On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” —he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.” LUKE 5:17-26 ESV

We see outside

You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. JOHN 4:35 NLT
And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14 NIV

We carry hope

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. GALATIANS 6:2 NIV
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1 NASB

We are roof breakers

We are unseen

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. PHILIPPIANS 2:5-7 NIV
Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. MATTHEW 6:4b ESV

Community Group Discussion Questions

1. What are some problems that you have stopped seeing and become comfortable with?
2. Where have you stopped seeing spiritual needs in relationships around you (e.g. family, work, neighborhood, the world)?
3. Has God ever used you to carry hope for someone else and what was that like for you?
4. Has anyone ever been there to carry you in a time of burden or pain? What happened?
5. What challenges do you face in serving others and why?
6. To what extent do you want to be seen in your service to the church? Where does that come from in you?

Prayer Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to be alone with God. Thank Him for being there with you, even if it is hard to feel His presence. Ask Him to reveal to you one area that you need to serve someone in the coming week. You may already have an idea of what this might need to be, or you might need to ask Him to reveal something to you that you are avoiding. Picture yourself following through with it and pay attention to the things that make it difficult. Now picture that it is Jesus you are serving in that place. What difference does this make? Close your time of prayer by asking the Lord to remind you of this as you walk into the actual event.