Be real about what’s not right

Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” MARK 10:46-48 NLT

Follow the doctor’s orders

When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. MARK 10:49-50 NLT

Boldly ask God for what you need

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” MARK 10:51 NLT
You do not have, because you do not ask. JAMES 4:2 NLT

Change the direction of your life

And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. MARK 10:52 NLT

To change my life, I need to…

See myself as God sees me

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. LUKE 11:34 ESV
I am valuable to God

Learn to relax

So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. ECCLESIASTES 11:10 NLT
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. PROVERBS 14:30 NLT
Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong. ISAIAH 56:2 NLT

Take care of my body

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19 NLT
Physical training is good… 1 TIMOTHY 4:8 NLT
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit… EPHESIANS 5:18 NLT

Surround myself with people who encourage me

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 JOHN 2 NLT
Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. PROVERBS 16:24 NLT
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. PSALM 72:26 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. As you think about the concept of health, what are some of the first things to come to your mind?
2. Do you find it easy or easy or difficult to be real about your health? What is it that causes you to feel that way?
3. Read Mark 10:51. If Jesus asked you the same question, what would you say to him? What areas are in need of increased health (physical, spiritual, emotional, relational, mental)?
4. How does God see you? How do you see yourself? How do you think seeing yourself as God sees you can improve your health?
5. Who do you have in your life that is a positive influence on your health? Negative influence on your health?
6. What is one thing that you start or stop doing to help live a more balanced, healthy life and how can we help?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Read through Mark 10:46-52 slowly, paying attention to what Bartimaeus might have been thinking and feeling. Spend a few minutes reflecting on what you might feel if you were in his position. Is there something that you would ask God for (e.g. healing, a sense of worth, courage)? To what extent do you feel, like Bartimaeus, that you have spent time waiting beside the road? Now, imagine that you have just heard that Jesus is near you. Will you cry out to him? As you move through your week, reopen this conversation with God and ask him for what you need.