30 Days In The Gospel Of MarkSample

Thought:

When you are sick for a very long time, it is hard to not get discouraged and lose all hope. Not only was this bleeding woman going through great physical suffering, but her bleeding also would have made her an outcast, considered “unclean” by her community. There were rules in the Old Testament about ‘cleanness’ and ‘uncleanness’ to help the Israelites keep themselves holy so they could be with God. One of the rules was that if you were bleeding, you were unclean. If you were unclean, no other Jew who kept the law would have any contact with you. This woman probably lived as a social outcast. For twelve years, she was very sick and likely had no friends. She was so desperate she had spent all her money on doctors, but they were unable to help her. In her desperation, she touched the corner of Jesus’ robe because she knew He could heal her and make her clean. Jesus did not care about ceremonial laws. He healed the woman even though other people thought she was unclean. Jesus has great compassion on the sick. He does not overlook anybody, even if everybody else does.

1. How was the bleeding woman healed of her disease?

2. How did Jesus respond to being approached by the woman with her suffering?

3. What does Jesus say healed the woman?

4. What is something you may ask Jesus for in faith today?

Engage:

Sometimes approaching God can feel scary because He is so powerful or because we feel unworthy. But God invites us to come to Him with all our troubles! Yesterday we thought about some “storms” going on in our lives right now. Write down a few ways you can come to God in prayer and ask for His healing or help in these situations.

Deeper Waters:

Read Mark 5:21-43. What do you notice about how Jesus was willing to be interrupted by the poor bleeding woman to heal her?