The Man from the Tombs

Jesus Speaks to the Problem of Spiritual Bondage

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read Mark 5:1-17

1. One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
2. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

Request #1: Do Not Torture Me! – vs. 1-7

• How might the man have known Jesus was coming?
• Does the Bible say how this man became possessed with demons?
• Describe the effect demon possession had on this man, based on these verses.
  • What were his struggles and pains?
  • What were his losses?
  • What were his interactions with society?
  • What were his mindset and thoughts?
• What power did the demons have over this man? What did they cause him to do?
• This man was severely possessed by demons. Describe some other less-severe forms of spiritual bondage that may be more common.
• In what ways does spiritual bondage affect our lives?
• How might the man have known Jesus’ name?
• What did the man know about Jesus’ spiritual nature?
• What was the man’s first request to Jesus? Why might he have feared this?
• Were the man’s words his own, or from the demons?

Request #2: Send Us To The Pigs! – vs. 8-13

• Verse 8 (“come out of the man”) comes before verse 7 (“torment me not”) in the timeline of events.
  • What did the man do immediately prior to Jesus telling the unclean spirit to come out? (v. 6)
  • What power does the Devil have over our worship?
• Why did Jesus ask the man for his name? Did Jesus already know who he was?
• What is the importance of us knowing our identity?
• What name did the man give to Jesus, and what might the name mean?
• What was the request the demons made when they realized they were about to be cast out?
• Why might the demons have wanted to be sent into the herd of swine instead of an alternative?
• Why would they need permission from Jesus to go into them?
• How long did this miracle take?
• What happened to the swine after the demons left the man?
• Why do you think Jesus agreed to the demons’ plan?
• Minutes before, the pigs were alive and the man was spiritually dead. What was the scene now?
• What does this portion of the story tell us about Jesus’ authority in the spiritual world?
• How could Jesus’ authority in our lives be beneficial in our struggle against evil influences?

Request #3: Leave Us Alone! – vs. 14-17

• Is there any way to know what happened to the demons after the pigs died?
• How quickly did word spread about the demon-possessed man’s miracle?
• How long might it have been between the time of the man’s miracle and the time when the people came to Jesus?
• When the people arrived, what did they see? Describe the entire scene.
• How did the man’s condition now contrast with his condition prior?
• What was the emotion of the people when they came to confirm what had happened? Why would they have this feeling?
• How does this feeling also affect people today who need change from Jesus?
• What did they ask Jesus to do in response to this miracle? Why?
• Jesus came to bring life, but what did the people choose?
• Jesus came to bring freedom, but what did the people choose?
• Jesus came to bring light, but what did the people choose?
• Describe an example in your life when God did something good, but people were not happy about it.
• Why weren’t the people as concerned about the man’s wellbeing as for the pigs?
• Have you ever pushed Jesus away when He made you uncomfortable? Explain?
• When Jesus comes in to our life, what must go out?

Request #4: Let Me Go With You! – vs. 18-20

• As Jesus entered the boat, what did the man do?
• What was Jesus’ response to the man’s request?
• Jesus granted the request of the demons, and granted the request of the townspeople, but why didn’t he grant the request of the man?
• What does this tell us about our unanswered prayers?
• What good would come from the man staying behind? Who would benefit from this?
• What did Jesus tell the man to do for his friends?
• What do you think Jesus expects us to do when he performs a miracle for us?
• Can this story of the demon-filled man happen today?
• Can you think of an example of a changed life, where Jesus stepped in and changed everything? Please share.

Next Week’s Scriptures

The Man Who Would Be King: Jesus Speaks to the Problem of Frivolous Curiosity – Luke 23:1-12