Theme
Own your weakness, and trust everything to your Lord.
Introduction | “He Descended into Hell”
1. Discussion | vv. 9–13
Don’t Tell It on the Mountain... or Anywhere Else!
Elijah (and Suffering) Must Come
2. Dispute | vv. 14–15
The “Back Nine”
The Amazed Crowd
The Skeptical Scribes
3. Distress | vv. 16–22
A Father, Son, and Unholy Ghost
“O Faithless Generation”
4. Declaration | vv. 23–24
“If You Can”?!
“I Believe; Help My Unbelief”
5. Destruction | vv. 25–27
When Everything Gets Worse
When the Devil Sees Jesus
When the Son Arose
6. Direction | vv. 28–29
Faith Seeking Understanding
Prayer and Fasting
Conclusion |Devotion to a Strong God
Discussion Questions
- List a few of the “parties” / perspectives in this passage. Which do you most resonate with, and why?
- What do the disciples ask Jesus on the way off the mountain? What is Jesus’ answer? See Mal. 4:5–6; Matt. 11:14, 17:13.
- What do Jesus, Peter, James, and John see when they return to the others? What details show the severity of the boy’s condition and the disciples’ inability?
- How would you describe the unamed father’s attitude toward Jesus? What do you commend? What might be problematic?
- What do you think v. 23 means? What does it not mean? cf. Mk. 14:36; Jn. 15:7.
- How does Jesus respond to the father’s faith in v. 25, and what is the result? How does this demonstrate both the power and the purpose of Jesus? See Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14–15; 1 Jn. 3:8.
- What is prayer? Why is it important? What steps can you take this week to increasingly seek the Lord through prayer?
