JESUS AND THE HALF-BELIEVER Mark 9:17-27
BACKGROUND: The boy in this passage is possessed by an evil spirit. He does not suffer from epilepsy, even though the symptoms seem similar. An evil spirit cannot dwell in the heart of a baptized Christian who believes in Jesus since the Holy Ghost is already there. According to the Gospel of Luke, the boy was the only child of his parents (Luke 9:38).
1.
• Try to imagine what the life of the father had been like after his son had been possessed by the evil spirit (verses 17-18, 20-22).
• What were the parents’ relationship with each other, with their neighbors and with God possibly like?
• Which healing methods had the parents perhaps resorted to?
• What had the boy’s life been like compared to that of his peers?
2.
• What may have been the hardest thing for the father in a situation described in verses 14-18? What about for the son?
3. Who was Jesus referring to by the unbelieving generation that he found very hard to bear (verse 19)?
• Why did Jesus find people’s unbelief unbearable in this situation in particular?
4.
• Why did the father include himself in his plea: "Have pity on us and help us!" (Verse 22)
5.
• In verse 23, it seems as if Jesus is demanding unwavering faith of the father. Why did he do this?
• How would you feel if somebody demanded perfect faith of you when you were already feeling bad?
6.
• What did the father believe about Jesus, and what did he doubt when he cried out the words in verse 24?
• What do you believe and doubt when you are calling out to Jesus to help in the problems of your loved ones?
7.
• Was the father’s cry a sign of faith or unbelief? Justify your answer.
• When did the father become a believer? Discuss different possibilities.
8.
• Why did Jesus help this family even though neither the father nor the son had unwavering faith?
• Whose faith was this miracle based on?
• How much faith is needed for Jesus to help you and your loved ones in your troubles?
9.
• The father may have thought that his son was dead when he lay unmoving on the ground (verse 26). Why did Jesus allow the father to experience this moment of horror as well?
• What might not the father have learned if the help had been given the moment he asked?
• Why does Jesus sometimes allow us to end up on the verge of despair before he intervenes?
10.
• “Jesus took his hand and helped him, and he stood up.” (Verse 27) Insert here the name of the person who you are most worried about right now. What does this sentence mean to you?
GLAD TIDINGS: When Jesus was tortured by wicked people and the devil, he put his trust in the power and love of his Heavenly Father without a hint of doubt. Because of his faith, we too can receive help from God for ourselves and our loved ones, regardless of our doubts. What does this fact mean to you?
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