Creativity in the Lives of Four Friends Read Mark 2:1–12 as a family, and answer the following questions: 1. Because their friend could not walk, what method did the four friends use to bring him to Jesus? “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four” (Mark 2:3). What problem is our family facing for which we need a creative solution?
3. What did Jesus see in the men that motivated their creativity? “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). What motivates you to be creative? 4. What were the scribes thinking? “But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:6–7). Do you make assumptions as the scribes did, or do you ask God for His perspective on the situations before you?
5. What was Jesus’ perspective on the man’s need? “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:10–11). As you read Scripture, do you seek to find God’s perspective on a need or situation you may have? 6. How did the people respond to seeing something new and unfamiliar? “And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” (Mark 2:12). Have you purposed to use your creativity to bring glory to God?
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2. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was but could not get through the crowd, what creative solution did they employ? “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (Mark 2:4). What obstacle is preventing you from achieving a goal? Have you asked God for a creative solution?