“He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
 

· JESUS DEFENDS HIS DISCIPLES’ CAUSE (2:23-28)

1. What did Jesus’ disciples do one Sabbath? Why? Of what did the Pharisees accuse them? (See Ex. 20:8-11) How and why did they miss the point of the law? How did Jesus defend his disciples’ cause? (1 Sam. 21)

2. What else did Jesus teach in verses 27, 28 about the true meaning of the Sabbath? What is real rest? What is the center of the Sabbath?

· JESUS HEALS A MAN WITH A SHRIVELED HAND (3:1-6)

3. What is the serious life problem of the man here? Who else was in the synagogue, watching Jesus and watching this man? Why?

4. How was Jesus’ view of this man different from that of the Pharisees? How could he have avoided a confrontation? What did Jesus he say to the man? Why?

5. How did Jesus try both challenge and try to help the Pharisees? (4)

6. Why was Jesus so distressed and angry at their silence? What did he say and do? (5) How did Jesus teach the true meaning of the Sabbath through this event? How did the Pharisees react? Why?