SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ Mark 5:1-13
In these chapters, we see the power and authority of Jesus over nature, the forces of evil, death and chronic disease.
- If you were reading these verses for the first time, what would strike you about Jesus? Write down your observations.
- From a storm at sea in the last chapter we shift to a storm with a man. When Jesus and His disciples landed on the southeast shore of the lake, they were in Gentile territory. (Jews don’t keep pigs.) A man with an un unclean spirit was there. How does Mark describe him (5:1-6)?
- Reading about his appearance and actions, which part of him still seems to be a man and which appears to be overcome by the unclean spirit? (5:7-13)?
- What parts of this whole story [5:1-20] do you find it impossible to understand? How does Jesus’ reaction to the man and the unclean spirits encourage you that Jesus is both in charge and in command?
- It is striking that Jesus releases the man from his captivity but the pigs’ owners appear to have cared more about their pigs than they have done about the situation of this man. How are you moved by the salvation of Jesus here to see your neighbors rescued from all the kinds of captivity that we otherwise would overlook?
- We read in verse 19 that Jesus tells the man to tell others about what God in His mercy had done for him. We are told that he did so and people were amazed. You probably don’t have as dramatic as story as his, but are you also amazed by what God has done for you and do the people around you see it.
- The Bible tells us in Hebrews 7:25 that Jesus is able to “save completely those who draw near to God through Him.” Praise God that He has saved you completely in everything that means and that you are yourself a testifier now to the power and mercy of Jesus Christ.