This week Pastor Clint taught from John 5:1-15 about Jesus’ encounter with a paraplegic who wanted physical healing without spiritual wholeness. If you haven’t had a chance to catch the online worship experience this week, you can do so here.
Personal Devotional
Let’s dig a little deeper by studying a short Psalm, in which David cries out for true spiritual healing.
Read Psalm 6
List all of the emotions David experiences in this Psalm. Write down the exact words that reveal His emotions.
Which of his emotions can you relate to the most in this season? How are you experiencing either weakness (v2), terror (v3), exhaustion (v6), grief (v7), or assurance (v9)?
Think about the paralytic’s attitude toward Jesus in the sermon this weekend (John 5:1-15). How does David exemplify a very different attitude in this Psalm? Both David and the paralytic long for healing, but they long for two different types of healing. Draw a Venn diagram to compare David and the paralytic. Who do you most resemble and why?
Close by praying this Psalm back to God, modifying it to express your heart and your current needs.
Grace Communities: Sermon Discussion Questions
Have you ever been to a location similar to the pools of Bethesda — a place of brokenness or extreme poverty? What thoughts and feelings did it stir within you? Why do you think Jesus went there?
Jesus zeroed in on “the one” in the midst of hundreds, meeting him in his filth and mess. Would anyone like to tell us about a time Jesus entered into your mess and met you in a personal way?
In what ways do we claim to want to be “made well” without actually wanting to change?
Pastor Clint told an allegory about a Monk who paused to savor a berry instead of dwelling on the past or the future. What’s the berry in your life right now? What is God doing in the present that you might be tempted to overlook because you’re focused on the past or the future?
One of our House Rules at Grace is Radical Hospitality: We go the extra mile to care for others because people’s stories matter. How was Jesus the perfect embodiment of Radical Hospitality? How can we follow His example in this unique season?
GraceStudents 5th/6th Grade
Word of the Week—Long-suffering
I know what you’re thinking…“long-suffering” does not sound like a very good word! But the word “long-suffering” doesn’t just mean that you suffer for a long time. It means you are the kind of person who endures difficulty patiently.
To be long-suffering is to be strong. Persevering. Uncomplaining. Continuing to trust God in tough times. It’s not easy to do, but it’s a wonderful character trait. Romans 2:4 teaches that God is long-suffering toward us. He is kind, tolerant, and patient so that we may be led to repentance.
God’s not in a hurry. He grows things. And He will patiently grow you day by day for the rest of your life! Thank God for His long-suffering character, and ask Him to develop long-suffering in you.
GraceStudents (7-12 Grades)
For the latest Student news and events, head to the calendar!
