Need a Bandage?

New Perspectives                                      February 22, 2009

Read John 9:13-24

What progression do you see in the man born blind, as he interacts with the Pharisees (see his answers to their questions in vv. 15, 17, 25, 27, and 33)?

In what areas of your life has Jesus had a healing impact? How is it helpful to talk about them or profess your faith in Christ?

How do the Pharisees continually react to the man born blind? How is it they miss the miracle here?

What tends to distract you from the healing that Jesus has done in your life-or the healing that He wants to do?

Read John 9:35-38

How does this passage conclude or  wrap up the story of the man born blind?

What does v. 35 tell you about Jesus? How is the miracle of returned sight only the beginning of this man's healing?

What is the reaction of the man as he "sees" Jesus for the first time? Why is this so important to the story?

For additional study through the week:

Read John 5:1-14, 7:23  Again in this passage, Jesus goes beyond physical healing to tackle the deeper, spiritual need. What might have been this man's issue that needed to be dealt with? How does Jesus heal "the whole man?" 

Read Psalm 23:1-3 What is attributed to the shepherd in this psalm? What does it mean to have your soul "restored?" How is this the greater healing?

Read Matthew 13:15 What is the context of this passage? How is this parable so important in understanding the last part of v. 15 (see v. 23)? What do you understand with your heart that you didn't before Jesus? 

From Mud to Miracle

Read John 9:6-12

What instructions does Jesus give to the man in this passage? How does he respond to those instructions?

Sometimes healing can be messy-it often involved areas of our life that are difficult to face. What is your "blindness" that you'd like Jesus to heal?

What "instructions" for dealing with that area of your life have you received? Obeyed? Ignored? 

The end result for the blind man is sight...what is it you would hope to experience as a result of healing?            

Read Psalm 40:1-5

This song speaks of God lifting someone up out of some pretty messy circumstances. What messy circumstances are you experiencing right now?

How has God lifted you up out of the mud in the past? How does that give you hope for the moment (or the future)? 

Re-read verse 4. What does it mean to "make the Lord [your] trust?"

For additional study through the week:

Read Luke 7:36-50  Throughout Jesus' ministry, He is not afraid to get in the messy parts of people's lives. What is the "mess" in this woman's life? How does Jesus treat her? How does this show He can be trusted with your mess?

Read Romans 8:31-39  When you read this passage, what grabs you? Why? How does this encourage you to wade through the muck of  your life with Jesus?

Read Philippians 4:10-14  Paul is speaking to friends here in Philippi who shared in his trouble. What friends can you can share the messy parts of your life with? Have you done so? Why or why not?

Why Pain?

Read John 9:1-5

What is the situation Jesus and the disciples encounter? What is the disciples' reaction/assumption? Why do you think they ask that question?

When you encounter suffering (either in your life or someone else's), what questions go through your mind? How does Jesus' response address those?        

What major trials/suffering have you experienced? How has that suffering impacted your faith?

What does Jesus' response tell us about suffering (ours or other's)? About our role in helping others find healing?

Read Psalm 34:1-8, 17-18

When you read this psalm, what words or phrases jump out at you? Why? What do you think God is saying in these words?

What does this psalm have to say about suffering? About God?

Why does it sometimes feel like God is absent in our suffering? How can vs. 17-18 encourage you in times of trouble?

For additional study through the week:

Read Isaiah 53:3-5 and Hebrews 12:1-3 What do these passages say about Jesus and his willingness to step into suffering? Why does Hebrews say Jesus endured pain/ How does having a God who willingly experienced suffering make Christianity unique?

Read Romans 8:18-23 What does this passage use to contrast suffering that we experience now? How is this helpful? How does this passage make sense of the presence of suffering and pain in the world?

Read Romans 5:1-5 What does God use suffering to produce in our life? How have you seen this to be true? What is the result (v. 5)? Is this always true?