For the message, The Masters Touch given by Pastor John Ferguson at New City Church of Calgary on February

16, 2014 These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or with your family or small group for discussion.

Discussion Questions: Luke 8:40-56

Introduction:

! How often do you think of your own mortality? Has that changed recently for you? Why or why not? ! Read Luke 8:40-56. ! Questions: ! 1. Put yourself in the shoes of each of the people who come to Jesus in this text: Jairus & the woman with the issue of blood. Vocalize the emotions and the desperation that you would feel in this situation. ! 2. These peoples desperation brought them to Jesus. Is this faith? ! What did each of them have to overcome in order to come and fall at the feet of Jesus? ! 3. Jesus told this woman that her faith had made her well. ! Some people say that faith a like The force in Star Wars that we manipulate to create our own realities? thats not what Jesus is saying here. What did her faith lead her to do? ! But The Apostle Paul had great faith even pleading with the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh (whom most

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! 4. ! 5. ! 6. ! ! ! ! 7. ! ! ! ! ! !

scholars believe was very poor eyesight), but the Lord didnt. Why do you think that some people are healed and some are not? After reflecting on this, read what the Lord said to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9s, and then Pauls response in verses 9:b-10.

In Luke 8:52, Jesus said to Jairus and his wife, plus Peter, James, & John, Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping. But she had no pulse. She was not breathing, and they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. Granted that she was dead, why did Jesus say she was not dead, but merely sleeping? How is this account a picture of what Jesus will do on the last day? After entertaining this question, read Revelation 21:1-5. How does Jesus redefinition of death as sleep give you comfort and hope? Compare how the first Christians used this language in 1 Cor. 15:6 & 51. How does Pauls use of the language of sleep in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 inform how Christ not only transforms death, but also our tears? Read Philippians 1:21 & 23 to see how Paul views his own life and future death? How is a text like Luke 8:40-56 Good News for a place like Calgary? Reflect on how Christianity can speak into a city that tells itself (1) the story that this life is all there is, or (2) life goes on in some form of reincarnation, but no one really knows the details. Cf. John 11:25 (NIV), I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.

Conclusion:

! Renewing your mind: !John 11:25 (NIV), I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die.

What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your life? How does this text help you understand your need for Jesus? How does this text challenge you to follow him?