The Gospels • Set 5

Small Group Discussion Questions

Icebreaker

1. Have you ever needed help but found it difficult to ask for it? What made it hard?

Digging Into the Text

2. In Mark 1:14–15, Jesus announces the good news of God’s kingdom and calls people to repent and believe. What does this teach us about the heart of Jesus’ message?
3. People were amazed because Jesus taught with authority. What makes Jesus’ authority different from ordinary religious teaching?
4. In Mark 1:29–39, Jesus heals many people but still withdraws to pray and keeps preaching central. What does this teach us about His priorities?
5. The leper came to Jesus saying, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” What does Jesus’ response reveal about His compassion and power?
6. In Mark 2:1–12, Jesus forgives the paralyzed man before healing him physically. Why is that significant?
7. Why do you think Jesus called Levi and ate with tax collectors and sinners? What does this reveal about His mission?
8. In John 5, Jesus asks the man at the pool, “Do you want to get well?” Why is that such an important question?
9. Across these readings, what do you learn about the kind of people Jesus moves toward?

Leader Note

These passages show that Jesus has authority over spiritual darkness, sickness, uncleanness, sin, and human brokenness. Help your group see that Jesus did not come merely to improve people’s circumstances; He came to call sinners, forgive sin, restore the broken, and bring people into the kingdom of God.

Love God

10. What truth about Jesus’ authority, compassion, or mission encouraged you most this week?
11. Where do you need to trust Jesus’ authority more fully?
12. How does Jesus’ willingness to move toward broken and sinful people deepen your worship?

Connect with Others

13. Who has carried you toward Jesus when you were weak, like the friends of the paralyzed man?
14. Who in your life may need encouragement, mercy, or help coming to Jesus?
15. How can this group become a place where sinners and sufferers are met with truth and grace?

Serve Others

16. Jesus noticed people others overlooked. Who might God be calling you to notice and serve this week?
17. What is one practical way you can show Christlike compassion to someone who is hurting, isolated, or overlooked?

Share the Gospel

18. Jesus said He came to call sinners. How does that shape the way we share the gospel?
19. Who is one person you can pray for and move toward with the good news of Jesus this week?

Closing Challenge

Jesus announces the kingdom, teaches with authority, heals the broken, forgives sin, and calls unlikely people to follow Him.

Throughout these readings, Jesus moves toward people who are oppressed, sick, unclean, sinful, overlooked, and unable to fix themselves.

Where do you need to personally come to Jesus for mercy, forgiveness, healing, or renewed obedience this week?

Weekly Heart Check

Love God

1. How has your time with God been this week?
2. What did these readings teach you about Jesus?
3. Where are you resisting Jesus’ authority or delaying obedience?
4. Have you brought your sin, weakness, sickness, fear, or need honestly before Jesus?

Connect with Others

5. Have your relationships reflected mercy, honesty, and compassion this week?
6. Is there anyone you need to encourage, forgive, reconcile with, or pray for?
7. Have you allowed others to help carry you toward Jesus when you are weak?

Serve Others

8. How have you used your time, gifts, or resources to serve others this week?
9. Is comfort, busyness, pride, fear, or judgmentalism keeping you from serving someone Jesus would move toward?

Share the Gospel

10. Did you have an opportunity to talk about Jesus this week?
11. If so, what happened?
12. If not, who is one person you can intentionally pray for and move toward this week?

Honest Accountability

13. What sin, fear, habit, weakness, or struggle has been most difficult this week?
14. Is there anything hidden that needs to be brought into the light?
15. What is one thing you need prayer for today?