This weekend, we continued our study through the Gospel of Mark as Pastor Doug teaches from Mark 5:21–43. In this message, we looked at two amazing miracles as Jesus heals a woman with a bleeding condition and raises a dead girl to life!

In this week’s group study, Boca campus Worship Pastor Andrew Wooddell expands on our examination of Mark 5:21–43.

THIS WEEK’S GROUP RESOURCE

Below, you’ll find some key questions to reflect on and consider in your group, with your family, or in your circle of friends, some action points for the week, and a look ahead.

Ice Breaker: If you could be a superhero, what would your powers be? What would your identity be?

Getting the Conversation Going: Our world is big on identities. We’re so quick to want to label and place an identity on everyone around us. Here’s the thing, though . . . these identities are almost entirely external, circumstantial, societal, and lifestyle based. We label each other by political affiliation, sexual identity, career, economic status, health status, by past actions, physical appearance, and a whole host of other things. We label ourselves and one another by the standards of the culture we live in. We ascribe labels without having a true, deep understanding of who we are or who others are. But what happens when these labels and positions fail to bring peace, hope, or satisfaction? What happens when they fail us?

“Am I telling myself that a change in zip code, relationship status, income, or job title will bring peace?”

Before we really get into these stories, let’s consider for a moment what you’re telling yourself right now? What labels are you consumed by? How do you define yourself?

Discussion Question 1: Why do people get so consumed by labels and identities they or others ascribe to them? Why don’t these labels, titles, positions, or identities ever really bring true peace?

The Cleansing Touch: In the passage we’re studying today, we encounter two women from two different economic statuses with two different health problems. One was the daughter of a synagogue leader. A member of the college of elders and quite possibly the Sanhedrin, Jairus was influential, wealthy, and powerful. But no amount of position or power could have saved Jairus’ daughter, who was “at the point of death” (Mark 5:23 ESV). Only Jesus could save her.

So, as Jesus arrived by boat after all that took place in the region of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1–20), Jairus waited for Him among the big crowd. And this wealthy, influential, important member of society fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him in front of everyone to come and heal his daughter. Jesus agreed and went with Him . . . as did the large crowd that followed Him. As you can imagine, people were trying to get in closer to Jesus. Many were likely there because of the buzz around Jesus, not because they genuinely believed in Him. But among them was a woman who was determined to touch Jesus, “Because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’”

“Pain, shame, and disappointment can create a path to Jesus”—Pastor Doug Sauder

This woman suffered from an extremely rare condition of continual menstrual bleeding. It had consumed her, taken over her identity, and brought down labels on her. She was defined by her problem. Her condition had bankrupted her financially and, according to Jewish ceremonial law, prevented her from attending temple worship because she was considered ceremonially unclean. In order to be regarded as clean, the flow of blood needed to stop for at least seven days. Her condition made her an outcast, ostracized socially and religiously. It would have also prevented her from getting married—and if she was married, it would have been grounds for divorce. If she had kids, it would’ve made her unable to care for them without making them unclean. Anything she touched would have become unclean . . . except Jesus! 

Jesus isn’t made unclean by anything; He makes things clean and new! And that’s exactly what happens here. She is healed, and as the interaction between her and Jesus unfolds, He says to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” He, the One who made her, knows her, and loves her, gives her a new identity . . . her true identity—daughter—taking her from outcast to an heir in God’s kingdom. And in this true identity, we find life, peace, purpose, and fulfillment!

Discussion Question 2: What does Jesus say about you? Does this line up with what you say about yourself or what you tell yourself?

Discussion Question 3: What can you do to walk more and more in the identity given to you by Jesus and not by yourself or the those around you?

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”—2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Jesus and the Comeback: After His interaction with the woman, someone comes to Jesus and Jairus and notifies them that Jairus’ daughter had died. But Jesus tells him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” And that’s just what Jairus did; he responded to Jesus with faith. And what did Jesus do? He resurrected the child by calling out to her, “Wake up, little girl.” It was a term of endearment, a loving and familial call. He saved her and thus gave this whole family a new life, a new perspective, and a new identity in Him!

Discussion Question 4: How can you help others know their true identity in Christ?

This Week: Who in your life needs a miracle? Who needs to come back to life in Jesus? Who needs to be healed of the past, the labels, the pains of broken identities? Invite them to Good Friday and Easter at Calvary! For more info, visit CalvaryFTL.org/Easter.

Pray It Out: Share prayer requests in your group. Write down the requests of your group members, spend time praying over these requests, and keep praying individually over them throughout the week.

A LOOK AHEAD

This weekend is Easter! Together, we’ll reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross this Good Friday and celebrate the greatest comeback of all time this Easter. Discover once again how the resurrection of Jesus has changed the world and has the power to change your story for all time. We look forward to spending an amazing Easter weekend with you!

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