Small Group Discussion Guide: Press Through Until You Break Through
Bible Reading (ESV)
Mark 5:25–34
25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 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. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 10:46–52
46 And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
2 Corinthians 4:7–10
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Observation questions
- In Mark 5, what did the woman actually do and say before she was healed (notice the movement through the crowd and her inner confession in v. 28)?
- In Mark 10, what two actions stand out about Bartimaeus when Jesus calls him (pay attention to “throwing off his cloak” and “sprang up,” v. 50)? What do those actions tell us about his posture toward Jesus?
- The pastor noted that Jesus didn’t walk to Bartimaeus; He called him to come. What did that require from a blind man, practically speaking?
[58:00]- According to 2 Corinthians 4:7–10, list the pairs that describe our condition versus God’s keeping (for example, “afflicted but not crushed”). What stands out to you in those contrasts?
Interpretation questions
- In Mark 5, the woman moves toward Jesus before anything changes. What does her inner statement (“If I touch even his garments…”) teach about faith that acts before seeing a result?
- Bartimaeus throws off his cloak (Mark 10:50). In that culture a cloak could represent identity and security for a beggar. What might it mean, today, to “throw off” something that has defined a person in order to move toward Jesus?
[58:00]- “We have this treasure in jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7). Why would God choose fragile vessels on purpose? How does weakness become a platform for His strength instead of a reason to quit?
- The pastor said, “Sometimes life just happens… but God still wins.” How should a believer interpret detours, losses, and delays without assuming God has abandoned them?
[01:09:51]Application questions
- Start with the living God first. Where do you tend to make God your last resort instead of your first response (work stress, parenting, health)? What is one specific situation this week where you will stop and pray first before you troubleshoot? Say out loud, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,” and pray right then.
[05:33]- Move before the miracle. What is one concrete “cloak” you need to throw off—an old label, a habit, or a security blanket—that keeps you from obeying Jesus promptly? What is one step you will take in the next 48 hours to move toward Him, even if conditions aren’t perfect?
[58:00]- Let your limits spotlight His sufficiency. Name one current weakness (emotional, financial, physical, relational). How will you invite God to show His power there this week? Choose one practice: ask for prayer, fast one meal, or share the weakness with a trusted friend and ask them to check in. Pray 2 Cor. 4:7 once a day.
[01:12:25]- When life “just happens,” how will you respond? Identify one frustrating detour you are in right now. What would it look like to say, “God still wins,” and then take a small faithful action (send the résumé, make the apology, keep serving) anyway?
[01:09:51]- Feel it—don’t live in it. Where are you tempted to camp in disappointment? Set a short “lament, then move” plan: how long will you allow yourself to feel it (for example, 15 minutes), and what will you do next (play a worship song, pray Psalm 23, take a walk and thank God for three things)? Share your plan with the group.
[01:19:48]- Perseverance is faith. Fill in this prayer and do it daily this week: “Father, give me faith to obey you in ______ today.” What’s one obedience you will keep showing up for (daily Scripture, reconciliation conversation, serving on your team) even if you don’t see quick results?
[01:16:04]- From head to heart. The pastor said getting truth from our heads into our hearts changes everything. What Scripture or promise will you carry on a notecard or phone lock screen this week so you can speak it when fear tries to breathe? Share it and why you chose it.
[05:33]
