Sermon Discussion Guide 2-2-25

Sermon Discussion Guide
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit | Part Four | A Special Look: The Gift of Healing | 1 Corinthians 12:4-31

Opening Prayer

Opening Questions:

• What stood out to you from today's sermon?
• Have you ever thought about spiritual gifts as a continuation of Jesus' work? How does that change your perspective on their purpose?

Luke 5:12-14

• What do you notice about Jesus' response to the leper? How does Jesus' approach to healing differ from the way the world might respond to someone who is marginalized or in need?
• Why do you think Jesus tells the man to go to the priest after healing him? What does this teach us about restoration and community?

Principle 1: Healing is a sign of the Kingdom of God.

• Reflect on this quote: [The miracles of Jesus] “lead not simply to cognitive belief, but to worship, to awe, and wonder. Jesus’ miracles, in particular, were never magic tricks, designed only to impress and coerce. You never see him say something like: ‘See that tree over there? Watch me make it burst into flames!’
  Instead, he used miraculous power to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and raise the dead. Why? We modern people think of miracles as the suspension of the natural order, but Jesus meant them to be the restoration of the natural order. The Bible tells us that God did not originally make the world to have disease, hunger, and death. Jesus has come to redeem where it is wrong and heal the world where it is broken. His miracles are not just proof that he has power but also wonderful foretastes of what he is going to do with that power. Jesus’ miracles are not just a challenge to our minds, but a promise to our hearts that the world we all want is coming.” Tim Keller, in The Reason for God
  How does this shift your perspective on what healing is for?
• Why is it important to remember that healing is a “foretaste” of the Kingdom of God?

Principle 2: Healing is about more than our bodies.

• In the New Testament, the Greek word for healing and salvation is used interchangeably. To be saved is to be healed. How does this shift your perspective on healing?
• Have you ever experienced healing that wasn’t just physical but also emotional, relational, or spiritual?

Principle 3: Healing is for the glory of God.

• Why do you think Jesus often healed people in a way that pointed to God rather than seeking personal recognition?
• What does this teach us about the motivation behind healing?

Put this Into Practice

• Are there areas in your life (physical, emotional, spiritual) where you would like healing? Spend a few moments reflecting or sharing about any healing you may need.
• What does it look like to be a part of the healing ministry of Jesus in your everyday life? Do you feel called to pray for others' healing, or perhaps step out in faith to receive prayer for healing yourself?
• As a group, pray for healing for anyone who needs it.
  (Encourage the group to pray for each other or for any specific situations in their lives where they need healing.)

Closing Prayer