Mark 7:31-37
Key Verse: 7:34     He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!")
 

1. Read verse 31. Trace Jesus’ journey from Tyre. What was his destination in this passage? When had Jesus visited this place before? See 5:1-20. What had happened?

2. Read verse 32. What did the Decapolis people ask Jesus to do? What change has evidently taken place in this region? Why might such a change have taken place? (Read 5:19,20)

3. Think about this man. Why is it so terrible to be a deaf-mute? What does it mean to be spiritually deaf? Can you think of any examples of spiritual deafness?

4. Read verses 33-34. What did Jesus do and say? How did Jesus’ actions reveal his love for and understandinng of this helpless man? What can we learn here about Jesus?

5. What was the result? Read verse 35. Think about how this man’s life was changed by his encounter with Jesus. What can we learn about spiritual deafness here?

6. Read verses 36-37. What instructions did Jesus give the people? How did they respond to Jesus this time? What does this event reveal about who Jesus is? (See Isa 35:5,6)