UNVEILED, September 20, 2009

Opening:
Welcome new comers. Play an “ice breaker.” Review the Connection Group Commitment if necessary.

Reflection: Have you ever had an experience where you got more than you expected? Or, maybe you’ve had that more common experience, you didn’t get what you wanted, but you got what needed. Share a few stories.

Now get into the text- read Mark 2:1-12.

Digging Deeper:
Have you ever hoped for a miraculous healing, for yourself or for someone else? What specifically did you want God to do? Did it happen? If so, how.
If not, what did that do to you r faith? What happened to you or the person for whom you wanted healing?

In the story the friends have great faith in Jesus, and were willing to go to an extreme to bring their friend to him. To what lengths have we gone to bring a friend to Jesus?

When Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven,” we know how the teachers felt, but what about the man, his friends, the crowd? What do you think they were thinking?

Let’s get into this issue of sin. What is sin? Is the forgiveness of our sins really the harder thing? Is it really our greatest need? Really work this one over in the group.

Now let’s get into the issue of our sin. Do we feel we need forgiven? Have you accepted the forgiveness Jesus offers?

Now let’s directly compare our lives. How has Jesus meet a felt need in your life that confirms his power to meet your deepest need of forgiveness?

If you had to compare yourself to one of these people/groups, who would it be and why- the paralytic, his friends, the crowd, or the teachers of the law? Have you always been in this group, or has your view changed recently?

Closing:
What are your felt needs right now? Share as much as you are comfortable, so that this group may take your need to Jesus in prayer with you.

Set a date now to volunteer at the London Food Bank! Think about whom you might invite to your group.
Review the announcements from worship- Volunteer Round-up, Volunteer Opportunities, the 100th Service Celebration.