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December 23, 2001, Matthew 4:23-25

Open It

1. How do you feel about doctors and hospitals?
2. If you could find the cure to any one disease, what illness would it be and why?

Explore It

3. What did Jesus do at the synagogues of this region? (4:23)
4. About what did Jesus preach? (4:23)
5. What activities was Jesus involved in during this ministry tour? (4:23)
6. How would you describe the publicity surrounding Jesus' ministry in Galilee? (4:24)
7. How did the masses react to the news of what Jesus was doing? (4:24)
8. What kind of physically and spiritually ill people sought out Jesus? (4:24)
9. What did Jesus do for the suffering individuals who came to Him? (4:24)
10. Jesus' audience grew to include people from what surrounding regions and cities? (4:25)
11. What did the people do after hearing Jesus and experiencing His healing touch? (4:25)

Get It

12. What assorted reactions do people have to life-threatening illnesses?
13. Which is worse in your opinion and why: to be physically ill, or to be spiritually sick?
14. In times of sickness, why do we often pray or seek spiritual help only as a last resort?
15. Why is it significant that Jesus was able to heal all the ailments people brought to Him?

Apply It

16. What can you do today to encourage someone who is ill?
17. What realistic step can you take this week to share the good news of Christ with a non-Christian friend?

Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of his ministry. Teaching shows Jesus' concern for understanding; preaching shows his concern for commitment; and healing shows his concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing authenticated his teaching and preaching, proving that he truly was from God.

Jesus soon developed a powerful preaching ministry and often spoke in the synagogues. Most towns that had ten or more Jewish families had a synagogue. The building served as a religious gathering place on the Sabbath and as a school during the week. The leader of the synagogue was not a preacher as much as an administrator. His job was to find and invite rabbis to teach and preach. It was customary to invite visiting rabbis like Jesus to speak.

Jesus preached the gospel--the Good News--to everyone who wanted to hear it. The gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has come, that God is with us, and that he cares for us. Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There's no sin or problem too great or too small for him to handle. Jesus' words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God.

Decapolis was a league of ten Gentile cities east of the Sea of Galilee, joined together for better trade and mutual defense. The word about Jesus was out, and Jews and Gentiles were coming long distances to hear him.

1. Taken from LESSONMaker © 1992-1996, NavPress Software, Used with permission.

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