Gospel Project At Home Family Discussion! February 18
Unit 22, Session 2 Jesus Healed and Forgave (Matthew 9; Mark 2; Luke 5)
As Jesus worked miracles, people were curious and amazed. Large crowds started following Him. Among those most interested in the works of Jesus were the Jewish leaders who looked unfavorably upon both the actions of Jesus and the following that he was gaining. Though they were interested, they felt increasingly threatened.
The Pharisees and teachers had gathered to see the power of Jesus for themselves and would later attempt to build a case against Him. But Jesus’ authority to forgive sins served to reveal their hardness of heart and evil intentions.
When Jesus told a paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven and then asked these religious men the question, “Which is easier … ?,” the point wasn’t for them to do a scientific assessment to determine which act required greater power. The point was to show them His authority. Therefore, Jesus followed His question with the true answer: “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He commanded the man to get up and walk.
Jesus affirmed His authority to forgive sins by healing the paralyzed man. All of Jesus’ miracles provided the evidence for His teachings and His authority. What’s more, Jesus’ authority is not constrained to only the physical world, but also reaches deep into the spiritual component of every person. While healing the man’s physical condition was a beautiful act of grace, what the man needed most was to have his sins forgiven. And this was the truth the religious leader’s hard hearts failed to understand.
As we reflect on Jesus’ words in this passage, we can ask Him to examine our hearts. Unlike the religious leaders, whose prideful hearts kept them from submitting to Christ’s authority, we can joyfully ask the Lord to reveal any sin. Then by His grace, we can repent and find forgiveness.
Just as Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive the man’s sins by offering the evidence of healing, so has He also shown us His power to forgive our sins through the cross. Not only can we be confident that He will forgive, but we can rejoice that He has met our greatest need.
Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
- Babies & Toddlers: Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
- Younger Preschool: Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Jesus also healed the man. Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
- Older Preschool: The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus forgave the man’s sins. Jesus showed that He can forgive sins because He is God. Jesus also healed the man so he could walk. Jesus has the power to heal and to forgive sins.
- Kids: The man who was paralyzed needed to be healed. Jesus did something even greater; Jesus forgave his sins, and then He healed the man. Because Jesus is God, He has the power and authority to heal and forgive. Jesus forgives everyone who trusts in Him.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Younger Preschool: Is Jesus God or a person? Jesus is both God and a person.
- Older Preschool: Is Jesus God or a human? Jesus is both fully God and fully human.
- Kids: Is Jesus God or a human? As the Son of God, Jesus is both fully God and fully human.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
- Babies & Toddlers: Jesus is God’s Son. John 1:18
- Younger Preschool: Jesus shows us what God is like. John 1:18
- Older Preschool: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son … has revealed him. John 1:18
- Kids: No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him. John 1:18
** Next week: Jesus Healed Sickness (Matthew 9; Mark 5; Luke 8)