JESUS' AUTHORITY TO FORGIVE SINS

Luke 5:17-26

Key Verse: 5:20

* COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS (17-19)

1. Describe the scene in verse 17. Why do you think these religious leaders had gathered from all the country? Was Jesus intimidated by them? Why not? (17b) What was the main focus of Jesus' work?

2. Who tried to push through the crowd but failed? What does this suggest about the crowd? (what details does Mark 2:1-4 add?)

3. When the men couldn't get through to Jesus, what did they do? Put yourself in the places men. How must they have felt about their friend? What can we learn from them?

4. How did Jesus see their actions? (20a) What did they believe? What can we learn here about the nature of faith? About real friendship? (See 1 Sa.20:12-17; 2 Sa1:26; Jn.15:15)

* JESUS HEALS THE PARALYTIC (20-26)

5. Whose faith did Jesus see? What did Jesus say to the paralyzed man? What does it mean that he addressed him as "Friend"?

6. Why do you think Jesus said "Your sins are forgiven" instead of saying "your paralysis is healed"?

7. What do the symptoms of paralysis and those of powerless sinners have in common? (Think about what it mean to be a burden/blessing to others.)

8. What was the reaction of the Pharisees? Why were they critical of Jesus? (cf. Jn.8:15)

9. What did Jesus say to the Pharisees? How does he appeal to their consciences? What did he say to the paralytic? How does this answer their criticism? What does it teach about the importance of forgiveness?

10. What was Jesus' main point in his teaching about himself? How was the paralytic changed? What does this show about Jesus? How did the people? Why were they filled with awe?