Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on January 16, 2022
Passage: Mark 5:1-20
QUICK REVIEW
Looking ahead to NorthStar’s next 25 years, Mike Linch challenges us to help people find their way home to Jesus in the places where we live, work, and play.
Looking back at your notes from Sunday’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, caught your attention, or challenged you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Can you think of a person who has been dramatically changed after coming to know Jesus? What is different about their life now?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. The demon possessed man had no self-control nor could others restrain or control him. He was destructive and isolated from the rest of the community. Everyone feared him and avoided him. His reputation was known throughout the region. Yet, when he ran to Jesus and bowed before Him, Jesus freed him of the evil spirits. In verse 15, we see the dramatic difference in the man after Jesus entered His life: “A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.” What do the following verses tell us about the difference Jesus should make in our lives?
Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT2)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
1 John 3:9 (NLT2)
9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.
Titus 2:11-14 (NLT2)
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
What are some ways that Jesus has changed you?
2. We don’t know if the freed man was scared he would be possessed by the demons again or if he just wanted to be around the One who set him free. Whatever the reason, he asked Jesus to follow him around and join the group of disciples. Jesus had a better plan. In verse 19, Jesus answered him, “No, go home to your family and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” Jesus knew the influence this man would have on those who knew what he was like in the past. What does the Bible say in the following verses about reaching those close to us?
2 Timothy 1:5 (NLT2)
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
John 1:40-46 (NLT2)
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). 43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
1 Peter 3:15 (NLT2)
15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
Are you aware of a family member or close friend who doesn’t know Christ? If so, how can this group pray for them?
3. While the freed man could have thought he wasn’t worthy to be used by Jesus, nothing could have been further from the truth. He had a story worth telling! Why? Because Jesus was the hero of his story! If Jesus has changed you, you have a story that someone else needs to hear. How does Jesus want to use us in the lives of others according to the following passages?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT2)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT2)
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
John 4:28-30, 39-42 (NLT2)
28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. …. 39 Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” 40 When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, 41 long enough for many more to hear his message and believe. 42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world.”
Who told you about Jesus?
What keeps you from telling more people you know about the way that Jesus has changed you?
What steps can you take to gain more boldness in your witness?
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
