Sermon Questions 2026-01-11

Sermon Questions – January 11, 2026

Series: Old Stories, New Stories
Text: Mark 1:21 – 2:12
Title: Jesus Heals

Invited and loved: Share about a memorable (or your most recent) hospital visit (as a visitor or patient). What emotions does the hospital bring up in you? How is it helpful (or not) to think of the earth as an emergency room or hospital, with Jesus bringing healing of all sorts?

Shaped:

  • Skim this whole passage. What details stand out to you? Which is your favourite healing story (from this chunk of Mark or another) – why?
  • Jesus’ healing is a sign that the kingdom of God is coming. What does his multiple types of healing tell you about the kingdom of God – what and who are important to God?
  • Many of us have prayed for healing that did not appear to happen on earth. How do we make sense of this apparent lack of healing, in the context of Jesus’ mission and the nature of God’s kingdom? (Tyler Staton’s chapter on Healing in The Familiar Stranger may be helpful. For example, “Healing is not the Kingdom, so it’s not where our ultimate hope lies. But it is a sign of the Kingdom, so we seek it and ask for it now, hungry for a taste of what’s to come.”)
  • Have you or someone close to you experienced physical, emotional, or spiritual healing? Share some stories! (Remember three types of “NEW” stories that match the “OLD” gospel: a story of Jesus’ current work in your life; the story of how you came to trust and follow Jesus; the story of the “so what?” difference Jesus makes in your life.)
  • How would you like Jesus to bring healing in your life? What is one step you can take this week toward this healing?
  • Pastor Cara is inviting us to learn a summary of the “OLD” gospel and is offering James Choung’s “True Story” as a model. Why is it valuable to have a gospel summary ready to share? If you didn’t do so last week, consider watching Choung’s summary together (search “James Choung True Story” on YouTube to find Part 1 and Part 2, both 3-minute videos). Who wants to practice telling part of it?

Sent: How do you want to grow in your ability to share (new or old) stories about Jesus in the coming season? Pray together for the Spirit’s help and guidance. Pray also for the healing you long for.

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