Summary
At the heart of Luke 5:17-26 lies a profound truth that transforms how we view our role in God’s kingdom: we are not just called to go, but to bring. This passage introduces us to a paralyzed man whose greatest need wasn’t physical healing, but spiritual restoration. What makes this story remarkable is the faith of those who carried him—friends who refused to let obstacles stop them from bringing someone to Jesus. Whether it was religious leaders debating theology while people remained broken, or crowds blocking the way, these men found a solution by literally tearing through the roof. Their persistence teaches us that bringing people to Jesus requires creative determination and unwavering faith in the gospel’s power. The most stunning moment comes when Jesus declares the man’s sins forgiven—revealing that our deepest brokenness is spiritual, not physical. We live in a world full of people on stretchers, paralyzed by sin, addiction, broken relationships, and purposelessness. The beautiful truth is that every one of us can participate in bringing others to healing. We don’t need special training or perfect words; we simply need faith that when people encounter Jesus, transformation happens. This isn’t reserved for ministry professionals—it’s the calling of every believer to look at those around us and recognize the divine appointments already surrounding us.
Key Scripture – Read Luke 5:17-26
Key Takeaways
- Divine Appointments Are Everywhere – In our natural circles of life, there are people who are spiritually broken and need Jesus.
- Faith Moves Obstacles – The friends of the paralyzed man didn’t let the crowd or religious leaders stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus.
- The Greatest Healing Is Spiritual – While physical healing is wonderful, the forgiveness of sins is the ultimate miracle.
- Everyone Can Bring Others to Jesus – This isn’t reserved for pastors or “super Christians”—every believer can participate.
- The BLESS Method Provides a Simple Framework:
- Begin with prayer
- Listen
- Engage
- Serve
- Share Jesus
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text (Luke 5:17-26)
- What obstacles did the men face in trying to bring their friend to Jesus? How did they overcome them?
- Why do you think Jesus said “your sins are forgiven” before healing the man physically?
- The text says Jesus saw “their faith” (plural). What does this tell us about the role of community in bringing people to Jesus?
Personal Reflection
- Who are the people in your “natural circles” (work, neighborhood, gym, coffee shop, etc.)? Name 2-3 specific people.
- Which part of the BLESS method comes most naturally to you? Which is most challenging?
- What obstacles keep you from bringing people to Jesus? (Fear of rejection? Too busy? Don’t know what to say? All Christian friends?)
Application
- The sermon mentioned that “not everybody I come into contact with is my assignment.” How can prayer help us identify who God is calling us to invest in?
- Discuss the statement: “When you listen to them, they will listen to you.” Why is listening so powerful in our culture today?
- The pastor shared how he engaged Shane through duck hunting. What hobbies or interests could you use to engage someone who needs Jesus?
Scripture Reference
- Luke 5:17 – Primary text about the paralytic being brought to Jesus
- Luke 5:17-26 The full account of the paralytic’s healing
- Matthew 20:29-34 – Jesus encounters two blind men on the roadside