Matthew 8.5-13
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
Look back (10-15 min)
What are you thankful for and what’s been a challenge this week?
Can we help with or pray about anything shared?
Vision* & Check-in: How did you go with your plan to share/invite or obey from last time?
Look up (10-15 min)
Read this week’s story/passage. Discuss the following questions:
1. What did you like about this passage?
2. What did you find challenging or hard to understand?
Re-read the passage/story (and retell in your own words)
3. What does this say about God/Jesus?
4. What does this say about people?
Look forwards (10-15 min)
What would it mean for me to obey/follow what is taught here?
Who will I share this story with?
Who will I invite to an upcoming event?
If appropriate, pray.
Notes
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
*Vision: “Reaching the world through workers with the good news about Jesus, starting with 100,000 workers in Asia Pacific’’
