Mark 1:21-45 (NLT)

²¹ Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

²³ Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ²⁴ “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. ²⁶ At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

²⁷ Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” ²⁸ The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

²⁹ After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. ³¹ So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

³² That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door to watch. ³⁴ So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

³⁵ Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. ³⁶ Later Simon and the others went out to find him. ³⁷ When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

³⁸ But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

⁴¹ Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” ⁴² Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. ⁴³ Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 

⁴⁴ “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

⁴⁵ But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

1. The authority of Jesus

The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority

“It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”

2. The movement of Jesus

Jesus went into the synagogue

So he went to her bedside

Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus

We must go on to other towns as well

3. The response to Jesus

The whole town gathered at the door to watch.

“Everyone is looking for you.”

As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus

But people from everywhere kept coming to him.

Establishing and nurturing a relationship with God through Jesus.

God, thank you for showing yourself to me. Jesus, I turn to you, admit I need you, and ask you to enter my heart by faith. By your Spirit, restore my heart with your forgiveness; help me to hear your voice and know your love. Gather me with others to worship and serve you; to nurture our faith and shine your light in the world. Thank you for calling me your child.Amen.

For next week: Read and journal on Mark 2. Follow the format of Observation, Reflection and Prayer as outlined on the Come With Me card and using your Mark journal. Download the Filament App for Mark as you study the passage in your time alone with God each day. 

REFLECT TOGETHER ON SUNDAY’S MESSAGE 

• Review the main points from the sermon outline.
• Share with one another as a whole group or in smaller groups: 
• What are your observations, questions, or take-aways?
• What has impacted you the most from Mark 1:21-45? 
• How does Mark 1:21-45 shift, challenge, or equip me to participate in God’s mission in the world? 

CONNECT WITH GOD (Select one of the below practices.) 

• Breath Prayer (5 minutes): This is an ancient practice that invites us to slow down and awaken ourselves—even our breath—to the presence of God. It is an invitation to remember that God is closer to us than even our own breath! This week you are invited to use the phrase: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” As you focus on breathing in and out, allow the words to flow out from inward breath to outward breath. 
• Inhale: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God.”
• Exhale: “Have mercy on me, a sinner.” 

Continue on for a few minutes at a slowed pace, making space for a growing awareness of God’s Holy Spirit. 

• Listening to God (5 minutes) 

Alone: In a posture of stillness and openness, come to God with the intention to listen. Cultivate a posture of unhurried stillness as you prepare your body, mind, and spirit to be attentive to God’s voice. Consider praying: “Lord, I am here. Quiet the noises and voices around me. Teach me to listen for You.” 

While you pray: listen and wait. Then, if it makes sense for you, jot down any themes of images that come to your mind. 

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE (15-20 minutes) 

• Read: Mark 2:1-12
• Use the “Come with Me” card, along with your Mark Bible Journal to engage with the Scripture passage for the coming week. 
• Observe: Dig into the scripture through doodling, highlighting, note-taking. Pay attention to words or phrases that seem important or raise questions for you. 
• Meditate: Slow down. Read Mark 2:1-12 again and engage your imagination and senses to connect to the passage. Reflect on your experience in your journal. 
• Pray: What prayer of praise, gratitude, or confession arises from your heart and mind as you meditate on this passage? 

• Reflect together (in pairs): Spend time in intentional conversation about your reflections in Mark 2:1-12. 
• What words, phrases, or images stand out to you?
• What are you learning about what it means to follow Jesus through this passage? 
• What questions do you have? 

DIG DEEPER (Select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.)

• What surprises you the most about what Jesus does in this encounter with the paralyzed man? (Mark 2:1-12) 
• What kind of ‘authority’ does Jesus demonstrate in Mark 2:1-12?
• Why were the “teachers of religious law” so upset with Jesus? (verse 6-7)
• Who do you connect with the most in this story? 
• How does Jesus welcome the interruption of the paralyzed man and his friends?
• What does this passage teach you about being a follower of Jesus? 
• How does this passage demonstrate Jesus’ concern for those in pain and on the margins? 

NEXT STEPS 

• Read Mark 2 by January 28th. 
• Observe. Meditate. Pray. 
• Engage with the stories of Jesus in Mark 2. 
• How do the themes of healing, forgiveness, authority, and welcome apply to your own life today? 
• How will you wrestle with Mark 2 this week? 

PRAYER 

 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other…” (James 5:16)

Spend time in intentional prayer for one another and for our church. Share with one another areas of pain, grief, hope and healing.