BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUMFALL 2011

Lesson 8 - Who is Jesus: His teaching about himselfHis authority & power to forgive sin

◦Power to forgive sin: healing the paralyzed man (Luke 5:17-26) ▪How would you describe the friends?▪The friends clearly brought their friend for healing. Why then did Jesus say his sins were forgiven instead of healing him?▪Why were the religious leaders upset about Jesus saying that?▪What did Jesus mean in verses 23-24? ▪Which do you think is easier: forgiving sin or healing?▪What did the religious leaders & Jesus think was easier?▪Why did Jesus first forgive the man before he healed him?▪What was the final result?▪With whom can you identify the most--who do you feel the most like? The religious leaders? The friends? The paralyzed man? All? None?▪What do you think about Jesus claiming that he could forgive sin?

◦Power to forgive sin: a woman cleans his feet (Luke 7:36-50) ▪Why were the religious leaders unhappy about the woman's entering their dinner party?▪What was the sinful life this woman had had?▪What were the differences between the religious leaders and the woman? Do you think they ever did the things that the woman did?Jesus moved easily between both social groups. Do you think the religious leaders ever had much interaction with people like this woman?▪Explain the Jewish custom of washing a guest's feet. ▪How would you describe the thoughts and feelings of people at the dinner when the woman did this?▪How did the host (a religious leader) interpret the interaction between this woman and Jesus?▪Who knew Jesus better: the religious leaders or the woman? Why do you think so?▪What did Jesus mean in v. 50? Why did Jesus forgive her? Because of the good things she had done? Because she deserved it?▪Can you identify with either the religious leader or the woman?Do you feel that you are a good person (yi ren) or an unworthy person? (Or both?)What is sin? Have you ever considered that you have sin? Do you believe that Jesus can forgive all the things you have done wrong and give you a new life? What is necessary for forgiveness? (Faith. Belief.)