Session 7
We should care for and value persons with physical handicaps.
1 So he got into a boat, crossed over, and came to his own town.
2 Just then some men brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.
Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic,
“Have courage, son, your sins are forgiven.”
3 At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “He’s blaspheming!”
4 Perceiving their thoughts, Jesus said,
“Why are you thinking evil things in your hearts?
5 For which is easier:
to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’
or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth
to forgive sins”-
then he told the paralytic, “Get up, take your stretcher, and go home.”
7 So he got up and went home.
8 When the crowds saw this, they were awestruck and gave glory to God,
who had given such authority to men.
Highlight the men’s faith in tearing up the roof to help their friend.
Many scholars believe this was Peter’s house.
Note that the religious leaders had a different response. Read this content from page 74 of the PSG to explain their reaction:
To the religious leaders who were present, such an action was perceived as blasphemy.
Only God could forgive sins.
They were convinced Jesus was usurping
a function that belonged only to God.
They refused to believe Jesus was God.
While the objections from the scribes were not spoken aloud,
Jesus in His omniscience was perceiving their thoughts.
He denounced their unbelief and objections as coming from the evil in their hearts.
Jesus proved His authority to forgive sins
by demonstrating His authority to heal physical disabilities.
As God, He has the power to do both.
And He is willing to meet every need because He cares about every human life.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 76 of the Personal Study Guide.
Refer back to the list of people and groups recorded on the board from Matthew 9:1-8. Lead a brief discussion about how each person or group resembles our contemporary culture’s attitude toward human life.
Create a list of those in your community who might be considered outcasts or of lesser value as directed in the first set of questions on page 76 of the PSG. Plan a group project that will allow adults to minister to these individuals in a meaningful way. Suggest they reflect on the second set of questions from page 76 of the PSG during the week.
Close the session in prayer, thanking God for the gift of each human life. Ask Him to impress that value on the heart of each person as they seek ways to serve as His hands and feet in the world.
Text or email the group, encouraging them to do some deeper soul searching as they consider the sanctity of human life. Remind them to read and reflect on the second set of questions on page 76 of the PSG. Also, urge them to pray about the group project idea from the “Challenge” activities. Let them know that you are praying for them as they seek to become more like Jesus in the area of honoring the sanctity of all human life.
The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love. (See Genesis 1:26-30; Psalm 8:3-6.)
Connect Old Testament prophecy to New Testament fulfillment.
Matthew 8:17 indicates that Jesus’s healing ministry was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:4. Matthew 9:6 quotes Jesus referring to Himself as the Son of Man, a reference from Daniel 7:13-14. Read Isaiah 53. List all the descriptions related to the Messiah. Next, search for the phrase “Son of Man” using a concordance. Take note of how and when the term is used. Finally, think about how Jesus could fulfill Isaiah 53 only by being the Son of Man-both divine and human.