The Theology of Waiting
Sermon Notes
As he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath, a woman was there who had been disabled by a spirit for over eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free of your disability.” Then he laid his hands on her, and instantly she was restored and began to glorify God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, responded by telling the crowd, “There are six days when work should be done; therefore come on those days and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you untie his ox or donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and lead it to water? Satan has bound this woman, a daughter of Abraham, for eighteen years—shouldn’t she be untied from this bondage on the Sabbath day?” When he had said these things, all his adversaries were humiliated, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he was doing.
- Luke 13:10-17
Table Group Resources
Mixer
If you had to teach a class on one thing, what would you teach?
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In the 2/21/23 entry, Righteous God, Pastor Pam points out the perfect righteousness of God - and our inability to be righteous no matter how hard we try. But what is the Good News in this statement: God sees you and approves of you! How can that be? As we draw closer to Easter, take some time this week to really hone in on Jesus’s death and resurrection. What are some gaps in your understanding? Seek out wise counsel to help you overcome any obstacles to believing the Good News. We’re here for you!
In the 2/25/23 entry, Influence The Influenced, Som closes out with this statement: May God give you the strength and courage to live unapologetically as who He made you to be and to share your faith with the world! What does “unapologetically” mean to you? What is one thing you can do today to start to live your faith unapologetically, instead of pulled in two different directions as Som described often happens in our faith journey? What is holding you back?
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: Luke 13:10-17
In this scripture passage, it is noted the woman at the synagogue was “crippled by a spirit for eighteen years” (verse 11, NIV) and whom “Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years” (verse 16, NIV). This woman’s affliction was physical – being bent over – but afflictions can be mental or spiritual as well. Do you have any affliction you feel Satan has bound you to or tethered you with? How long have you been struggling to free yourself from the affliction?
Pastor Sean stated there was nothing the woman could do about her affliction. Despite living a presumably normal life up until 18 years ago, she was now powerless over her circumstances. Can you imagine any conditions in this world today which might meet these criteria? Do you know people currently sitting in a similar scenario? How are they handling their affliction?
Pastor Sean reminded us that waiting can be difficult and painful. What is something you’ve been waiting on the Lord for? What has been your posture during the wait?
Waiting reveals that our true identity is in Christ and deepens our spiritual intimacy. However, in our waiting, we can either fight against God or with God. Share what possible outcomes may come from these.
Read Luke 13:10-17. We have several hints from Jesus about how this woman handled her affliction. In verses 12 and 13, how does Jesus respond to seeing her? In verse 16, how does Jesus refer to her? Based on these verses, what do you think Jesus thought of this woman’s faith and how she has dealt with her circumstances?
Do you have any circumstance into which Jesus could be invited? More than likely, you’re prepared for him to heal you, but are you equally prepared for him to challenge you and offend you in order to heal you? Pray for God to open your heart and mind to both of these possibilities in order to experience the full power of His transformation.
Serve
Youth Wellbeing | Meal Packing | Mar 11th
Come join us for a family-friendly meal packing event benefiting the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program.
Head here to Serve in the Community.
Pray
Please pray for the 12 families who decided to be Go First leaders in their family and dedicated their children to the LORD this Sunday! Pray for the parents to remain steadfast in their faith, to be protective shepherds of their family, and to be inspired and refreshed daily to lead their children to the Way, in Truth, and to Life. May their children come to know and love Jesus with an adoration unmatched by anything the world can offer.
Jesus answered,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
