greek: ochlos (okh’los): a multitude; the common people; “press” (KJV).

Faith (verse 5)—Greek: pistis (pis’-tis): conviction of the truth; belief; trust; confidence; fidelity; faithfulness.

Forgive (verse 7)—Greek: aphiémi (af-ee’-ay-mee): to let go, leave alone, remit.

Hearts (verse 8)—Greek: kardia (kar-dee’-ah): the hearts, minds, characters, inner self; wills; intentions; centers.

Sins (verse 5)—Greek: harmartia (ham-ar-tee’-ah): sins; failures; faults; “missing the mark.”

Word (verse 2)—Greek: logos (log’-os): a word (as embodying an idea); a statement; a speech.

• Refer to the Townsend Press SS Commentary Teacher’s Edition for an additional lesson plan—with word studies, insights on teaching adults, learner matrices, etc.
• Review last week’s student assignments (“Your Life” and Your World!”).
• Thoroughly review your student book for your adult or young adult class.
• Please note that you have the option of using your subscription bundle supplements, i.e., Lesson Scenario, Student Activity Sheet, SSL-AAG Listener and Answer Sheets, etc.

The limitations of human existence make genuine wholeness an elusive goal. Where can we find true healing? By declaring a paralyzed man’s sins forgiven and restoring his physical health, Jesus demonstrated that God had called Him to heal infirmities of the soul as well as the body.

We are usually eager to assist close friends who need our help. It is not unusual for people to go out of their way to ensure that good friends receive what they need in critical moments. We draw from whatever resources are available to us to create the best outcomes for those who need us. When we are unable to assist, we look beyond ourselves to find other answers, resources, or ways to provide help. When people find themselves in overwhelming or seemingly hopeless situations, their most loyal friends stand by their side. The best friends of all, however, go to Jesus on behalf of those whom they love, knowing that He can meet every need—mind, body, and soul. Even when we give others all we have to offer them, there are limits to what we can do to address their greatest problems or to effect needed change in their lives. Commit yourself to praying fervently for those you love, trusting that the God who sees, knows, and loves them will minister to them from the inside out. God sees what we cannot see and He can do what we cannot do. He ministers to every physical, emotional, social, and spiritual need that leaves people broken and incomplete.

The narrative in today’s text highlights the ongoing tension and conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus drew large crowds. He healed the sick. He cast out devils. They could not compete with Him on any level. Jesus’ booming popularity among the people not only made the Pharisees suspicious and envious of Him, but also provoked them to seek reasons to discredit Him, whether legitimate or not. The scribes (and other leaders) complained among themselves and openly challenged Jesus in public settings, hoping to diminish His authoritative influence with the people. Jesus used miracles to authenticate His teaching and give proof of His divine authority (see Mark 1:22, 27; 2:10). The paralytic whose friends brought him to Jesus was blessed by Jesus’ healing power and His authority to forgive sins. Jesus is not concerned with outward appearances (see 1 Samuel 16:7); His priority has always been to address the deeper needs of the whole person—to feed the body, to heal afflictions, to cleanse the spirit, to mend the brokenhearted, and to free from oppression. God’s desire is to make us whole. The Gospel writers often say that people were “amazed” (existasthai) by Jesus’ miracles (see Matthew 12:23; Mark 2:12; 5:20; 6:51). The miracles compelled people to think deeply about who Jesus is, and to grasp a clearer understanding of His unlimited wisdom and spiritual power. The paralytic in the text overcame at least two barriers in his effort to get to Jesus—the crowd and the roof (see Mark 2:2-4).

(Choose from the items below.)

1. What are some common barriers, hindrances, or distractions that easily block people from getting to Jesus?
2. Have you experienced a dramatic change or had an exceptional encounter with God in your personal life? How has Jesus made you whole? Share briefly with the class.
3. For many, healthy living is associated with diet and exercise and rest. In light of this week’s lesson, how would you define being healthy?

Even if the people in your life are saved, they still need Jesus. Consider some meaningful ways that you can help those you love to have a deeper experience of the love and power of God. Believers and unbelievers alike often struggle with sickness, despair, loneliness, failure, financial setbacks, disappointments, and emotional hurts. Jesus longs to meet the needs of hurting people. How can God use you to make a difference in the lives of people who need ministry at many other levels? Read Matthew 25:35-40. True spirituality, the kind the Lord expects of us, involves a focus on the needs of the whole person. This is the ministry to which God has called every believer—touching and transforming lives from the inside out.

As Christians, we recognize and proclaim Jesus as the Great Physician. As the Great Physician, Jesus is the source of mental, physical, and spiritual healing. Jesus does more than save our souls from sin. We rejoice in salvation, for that is His greatest gift to us. But what else has the Lord done for you? The miraculous encounters we read about in the Scriptures confirm Jesus’ divine authority and reveal that He is more than a Savior, and more than we ever imagined Him to be. He is available to meet every one of our needs.

ADDITIONAL EXPOSITORY INSIGHTS FOR THE TEACHER

Mark 2:1-4

KJV

AND AGAIN he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

NIV

A FEW days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.

2  They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.

3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.

4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

The return to Capernaum marked the completion of Jesus’ first tour of Galilee. The text is silent, and it is not important to know who owned the house where Jesus ministered to the crowd. Regardless of who owned the house, the important detail is that Jesus was in the house. The “press” of verse 4 is simply an archaic word for “crowd.” Ancient flat-roofed houses usually had a stairway to allow roof access without difficulty. When the paralytic and his determined friends were prevented by the crowd from getting close to Jesus, they ascended to the roof. To uncover the roof likely meant digging through some combination of grass, plaster, tile, and wood to penetrate the mud-like mixture that likely filled the gaps between the boards or beams. Imagine the disruption in the room as debris and dirt fell from the ceiling on those who were intently listening to Jesus as He ministered that day. The man is described as having “palsy,” a term best understood as a form of paralysis. Being impaired to such an extent left an individual unable to work and to provide for or assist himself in any way. Paralytics and lame persons in that day rested on beds (a mat or pallet) upon which people laid or rested while begging for resources to make ends meet. It is easy to appreciate the men’s desperate determination to get to Jesus on their friend’s behalf.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student lesson for related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

How far have you ever gone to help a friend in crisis?

• Young Adult Questions:

What things hinder you from coming into the presence of Jesus?

Mark 2:5-8

KJV

5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6  But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

NIV

5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6  Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves,

7  “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8  Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things?”

Jesus looked upon the men and immediately discerned the urgency of their need, the desperate nature of their situation, their bold determination, and their tremendous faith. They spoke no words, yet Jesus discerned their plea. In contrast to the men’s striking display of faith is the faithless disposition of the religious leaders. They are in the same room, but they are not in the same frame of mind. Many who gathered were full of faith (see Mark 5:34-36; 9:23-34; 10:52), but the scribes were blinded by their envy and contempt for Jesus. The scribes insisted that Jesus was merely a common man, like them, with no authority to declare anyone’s forgiveness from sin. On this basis, the scribes considered Jesus’ words of forgiveness to be blasphemy. They could not accept or celebrate Jesus’ miracles because they had rejected His deity of Christ. The scribes objected to Jesus by saying that only God can forgive sins (see Exodus 34:6-7; Isaiah 43:35; 44:22); they failed to realize that Jesus is fully divine. He is one with God the Father, the physical manifestation of the invisible God. Jesus spoke to the paralytic, calling him “son” (verse 4), affirming his worth and acceptance among the faithful. In a moment, Jesus spoke life-changing words and thereby did for the man what only God could do.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

When you are present for worship at church, what is on your mind? How can you focus your thoughts strictly on worship and the Word?

• Young Adult Questions:

What was the point of Jesus’ asking the question in verse 9? How would you have answered it?

Mark 2:9-12

KJV

9  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

NIV

9  “Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

10  “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man,

11  “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

12  He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

The healing of the paralytic man was proof of the Lord’s power to forgive sins and evidence of His deity here on earth. Jesus demonstrated before the people that He was more than a healer. He was more than a great teacher. He was more than they expected or imagined Him to be; He was God. Jesus’ interaction with the paralytic revealed His authority to forgive sins and the life-changing power of His spoken word. Verse 12 records that at Jesus’ word, the paralyzed man rose immediately. Immediately, the man was completely and visibly healed. Without human assistance, the man who had been carried in got up, picked up his belongings, and walked out of the house! Who in their right mind could doubt the power of Jesus that day? The miracle astonished all who witnessed it. The original text literally indicates that the crowd was beside itself with an awe of amazement. The verb used is existemi, which means “to remove out of place” or “to drive one out of one’s senses.” In other words, they had an out-of-control, out-of-their- mind, crazy praise for what God had done—not for them, but for someone else.
 

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Can you recall and share with the class a personal experience of healing—mental, social, emotional, physical, or spiritual? Testify so that others can praise God for what He has done for you.

• Young Adult Questions:

There is a collective nature of faith working here. In what ways can Christians work together to support and encourage one another, and to grow together in faith?

• Refer to Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— This week, reflect on your memories of God’s healing in your life. Share the memory with someone close to you. Post it on social media or record it in your personal journal.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— This week, pray and look for an opportunity to encourage someone who is struggling by sharing your testimony of healing (medical, emotional, spiritual, etc.).

• Refer to Young Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— God’s people do not need a sign that God has forgiven their sins; we know God has forgiven our sins. If you stand in need of God’s forgiveness, confess your sins right now. If you are sincere, God is faithful to forgive your sins, past and present.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Pray for those who need the grace of God’s healing to touch them. Pray also that God will surround them with persons who will support them with care, compassion, and friendship.

The lesson topic for Sunday, January 24, 2021, is “Standing in the Gap.” The Devotional Reading is 1 Timothy 2:1-7a, and both the Background Scripture and Printed Text are John 17:14-24.

Lord, we praise You because You are our healer. No matter the timing, the place, the methods, or the means, we know that You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals us. We bless Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(January 18-24, 2021)

CALLED AS THE INTERCESSOR

MONDAY, January 18: “Prayer for Peter in Prison” (Acts 12:5-11)
TUESDAY, January 19: “Pray for a Successful Ministry” (Romans 15:22-33)
WEDNESDAY, January 20: “Pray for Inner Strength and Power” (Ephesians 3:14-21)
THURSDAY, January 21: “Pray the Prayer of Our Lord” (Matthew 6:7-13)
FRIDAY, January 22: “Pray for Your Abusers” (Luke 6:22-33)
SATURDAY, January 23: “Pray to Avoid Trials” (Luke 22:39-46)
SUNDAY, January 24: “Jesus Prays for His Disciples” (John 17:13-24)