Lean In // 5 minutes
What were all the different “crowds” at your High School and what were they known for? Did you associate with a specific crowd?
Leader Note: High School for many is a time when we try to find our way and our identity. Be it the band group, jocks, preps, cheerleaders or the academic over-achievers; our identity is often played out in the people we associate with.
Look Down // 10 minutes
Read Luke 5:12-16
What do you observe about the man with leprosy?
Sample answers may include…
- His leprosy was advanced, (likely covering his entire body) (v.12)
- His first reaction in seeing Jesus was worship (v.12)
- He is desperate for Jesus to heal him (v.12)
- He acknowledged Jesus as Lord (v.12)
- He believes Jesus can heal him as well as make him clean, restore him (v.12)
What do you observe about Jesus in this passage?
Sample answers may include…
- Jesus meets with those that others cast away (v.12)
- Jesus responds to worship and desperate prayer (v.12-13)
- Jesus has the power to heal and cleanse (v.13)
- Jesus instructs the man to show his healing to the priest as a way to confirm his healing and restore him back into society. His healing wasn’t just physical it was holistic. (v.14)
- People are drawn to Jesus’ power and teaching (v.15)
- Jesus maintains the discipline of prayer and rest (v.16)
Look Out // 10 minutes
Who are the social outcasts in today’s society?
Commentary: Perhaps even more painful than the physical condition of leprosy was the social stigma and labels that came with being a leper. Lepers were marginalized, isolated seen as outcast and labeled as unclean. They were not allowed to worship in the temple, be with their families, work or be out in public. Many of them were quarantined in colonies. If they did happen to appear in public they were required to announce their presence by saying… “unclean, unclean” to warn the public.
Sample answers may include…
- Those experiencing homelessness
- The mentally ill
- The poor
- The imprisoned, criminals
- Addicts
- Abusers
- Undocumented Immigrants
Look In // 20 minutes
When was a time you felt rejected or isolated?
How did you or how are you currently pursuing healing?
How might God be calling you to serve the rejected and isolated?
Live It Out // 5 minutes
What could change in us if we served the rejected and isolated? How would others be impacted?
Leader Note: One of our driving values for Life Groups at Mariners Church is that they would collectively and regularly serve people in need – our neighbors, our friends the poor marginalized and forgotten with the transformational love of Christ.
Next Steps: Use this time to talk about where your group is at in committing to an on going serve experience. With summer right around the corner this a great time to be more intentional in serving. You can view a full list of serve opportunities here… http://www.marinerschurch.org/irvine/outreach/about-outreach/calendar/