August 23, 2010
SIGHT UNSEEN: WEEK 1
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Mark 8:22-27
22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village” 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?”
References:
Mark 8:14-21
Mark 10:46-55
Main Idea:
This passage of Mark shows Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus performs a genuine miracle, which in itself is incredible. But there are a few of other things we can learn from this story. First, the blind man’s friends brought him to Jesus. It is important to have people in our lives who will bring us to Jesus when necessary, and we must be that person for others. Second, we must be willing to allow Jesus to lead us wherever He wants. Jesus takes the blind man by the hand and leads him outside the village. The man was willing to be led by Jesus. When you follow Jesus you can be sure that you are on the right path, whether you can see the path or not. Finally, we all have blindness in certain areas of our lives. Sometimes the healing process is gradual. The first time Jesus touches the man’s eyes, he still has blurry vision. When Jesus does it again the second time, he is healed fully. Did Jesus mess up the first time? Of course not. The man had a part to play in the healing process and stuck with it. Jesus never gave up on the blind man. He never gave up on His disciples when they didn’t seem to get it. And He won’t give up on you, so don’t quit halfway through the healing process.
Know What: Jesus has the power to heal all kinds of blindness in our lives.
So What: We must be willing to follow Jesus even when we can’t see where we are being led.
Now What: Healing is a process. Don’t quit before Jesus has fully healed the blind spots in your life.
Discuss…
1. Who are the people in your life who help bring you to Jesus when you can’t get to him yourself? Is there anyone you help lead to Jesus when they are unable to get to Him?
2. Why is it so hard to surrender and allow Jesus lead us? Would you rather be led by Jesus (even if you don’t know where you’re headed) or sit on the sidelines and be angry/frustrated? Why?
3. Has anyone recently pointed out a “blind spot” in your life (told you about an area of your life that you need to work on)? How did you react? Did you get angry and defensive? Or did you see merit in what they were saying? Maybe both?
4. Is there anyone in your life who has a blind spot that needs to be pointed out? Do you feel convicted to have a conversation about it with them? If so, how can you do it in a graceful and loving way?
5. Why is it so hard to acknowledge blind spots in our life, even when we start to see them?
6. Are you frustrated over a recurring blind spot in your life that just won’t seem to fully heal? Do you feel tempted to quit halfway through the healing process? What can other members in your group do to encourage you to stay the course?
Pray
This week, pray for the strength to stay with Jesus through the healing process of whatever situation you are in. Pray for other members in your group that they would also see the healing process through. Remember that the Great Physician will never quit on you.
