Weekly Discussion Guide

In his sermon, Pastor Chris talked about some of the hurts, hang-ups, or habits that people find difficult, if not impossible, to shake.

MY STORY | Starting Place
What’s something that has been a challenging part of your existence that you’ve come to accept is simply never going to go away?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked (John 5:2-9)

How did the paralytic answer Jesus’ question without actually saying “Yes,” he wanted to be healed?

Why do some people keep putting their hope into possible solutions that have failed them time and time again?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
Pastor Chris gave a long list of reasons why people might not want to experience healing.

In regard to a physical, mental, or emotional challenge that you might be facing, what would healing look like for you?

Some of these challenges might include: procrastination; alcohol abuse; control issues; anger; overspending, excessive phone time; drug abuse, loneliness, resentment, approval of others; hurry; unhealthy sexual behavior; neglect; overeating; compulsions, control issues, obsessing, yelling, bitterness, hopelessness, feeling unloved, easily frustrated, overwhelmed, anxiety, feeling trapped, devastating failures, unresolved losses, chronic grieving, feeling worthless, feeling unforgivable, envious, paralyzing fears.

What would it cost you to experience that healing? What coping mechanisms would no longer be needed?

How would experiencing that healing impact your relationships?

How would experiencing healing impact your gratitude towards God?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
Spend some time this week thinking about what might be a hurt, hang-up, or destructive habit that has become integrated into the DNA of your life.

Acknowledge to God what He can plainly see is true about how this particular challenge is holding you back.