Matthew 8:1 So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smas...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPEN QUESTIONSWhat is one of your favorite things about the Christmas season?  What’s one of your least favorite things?HEADRead John 5:1-...  Read More

John 5:13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him.This is an interesting addendum to the story. The man didn’t know who had healed him until later, wh...  Read More

John 5:9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, This text feels like we are just cherry picking a little bit. And we should probably include the following text in today's devotional. However, I am not because I want to discuss something very specific today. The text begins with the man being healed as he stood up. H...  Read More

John 5:8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”We want Jesus to talk to us. We pray for this, we hope that we will someday hear his voice and understand his will. But what I have noticed is that when Jesus talks, when he gives us commands, he often makes it simple enough to understand, and hard enough to make it impossible for us. It is impossible for us, until he makes it possibl...  Read More

John 5:7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”This man is speaking directly to his need for community. He doesn’t have anyone who can help him get into the water when the bubbles come up. His inability to get help means that he has no chance of being healed. Interestingly, this is probab...  Read More