2. A HEALTHY SOUL IN A HEALTHY BODY (Mark.2:1-12)

1. Imagine the everyday life of the paralyzed man. What kind of difficulties did he have to face? (What kind of care did the man need? How did his human relations change because of the illness? What were his plans/dreams for the future? What was the meaning of his life?)
   • Imagine the everyday life of the person who had to care for this paralyzed man. What would it be like?
      
2. In verse 5 it becomes clear that this man was a sinner. What sins can a person commit even when unable to move himself?
   • Discuss: Does an illness make us better or worse as human beings?
      
3. Who were the people who carried the paralyzed man? Discuss different possibilities.
   • What made these people as determined as verses 3-4 show them to be?
   • Imagine step-by-step starting from home what these people had to do in order to place their friend before Jesus. (What was easy, what was difficult?)
      
4. The friends had brought the paralyzed man to Jesus so that he could be healed. Why did Jesus first forgive him his sins instead? (Why did Jesus proceed in this order?)
   • What did the forgiveness of sins mean to the paralyzed man?
      
5. Imagine that you were bringing your worst problem to Jesus, and instead of solving it he says: "My son/ my daughter, your sins are forgiven!" Would you be sad or glad?
   • If you could choose, what would you take: a good conscience with your problems unsolved? Or your problems solved but with your conscience aching?
   • When the heart of the paralyzed man was lightened because his sins were forgiven, how did his attitude toward his illness change?
      
6. Whose faith is Jesus referring to in verse 5? Look carefully at the sentence structure.
   • At which moment did the paralyzed man start to believe in Jesus?
      
7. Answer the question that Jesus poses in verse 9. (What did it cost Jesus to heal the man? What did it cost him to forgive the sins of this man?)
    
8. This text is talking not only about faith but also about unbelief. Why didn't the teachers of law want to believe that Jesus was able to forgive sins?
    
9. How can we carry to Jesus our loved ones, who are not able or do not want to come to him by themselves? (Where can they meet Jesus?)
    
10. Jesus has led you to this Bible study in order to be able to say to you: "My son/ my daughter, your sins are forgiven." What do these words mean to you in your present situation?