Bible Reading
Mark 5:21-43 (ESV) — And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Ephesians 5:14 (ESV) — For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Mark 1:15 (ESV) — And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Observation Questions
- In Mark 5, what are the different ways Jairus and the bleeding woman approach Jesus, and what do they have in common? [08:30]
- What does Jesus do when the woman touches his robe, and how does he respond to her? [18:48]
- According to Ephesians 5:14, what is the call to those who are “asleep”? How does this connect to the stories in Mark 5? [06:02]
- In Mark 5, what happens during the “interruption” on the way to Jairus’s house, and how does Jesus treat this interruption? [14:20]
Interpretation Questions
- What does it mean that the kingdom of God is “at hand” and not far off, according to both Jesus’ words and the sermon? [06:02]
- Why do you think Jesus highlights the woman’s faith and calls her “daughter” instead of just letting her slip away after being healed? What does this say about how Jesus sees us? [19:56]
- The sermon says that fruitfulness often comes after long seasons of hiddenness and waiting, like the apricot tree. How might this change the way someone views their own “waiting” seasons? [03:14]
- The kingdom often arrives disguised as an interruption. Why might God choose to work through interruptions or delays, and how can this change our perspective on daily life? [15:26]
Application Questions
- The apricot tree outside the church bore fruit after years of looking barren. Is there an area in your life or faith that feels fruitless or slow? How might God be working “under the surface” in that area? [03:14]
- Both Jairus and the bleeding woman reached for Jesus out of desperation, not strength. Is there a place in your life where you need to come to Jesus with empty hands and a longing heart, rather than trying to have it all together? [08:30]
- Think about a recent “interruption” in your week—an unexpected conversation, a delay, or a need that came up. How might God have been present in that moment? How could you be more open to seeing these as opportunities for God’s kingdom? [15:26]
- Jesus not only healed the woman’s body but restored her identity by calling her “daughter.” Are there labels or wounds you carry that Jesus wants to redefine with his love and acceptance? What would it look like to let him do that? [19:56]
- The sermon says that even when our faith feels small or non-existent, Jesus is able to bring resurrection and new life. Is there a situation or relationship in your life that feels “dead” or hopeless? What would it look like to trust Jesus with it, even if your faith feels weak? [22:56]
- The invitation is to “wake up” to God’s kingdom and reach out, believing it is at hand. What is one practical way you can “wake up” to God’s presence in your daily routine this week? [06:02]
- The pastor shared about being available for God to use him in an “inconvenient” moment with his Uber driver. Is there someone in your life right now who might need you to be available, even if it feels inconvenient? How can you respond? [15:26]
