BIG IDEAS FOR FEBRUARY

JESUS I MIRACLES AND HEALING

To the Mighty Men and Women of Axis,

Hopefully as you read this, the weather is much warmer than it is today! This month we
will be studying Jesus' healing and miracles. The miracles Jesus performed while he
walked the earth served to prove his unique role in creation, as one who holds authority
over physical health, the spiritual realm, nature, and even death itself. Our goal in
studying miracles and healing is to better understand who Jesus is, what He has done
for us, and how we can be like Him in our communities.

We realize that this topic has some potential for difficult, intense, opinionated, or even
divisive conversations. Although we do our best to craft the curriculum in a way that
points us to Christ instead of our own opinions, we have included some very important
supplemental material for these difficult topics, including Willow Creek's statement of
belief on healings and spiritual warfare topics. As a representative of Axis and Willow
Creek Community Church, it is important that you know Willow's stance on these
subjects. We are hopeful t'tat"these additional materials a~ useful tools as we strive to
fall more in love with Christ and shepherd our communities.

As you enter into the month of February, we'd like to ask you to do two things: ( C-.,.
First, we encourage you to .meet early and pray specifjc~ that this curriculum be used -;."" ~
for God's glory. There is great potential for God to do healing work this month, and as r••.••
always, opportunities to share the Gospel. Since the conversation also has the potential ",.
to get caught up in past hurts, anger at God or the church, and divisions because of
differing opinions on healing, we are asking that you would pray very intentionally
this month. ~
about
~
tI ~~_
' --".r~
Second, don't be afraid to say you don't kJ1Qw!he answer to some questions. Some things
we may not understand-like ':hy doesn't God heal everyone, for example. Be willing to
talk about issues, but also ""illing to live in the tension of not having all the answers.

I am excited to see what will happen in your communities this month, and pray that we
would all come to know Jesus better as a healer and miracle worker! I
Mark Your Cal.endars:
,,-11" .
Conversations: Thursday, February
Axis Experience: Friday, March s"
zs"

~ ".~~
Amy and Kimberly
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Framing Question What’s the Big Idea?
 Do you think healings happen only by faith? Jesus healed the sick of the
land. As the body of Christ,
What Does Scripture Say? (Head) we are to also have faith that
Have 2 volunteers read Mark 5:25-34. our Creator is drawing us to
 What stands out to you in this passage? wholeness and healing.
 Read Malachi 4:2. The word “wings” in Malachi is the same word uses in Mark
to describe the part of the robe that the woman grabbed on Jesus, the tassel Truth:
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of his robe. What does this say about the woman’s faith? Who did she Mark 5:25-34
believe Jesus was? …a woman was there who
 Read Leviticus 15:25-27 and 31. What does this show about the bleeding had been subject to bleeding
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woman’s role in the Jewish community? for twelve years…When she
heard about Jesus, she came
Which Means What? (Heart) up behind him in the crowd
 Read John 5:1-15. Does it seem like this man was healed because of his faith?
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and touched his cloak,
 Do you think this man was fully healed? Why or why not? because she thought, "If I
 What role does faith have in the healings we’ve read about? just touch his clothes, I will
 Why do you think Jesus healed people? Read John 11:4. How does this shed be healed." Immediately her
light on the conversation? bleeding stopped and she
felt in her body that she was
 Jesus follows up the healing with a conversation. Why does he do this?
freed from her suffering. At
 When praying for healing, how do you handle the fear that God might choose once Jesus realized that
not to heal you physically? power had gone out from
 The Bible reader’s companion commentary states that faith does not him. He turned around in the
guarantee healing and healing can take place apart from faith, but faith does crowd and asked, "Who
cause us to appeal to Jesus and rely on Him. Faith brings us to Jesus and He touched my clothes?" "You
works wonders in our lives. Do you agree with this idea? see the people crowding
 How do we wrestle with the desire for all things to be right in this world when against you," his disciples
clearly there is pain and sickness? Does it cause you to pull back from prayer, answered, "and yet you can
or lean into prayer? ask, 'Who touched me?' "
 Read Revelation 21:4. How does this offer hope to those in physical pain today? But Jesus kept looking
 In Jesus’ day, sickness and physical ailments were some of the most pressing around to see who had done
hurts in the world. In our day, when there is advanced medicine and contact it. Then the woman, knowing
lenses, are there other areas in which we are most in need of healing? what had happened to her,
came and fell at his feet and,
How Does This Change My Life? (Hands) trembling with fear, told him
 Do you believe Jesus can bring healing to your life? Do you live like you the whole truth. He said to
believe Jesus can heal any part of your life? her, "Daughter, your faith
 Are there areas in which you would like to grow in your trust in God? has healed you. Go in peace
 It seems that the woman in the story trusted God for an obscure promise that and be freed from your
the messiah would have healing in the tassels of his robe, and she had enough suffering."
faith to act on it. What promises from scripture can we trust God for?
 Our communities are places meant to be expressions of God’s love in this Details, Details…
world. In what ways can we bring healing to those in our communities?  The Axis community will be
sitting together in section
Stretch Activity 208/209 for all three weekend
services. Come sit with us at
One way we can grow our faith is through prayer. Attached is a list of some promises
any service!
of God from the scriptures. Hand out the list to everyone in your community or read  Interested in serving on the
each one aloud. Have people choose one that stands out to them as one they need to weekends as a greeter?
hear and believe. This week, make that promise your prayer and put it somewhere you Please email
will remember to pray it continually. Next week, check in to see how God has moved athomas@willowcreek.org.
in peoples lives.
1. A Note about the Word “Wings”

The Hebrew word for “wings” used in Malachi is Kanaph, which means the wings of a bird and/or the corner of a
garment with a tassel on it. This type of garment was worn by all believing Jews, certainly Jesus. It is highly likely
the woman knew this scripture in Micah, and knew that the messiah would have healing in his tassels—and so she
specifically grabbed hold of them with faith that she would be healed.

2. The Woman and Community:

“If this woman touched anyone or anyone’s clothes, she rendered that person ceremonially unclean for the rest of
the day (cf. Lev 15:26–27). Some uncleanness was unavoidable, but it was inconvenient to fulfill the required bath,
and men avoided uncleanness when they could. Because she rendered unclean anyone she touched, she should
not have even been in this heavy crowd. Later Jewish tradition made this danger even more serious than Leviticus
had so many teachers avoided touching women altogether, lest they become accidentally contaminated. Thus she
could not touch or be touched, was probably now divorced or had never married, and was marginal to Jewish
society.”

Keener, C. S., & InterVarsity Press. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (Mk 5:26-27).Downers Grove,
Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

3. Is there a connection between faith and healing?

“Jesus clarified the relation between his power and the woman’s faith. She was not healed impersonally, but upon
the meeting of her personal faith with Jesus’ personal power. This stands in great contrast to the pagan concepts
of impersonal divine power.”

Hughes, R. B., & Laney, J. C. (2001). Tyndale concise Bible commentary. Rev. ed. of: New Bible companion. 1990.;Includes index.
The Tyndale reference library (430). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

Mark emphasizes the role of faith in benefiting from Jesus’ wonder-working powers. This does not mean that faith
guarantees healing or that healing cannot take place apart from faith. Note that there is no mention of faith in the
story of the deliverance of the demon–possessed man, just above. What faith does do is cause us to appeal to
Jesus and to rely on Him. It’s faith that brings us to Jesus. It’s Jesus who works wonders in our lives.

Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic
ed.) (637). Wheaton: Victor Books.
 1. What are miracles?
“A miracle is a less common kind of God’s activity in which He arouses people’s awe and wonder and bears
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witness to Himself. ”

2. Why doesn’t God always heal people?

“As Christians we have to face the fact that this, and other difficult questions don't have easy answers. We are
told that in spite of what we see, God is in control, that the answers are sometimes beyond us, that we need to
trust God, that these things are the result of sin in the world and that God is letting it have its course, etc. Though
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these answers are all true, they do not always comfort because our pain sometimes over-rides our faith. “

The truth is, we don’t always see God’s purposes as He works in this world. We do know, however, that He hears
all our prayers, loves us, and works out things for the good of those who love Him. We must cling to the truths
that we know about God, the truths that are in scripture when we feel confused as to why God didn’t heal
someone. We can also ask Him about it, tell him our confusion and hurt, and invite Him to work in our hearts
through this.

If you are sick, pray and ask the Lord to heal you. Expect healing and don't doubt, but understand that the healing
you may get could be through miraculous intervention by God, or the natural healing of your own body, and/or
the work of a doctor who might use surgery and/or medicine. Either way, God is the one who miraculously works
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and who also has gifted people to be able to perform their healing work .

3. What role does faith play in healing?

In Mark 5:34, Jesus says to a woman “your faith has saved you, go in peace. Again in Mark 10:52, Jesus says to the
man, “let it be done to you according to your faith.” Clearly there are occurrences when faith has an influence on
healing. Other occurrences include Jesus healing a paralytic because of his friends’ faith (Mark 2:1-12) and Jesus
healing a daughter because of her dad’s faith (Mark 5).

However, there are also instances where faith is not mentioned. When Jesus heals a demoniac in Mark 5, his faith
is not mentioned. A blind man gets healed in John 5, who it seems has no faith. In Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raises a little
girl from the dead without anyone asking. Also in Luke 8, Jesus calms the storm after telling the disciples they have
no faith.

So faith and healing do go together, but not always in a predictable way. Jesus knew he could rescue himself from
the Cross, and many others likely believed he could as well, but he chose not to because He knew it was for God’s
glory.
What faith does do is cause us to appeal to Jesus and to rely on Him. It’s faith that brings us to Jesus. It’s Jesus who
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works wonders in our lives.

4. Does God promise to heal us? What does God promise us?
He promises wholeness for eternity for those who trust in Jesus. Maybe our role in praying for healing is to help
people enter into and stay in relationship with God when circumstances give us every reason not to believe. Our
support for an individual may help them to believe in God when he doesn't feel very believable... which will lead
to healing for eternity.
There is a picture of this in Revelation 21. In eternity God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and all hurt and
crying will cease. This gives us hope and encouragement that whatever we suffer now, if we are God’s children by
the blood of Christ, that our sufferings will serve to bring Glory to God, and will eventually cease.

1
Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology (Inter-Varsity: Leicester, UK,1994).
2
http://www.carm.org/questions/other-questions/should-we-use-doctors-or-just-have-faith-god-will-heal
3
http://www.carm.org/questions/other-questions/should-we-use-doctors-or-just-have-faith-god-will-heal
4
Richards, L. O. (1991; Published in electronic form by Logos Research Systems, 1996). The Bible readers companion (electronic ed.) (637). Wheaton:
Victor Books.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us
from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

James 5:16 (NASV)

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

Psalm 32:7
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Isaiah 40:31(KJV)
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Job 17:9 (LB)

The righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

And he said to unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.

1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring
word of God.
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Framing Questions What’s the Big Idea?
 Did you experience God moving through the scripture you chose from last Jesus was aware of and
week to think and pray about? aggressively fighting against
 Do you think there is a “spiritual realm” that co-exists with our physical evil in the spiritual realm. As
world? Why or why not? his followers, He equips us to
be wise and actively stand
What Does Scripture Say? (Head) firm against Satan’s schemes.
 Read Mark 5:1-20 aloud in your community. What stands out to you about
this passage? Truth:
 Why do we never (or rarely) hear of people who are demon-possessed today? Mark 5:1-20
 If there was a man like the possessed man in our culture, what would be done “...the man went away and
with him? Do you think mental illness can have a spiritual aspect to it? began to tell in the Decapolis
 Do you think God can heal mental illness? how much Jesus had done
 Why do you think Jesus was able to command the demon to leave? for him. And all the people
were amazed.
 Why do you think Jesus healed this particular man?
Ephesians 6:10-18
Which Means What? (Heart)
Finally, be strong in the Lord
 Jesus also sends out his disciples to heal and cast out demons. When they
and in his mighty power. Put
return he says, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you
on the full armor of God so
authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power
that you can take your stand
of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits
against the devil's schemes.
submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke
For our struggle is not
10:18-20). Why does Jesus tell this to the disciples?
against flesh and blood, but
 Read Ephesians 6:12. Do you ever feel spiritually attacked?
against the rulers, against
 This man is set free from the bondage of Satan by Jesus’ healing power. We
the authorities, against the
have all experienced bondage in some ways—bondage to sin, bondage to
powers of this dark world
addiction, and bondage to other people’s opinion. Are there any ways Jesus
and against the spiritual
has set you free from bondage?
forces of evil in the heavenly
realms.
How Does This Change My Life? (Hands)
 Sometimes it is difficult to know how to act in regards to the spiritual realm, Details, Details…
but we need to be aware of Satan’s schemes. As a community, read through  Conversations: Thursday,
Ephesians 6:10-18. Go through each item talked about and talk about how Feb. 25 at 6:30. Make sure
you can apply each one to your life. Pay attention to what the item is, and to invite your leadership
what it protects and why. All these things have great significance in the team!
Christian life.  The Axis community will be
 What is the belt of truth? How do I hold to truth? sitting together in section
 What is the breastplate of righteousness? How do we clothe ourselves in 208/209 for all three
righteousness?
weekend services. Come
 What does it mean to wear shoes of readiness?
sit with us at any service!
 How do we use the sword of the Spirit?
 What is the helmet of salvation?  Interested in serving on
 Why is it important to pray at all times? How can we do this? the weekends as a
greeter? Please email
athomas@willowcreek.org.
 1. Does Satan really even exist?
Yes. The scriptures are clear that Satan is real. He is opposed to God and desires to keep all people from God. He
is a dangerous enemy of Christians (Lk 8:33; 1 Cor 7:5; 1 Pt 5:8), who must steadfastly resist him (2 Cor 2:11; Eph
6:11; Jas 4:7). Satan tempts (Jn 13:2; Acts 5:3), hinders God’s workers (1 Thes 2:18) and accuses (Rv 12:10). “Most
importantly, however, the NT teaches us that this being, who has been evil from the beginning (1 Jn 3:8), has now
been bound and cast out of heaven through the ministry of Jesus (Lk 10:18; Rv 12). While Satan is still a dangerous
enemy, Jesus himself prays for us and has given us the powerful weapons of prayer, faith, and the efficacy of his
blood. Satan can still cause physical illness when allowed by God (2 Cor 12:7), and persons can be delivered over
to him for punishment (1 Cor 5:5; 1 Tm 1:20).” Satan will always be under God’s sovereignty, who will eventually
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destroy him (Rom 16:20; Rv 20:10).

2. What is demonic oppression?

Demonic oppression is the work of evil spiritual forces that urge us to sin, to deny God's word, to feel spiritually
dead, and to be in bondage to sinful things. This oppressive work is performed by demons, which are fallen angels
who resist God, and who sinned (Jude 6). They war against God, against God's people, and against unbelievers as
well. Their goal is to bring as many people as possible into rebellion against God and condemnation in hell.

We must be very careful not to say that every negative thing we experience is demonic oppression. Sometimes
physical ailments are caused by lack of proper sleep, poor diet, germs, or disease. Spiritual deadness can be
brought on by the effects of physical problems, and sometimes our lack of emotional maturity can complicate our
understanding of God and result in us not being able to rest in Him. Many times people don't have demonic
oppression, and the reality is they just don't know how to control themselves, their anger, or their lusts. And as
far as financial situations go, we have to be careful that we’re not spending more than we take in and then
somehow blame our financial difficulties on demonic forces.

It is always a good idea to ask the Lord to bind the evil one on your behalf. We Christians have authority in the
name of Jesus Christ to resist evil and we are guaranteed the ultimate victory in Christ. But sometimes God allows
things happen to us, even demonic attacks, in order to test our faith and to purify it. Remember, in all our
struggles we are to be faithful and trust the Lord. So before assigning anything to demonic oppression, make sure
you're getting enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and that you are working to control your emotional
behavior. Then, after prayer, it would be time to consider demonic oppression if things in your life are unusually
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difficult.

Recommended reading on these topics:

The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey

Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan

5
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (1168). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
6
http://www.carm.org/questions/about-demons/what-demonic-oppression
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What Does Scripture Say? (Head) What’s the Big Idea?

 Read John 11:17-44. What stands out to you in this passage? Jesus has authority over all
creation including health,
 Why do you think Jesus waited to go to Bethany?
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nature, and even death itself.
 What do you think Jesus means when He says that Lazarus’ death will be for Like the story of Lazarus, God
God’s glory? How did it glorify God? offers resurrection from the
dead to all who would trust in
 Why does Jesus raise Lazarus? (see John 11:5, 36, and 4) Jesus.

Truth:
Which Means What? (Heart)
John 11:41-44
 In this story, Martha, Mary and those around them do not believe that Jesus is So they took away the stone.
going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He tells them, "Did I not tell you that if Then Jesus looked up and said,
you believed, you would see the glory of God?” How do you think you would "Father, I thank you that you
have heard me. I knew that you
have reacted?
always hear me, but I said this
 We have studied how Jesus healed people physically, mentally, and now for the benefit of the people
healing death itself… what does this show about who Jesus is? standing here, that they may
believe that you sent me."
 Read Colossians 1:15-20. How does Jesus’ unique role in creation allow him to
When he had said this, Jesus
have authority over all aspects of humanity? called in a loud voice, "Lazarus,
 What gives Jesus authority over death? come out!" The dead man came
 What parallels do you see between this story and the life of a believer?
2 out, his hands and feet wrapped
with strips of linen, and a cloth
 Read Ephesians 2:1-10, letting the words really sink in, especially verses 4-6. around his face. Jesus said to
How does this shed light on the discussion? them, "Take off the grave
 Lazarus was dead and then made alive. Believers also were dead and then are clothes and let him go."
made alive. For Lazarus, this was a very obvious change. Should it be for us? Colossians 1:15-20
What are examples of changes into new life you have seen in your life or the He is the image of the invisible
God, the firstborn over all
lives of others?
creation. For by him all things
were created: things in heaven
How Does This Change My Life? (Hands) and on earth, visible and
 How might your life be different if you really believed Jesus has authority over invisible, whether thrones or
powers or rulers or authorities;
all things (including sickness, mental health, and death)? all things were created by him
 John 11:4 says that Lazarus’ sickness “is for God's glory so that God's Son may and for him. He is before all
be glorified through it,” Does this change the way your think about or pray for things, and in him all things hold
together. And he is the head of
healing?
the body, the church; he is the
 In the story of Lazarus, Jesus tells the community to help Lazarus out of his beginning and the firstborn
grave clothes. In what way do we need to help our communities walk into from among the dead, so that in
new life? everything he might have the
supremacy. For God was
pleased to have all his fullness
dwell in him, and through him
to reconcile to himself all things,
whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making
peace through his blood, shed
on the cross.

Details, Details…
 Conversations:
Thursday Feb. 25 at 6:30--
Make sure to invite your
leadership team!
 Axis Experience:
March 5 in Café Twenty, 7:30
1. Why did Jesus wait?

“Lazarus had been dead four days (11:17). This notation was extremely important to those familiar with Jewish
burial customs. The general belief was that the spirit of the deceased hovered around the body for three days in
anticipation of some possible means of reentry into the body. But on the third day it was believed that the body
lost its color and the spirit was locked out. Therefore the spirit was obliged to enter the chambers of Sheol (the
place of the dead). The passing of the third day, therefore, signaled the conclusion of the last modicum of hope for
the mourners.”

Borchert, G. L. (2001, c1996). Vol. 25A: John 1-11 (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American
Commentary (354). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2. The commentary below offers a cool perspective on how the story of Lazarus as a live allegory to the
Christian life. We would encourage you to read this as a help for your leadership team, but not necessarily to
study it all in hub.

I. Lazarus Was Dead

The unsaved person is not just sick; he or she is spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1–3; Col. 2:13). When a person is
physically dead, she does not respond to such things as food, temperature, or pain. When a person is spiritually dead,
he does not respond to spiritual things. She has no interest in God, the Bible, Christians, or church until the Holy Spirit
begins to work in her heart. God warned Adam that disobedience would bring death (Gen. 2:15–17)—physical death
(the separation of the soul from the body) and spiritual death (the separation of the soul from God). Revelation 20:14
calls hell the second death, that is eternal death. What sinners dead to God’s ways need is not education, medicine,
morality, or religion; they need new life in Jesus Christ.
II. He Was Decayed (11:39)
There are three resurrections recorded in the Gospels, apart from that of our Lord Himself. Christ raised a
twelve-year-old girl who had died (Luke 8:49–56), a young man who had been dead several hours (Luke 7:11–17), and
an older man who had been in the tomb four days (John 11). …One person cannot be “more dead” than another. The
only difference lay in the degree of decay. Is this not true of sinners today? The moral church member is not
“decayed” like the person on skid row, but he is still dead.
III. He Was Raised and Given Life (11:41–44)
The sisters’ Jewish friends could only sympathize and weep; it took Christ to give the man life. How did Christ
give him life? By the power of His word. This is the way He raised all three dead people mentioned above (see John
5:24 and Eph. 2:1–10). Why did Christ raise Lazarus? Because He loved him (v. 5 and v. 36) and because it brought
glory to God (v. 4). This is why He has saved us. We deserve to die and go to hell, but because of His great love, He
rescued us. (Read again Eph. 1:3–14 and 2:1–10.)
Keep in mind that salvation is not a set of rules; it is life (John 3:14–21, 36; 5:24; 10:10; 1 John 5:10–13). This life
is a Person—Jesus Christ. When dead sinners hear the voice of the Son of God (the Word) and believe, they are given
eternal life (John 5:25). To reject that Word is to be dead forever.
IV. He Was Loosed (11:44)
Lazarus was bound hand and foot and so could not free himself. The believer is not to be bound by the
graveclothes of the old life, but should walk in the freedom of the new life. Read carefully Col. 3:1–17 to learn how
the Christian is to “put off” the graveclothes and “put on” the “grace clothes” of the new life. It is a poor testimony
for a Christian to carry with him the things of the old life.
V. He Witnessed to Others (11:45)
In John 11:45 and 12:9–11 and 17, we see that Lazarus caused quite a stir in the area! People saw him and
believed in Christ! In fact, he was a walking miracle, just as every Christian ought to be (Rom. 6:4). The great crowd
that gathered on Palm Sunday came not only because of Jesus, but also because of Lazarus. In 12:11 we are told that
Lazarus was causing people to trust Christ, but this kind of witness is the privilege and duty of every Christian.”

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1992). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (237). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
 In his life, Jesus healed the sick of the land. We also can have faith
that our Creator is drawing us to wholeness and healing.

Mark 5:25-34 Malachi 4:2

A large crowd followed and pressed around him. Revelation 21:4
And a woman was there who had been subject to John 11:14
bleeding for twelve years … she thought, "If I just
touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately
her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that
she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus
realized that power had gone out from him. He
turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who Axis is now sitting in
touched my clothes?" … Then the woman, section 208/209 for all
knowing what had happened to her, came and fell three services! If you are
at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the interested in volunteering
whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith at a service, email
has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from avancleef@willowcreek.org
your suffering."

Jesus was aware of and fought evil in the spiritual realm. As his
followers, He equips us to be wise and actively stand firm against Satan’s schemes.

Mark 5:1-20 Luke 18:10-13

… a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs Ephesians 5:1-11
to meet him … No one was strong enough to Romans 7:15-8:1
subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and
in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with
stones … Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this
man, you evil spirit!" … The demons begged Jesus,
"Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into
them." He gave them permission, and the evil Axis is now sitting in
spirits came out and went into the pigs … [The section 208/209 for all
people] saw the man who had been possessed by three services! If you are
the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in interested in volunteering
his right mind; and they were afraid ... Then the there email
people began to plead with Jesus to leave their avancleef@willowcreek.org
region …
 Read Mark 5:25-34. What stands out to you?
 Read Leviticus 15:25-27 and 31. What does this scripture
show us about this woman’s role in the Jewish
community?

 What do you think Jesus’ purpose was for healing

people? Read John 11:4. How does add to the
conversation?
 When praying for healing, how do you handle the fear
that God might choose not to heal?
 How do we wrestle with the desire for all things to be
right in this world when faced with pain and sickness?
 Read Revelation 21:4. How does this shed light on
healings?
 In Jesus’ day, sickness and physical ailments were some
of the most pressing hurts in the world. In our day, when
there is advanced medicine and contact lenses, what are
some of the areas we are most in need of healing?

 Do you believe Jesus can bring healing to your life? Do

live like you believe Jesus can heal you in all parts of your
life?
 Are there areas that you would like to grow in your trust
in God? What are they?

 Do you think there is a “spiritual realm” that co-exists

with our world? Why or why not?
 Read Mark 5:1-20. What stands out to you?
 Why do you think Jesus was able to command the
demon to leave?
 What do you think Jesus’ purposes were in healing this
particular man?
 Read Luke 10:18-20. Why does Jesus tell this to the
disciples?
 Read Ephesians 5:12. Do you ever feel spiritually
attacked?
 This man is set free from the bondage of Satan by Jesus’
healing power. We also have all experienced bondage
in some ways—bondage to sin, bondage to addiction,
and bondage to other people’s opinion. Are there any
ways Jesus has set you free from bondage?
 Sometimes it is difficult to know how to act in regards to
the spiritual realm, but we need to be aware of Satan’s
schemes. As a community, read through Ephesians
6:10-18. Go through each item talked about and talk
about how you can apply each one to your life. Pay
attention to what the item is, and what it protects and
why.
 Jesus has authority over all creation, even death itself. Like the
story of Lazarus, God offers resurrection from the dead to all who trust in Jesus.

John 11:17-44 Colossians 1:15-20

… So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked Ephesians 2:1-10
up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have
heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I
said this for the benefit of the people standing
here, that they may believe that you sent me."
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud
voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came Conversations:
out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6:30.
linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to Make sure to invite your
them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." leadership team!

Axis Experience:
March 5 at 7:30!
 Read John 11:17-44. What stands out to you?
 What do you think Jesus means when He says that Lazarus’
death will be for God’s glory? How did it glorify God?

 Read Colossians 1:15-20. How does Jesus’ unique role in

creation allow him to have authority over humanity?
 What parallels do you see between the story of Lazarus and
the life of a believer?
 Read Ephesians 2:1-10. How does this add to the discussion?
 How does Jesus’ death and resurrection make it possible for
those who believe in Jesus to have new life?
 Lazarus was dead and then made alive. Believers also were
dead and then make alive. For Lazarus, this was a very obvious
change. Should it be for us? What are examples of changes
into new life you have seen in your life or the lives of others?

 Would you live your life differently if you really believed Jesus
has authority over all things (including death)?
 If healing “is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified
through it (v. 4),” does this change the way you think or pray
about healing?
 Jesus tells the community to help Lazarus out of his grave
clothes. In what way do we need to help our communities
walk into new life?