Recognize who Jesus is and how much we need Him The Way to Life Lesson 9 Recognize who Jesus is and how much we need Him

Opening questions List two or three of the most important needs you have in your life that you have not been able to satisfy. What are your most serious problems you cannot solve? Which of the following inner character qualities, or spiritual qualities, do you have? Which do you not have? Peace of mind about the kind of person you are, your relationships with people, your achievements, your future, and your eternal future after death A joy which endures even through good and bad circumstances The ability to love, forgive and be patient with all people

Opening questions (continued) Have you been able to solve all your greatest problems and satisfy your most important needs, even with the help of other people? How important is it to you to know God, and to discover what He can do for you?

The Bible reference for today’s study reports about a man who had an extremely bad physical problem and an even greater spiritual need. The solution to both of his problems depended on two facts: 1. The first was who Jesus Christ is. 2. The second was what the man and his friends believed that Jesus could do for the man.

Before we read Luke 5:17–26 we need to understand the vocabulary “Blasphemy” (5:21) is saying something that dishonors God. For instance, a man who is not God would blaspheme if he said he had the special power and authority that only God has. That would be stealing God’s honor. He would be claiming to be as great as God or implying that God is no better than a human being. “Son of Man” (5:24) is the name or title for Jesus Christ used hundreds of years earlier in the Bible’s Old Testament prophecies (Daniel 7:13, 14, 27). God had promised to send “a Son of Man” who had God’s special power to rescue His people.

When the prophet Samuel was sent to Bethlehem to anoint the next king he was afraid of the men who seemed so powerful. Then the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.“ 1 Samuel 16:7 Reading The major purpose of Jesus’ teachings and works were to reveal who He is. As you read Luke 5:17–26 in English and Chinese, think about who Jesus is, and what He can do for you. Think of the way God looks at us: the inside rather than the outside.

Luke 5:17-26 17One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?23Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?24But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God.  26Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.

Who do you identify with? And who do you want to become? 1. friend of the sick man who wants Jesus to heal his sick friend 2. Pharizee, teacher of the law 3. paralyzed man who trusted Jesus 4. visitor, seeker, who sees the healing and then praises God

What made it difficult for the paralyzed man and his friends to get to Jesus? Is there anything that makes it difficult for you to go to Jesus for help? If so, what is it? How did the men carrying the paralyzed man show their faith? Since faith is an invisible attitude in the mind, what was it that Jesus saw? See Luke 5:18–20. How great was the effort the men made to get to Jesus? What does that effort show that they thought about Jesus? And what does that effort show about how great the need of the paralyzed man was? See 5:18–20. Was Jesus’ first response what those men expected, and what you would expect Jesus to say? See 5:20. Think of some reasons that might explain why Jesus responded in that way instead. Why did Jesus forgive the man’s sins before healing him? See 5:20, 24. What Jesus said and did raised a question in people’s minds. What was that question? See 5:21.

Split into smaller discussion groups and try to find answers on the questions on your handout sheet.