About this Video:

A man, lame from birth, hears that the miracle worker named Jesus is teaching in his village and calls his friends to help him go to see him.  Not discouraged by the large crowds, the friends lower the man through the roof to be near Jesus, who recognizes the lame man’s faith and heals his body and soul.

Most of the focus of this story is on Jesus' miraculous power in healing the lame man and the source of his authority to forgive sins.  But the other part of this story is how this miracle changed the lame man long after Jesus left.  What happened to him and what kind of work did he begin to do once he could walk and move about?

Questions to Consider:

1. What did the people in the crowded room think when the men on the roof began to open a hole to let someone enter from above?

2. What do you think the lame man said to Jesus after being healed?

3. Now that he could walk and move, what do you think the people said about Jesus  after witnessing this healing?

Background to the Story:

• It is easy to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” but proving that would be hard.  On the other hand, saying, “Get up, take your mat and walk” is much easier to prove his power.  Isa knew and understood that doubters would benefit from witnessing both.

• When the teachers of the law question his healing of the lame man, they were ultimately asking him to also prove he had the authority and power to forgive sins.

Reference - Mark 2:1-12