The Touch of Jesus

Session 6: Mark 5:21-6:6

Read Mark 5:21-6:6.

Discuss

Look closely at Mark 5:21–34. What did you notice about the woman’s attitude toward Jesus? How would you compare her confidence in him to the way the disciples viewed Jesus on the sea back in chapter 4?

What happened to her when she touched Jesus’s robe?

Next, examine Mark 5:35–43.

Notice Jesus’s words to the little girl’s father in verse 36. Often over the last few chapters, people have responded to their circumstances with fear, but Jesus faces it head on. With tender words of love, he calls the girl awake—out of death and into life. In the face of fear, Jesus is enough. No one is too far gone for Jesus.

How can knowing this truth impact your life?

In what ways can you regularly remind yourself that no one is beyond the healing love of Jesus? And how will that impact the way you treat those around you?

Look at Mark 6:1–6.

How do his hometown people receive Jesus after he teaches in their synagogue?

Note especially the end of verse 3: “And they took offense at him.” The word for “took offense” comes from skandalizo, where we get our word “scandal.” His words were scandalous to them.

Think about the possible objections you might have had (or maybe still do have) to Jesus. What objections to Jesus would you expect someone to have today?

Part of the road of discipleship includes sharing in Jesus’s mission. That means we’re going to be taking his gospel to other people. We’ll face the same rejections or acceptance that Jesus did.

What sort of opposition to Christ have you observed personally?Share your stories.

Now consider those opposed to Christ, or at least uninterested in him. In what ways does your relationship with him give you empathy and compassion for the lost?