Bible Reading
Mark 5:21-43 “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.”
[54:55]Leviticus 15:25-27 “If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. Every bed on which she lies, all the days of her discharge, shall be to her as the bed of her impurity. And everything on which she sits shall be unclean, as in the uncleanness of her menstrual impurity. And whoever touches these things shall be unclean and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening.”
[01:09:04]Observation questions
- How do Jairus’s position and the woman’s circumstances differ, and what does each do to seek help from Jesus? [01:03:00]
- What details in Mark 5:25–26 show how deeply the woman’s condition had affected her life before she approached Jesus? [01:06:53]
- After the woman is healed, what does Jesus do rather than let her leave unnoticed? How does he address her? [01:15:19]
- What happens to Jairus’s situation while Jesus is speaking with the woman, and how does Jesus respond to the news? [01:21:39]
Interpretation questions
- What does Jairus’s willingness to fall at Jesus’ feet reveal about the limits of status and influence when someone faces a need beyond their control? [01:04:39]
- In light of the woman’s isolation, why does Jesus’ welcome of her as a daughter matter beyond her physical healing? [01:16:06]
- Why is it important to distinguish faith in Jesus from confidence in an object, such as the garment the woman touched? How could confusing the two affect someone’s relationship with God? [01:17:47]
- How does Jesus’ response to Jairus challenge the idea that worsening circumstances mean there is no reason to keep trusting him? What is the difference between trusting Jesus’ ability and assuming he must act on a person’s preferred timetable? [01:25:26]
Application questions
- When a need feels bigger than you can handle, where do you tend to turn first? What might turning toward Jesus rather than panic, bitterness, or a shortcut look like in one situation you are facing? [01:01:16]
- Is there an area where keeping up the appearance that everything is fine makes it hard for you to admit you need help? What would an honest step toward Jesus and a trusted believer look like this week? [01:05:05]
- Have you ever felt known mainly by a struggle, illness, or painful part of your past? How might belonging to Jesus reshape the way you describe yourself? [01:16:26]
- Who around you may feel overlooked or left to carry a burden alone? What is one specific way you could help that person experience welcome and belonging this week? [01:14:58]
- When someone else receives the help you have been praying for, what feelings surface? What could help you celebrate with them while remaining honest with God about your own waiting? [01:20:38]
- What voices or distractions make it harder for you to keep trusting Jesus? What boundary or change might help you give his words more attention without shutting out wise counsel? [01:38:02]
- What could seeking Jesus look like in your ordinary days, not just during a crisis? What small, realistic practice would you like to begin or renew this week? [01:37:22]
