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Why Couldn’t We Cast It Out?

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” MATTHEW 17:14-20 NLT

THE STRENGTH OF FAITH ISN’T IN HOW MUCH WE HAVE, BUT IN WHO WE’RE CONNECTED TO

JESUS INVITES ME TO:

NAME THE PLACES WHERE I FEEL POWERLESS

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” MATTHEW 17:19 NLT

MOVE FROM SELF-RELIANCE BACK INTO DEPENDENCE ON HIM

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5 NIV

For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets… 2 PETER 1:16-19 NLT

OFFER HIM MY SMALLEST TRUST, BELIEVING HE CAN WORK IN WHAT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” MARK 9:24 NIV

What feels impossible in my life right now that Jesus invites me to trust Him with?

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon and choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What’s your favorite Christmas song?
  2. START HERE: At this point in the Christmas season, how are you feeling?
  3. START HERE: What’s one thing you try to control when life feels unmanageable?

  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 17:14-20 NLT. Jesus said you only need faith as small as a mustard seed, yet his disciples didn’t have enough faith. Where does real, strong faith come from?
  5. KEEP GOING: Why do you think the disciples didn’t realize they had drifted from dependence? What does that “drift” look like in real life?
  6. KEEP GOING: Name a specific place in your life where you feel powerless.
  7. KEEP GOING: Read John 15:5 NLT. How does our connection to Jesus and our experience of God’s love impact our faith?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read 2 PETER 1:16-19 NLT. How does it help to know that even people who were close to Jesus had moments of doubt, failure, or fear?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: What feels impossible in your life right now that Jesus is inviting you to trust Him with? What would that trust look like?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: How could you practice abiding (remaining) in connection and dependence on Jesus this week?