2. WHEN THE WORST POSSIBLE THING HAPPENS (Mark.5:21-24, 35-43)

1. Imagine the everyday life of this small family after the long awaited child was born. (How did the parents react when the child was a girl, not a boy? What kind of dreams did they now have for the future of their daughter?)
    
2. What may happen to the relationship between the parents when their child becomes ill? Think of various possibilities.
   • What may Jairus have thought about God after his daughter had taken ill?
      
3. Why did Jairus consent to ask help from a man whom all his friends and relatives disliked?
   • How did Jairus feel about Jesus at this point, judging from the way he addressed him (22-23)?
      
4. Imagine how the father felt when he heard the bad news from home (35)?
   • If you have ever felt that it is no use bothering Jesus any more, when did it happen?
      
5. Why did Jesus tell Jairus not to fear even though the worst possible thing had happened to him (36)?
   • What could Jairus have believed even after the girl had died?
   • What would Jairus have done, if he hadn’t believed in Jesus at all?
      
6. What are you most afraid of in the world? (You can answer in your heart.)
   • How would you react if Jesus told you not to be afraid when the worst possible thing had just happened to you?
   • Jesus tells you today: “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” What do these words mean to you in your present situation?
      
7. The wife of Jairus had seen her child die while her husband was away. What do you think was her mental state when Jesus and her husband came into the house?
   • Funeral preparations were already underway when Jesus arrived in the house of Jairus (38). What did Jesus want to say to the guests through his words recorded in verse 39?
      
8. Read carefully how Jesus raised the girl from the dead (41-43). Which details do you find especially interesting?
    
9. Why did Jesus give strict orders not to tell anyone about this miracle, although it would have been good advertisement for his ministry (43)?
    
10. What impact may this incident have had on the girl herself? How did it affect her future?
    • How did the life of the parents perhaps change after this incident?
    • What do you think this family thought about the rumors concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus when they heard them after it all had taken place?