Questions to get people talking (if people talk in the first minute they are likely to partipate more in the rest of the study. Especially important when on Zoom)

What has been your best lockdown meal?

How did people go with their hour with God?

READ: MATTHEW 9:1-8

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”

4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 Then the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.

Take 2 minutes to read over the passage:

1. The shock if this story, is that rather than outright dealing with the man’s disability, Jesus initially grants him forgiveness of sins, showing that sin is an even greater problem than paralysis.
   In what instances do we forget that sin is our greatest problem, and forgiveness our greatest need?
   

2. Often when we consider sharing Jesus with our friends and families, it can feel more like we are troubling them sharing with them the solution to their greatest need. Why do you think this is the case?

3. What would it look like for you to to take steps towards sharing Jesus with someone this week?

Despite the lockdown, as a church we are going into the second half of the year seeking every opportunity to share Jesus with people.

Jez will be running Alpha online on zoom starting next Monday 26th, Alpha has been a catalyst for many people coming to understand the Gospel. We already have a few signed up, but it would be a great opportunity to invite anyone to do it who might be interested in using the lockdown to explore faith.
Alpha consists of watching a video, and sharing in a discussion.
To get a sense of whether this would be something that you would invite to, watch the first section of the first weeks video together on zoom (to around 6:40)

Is there anyone who you could invite to this next week?

Pray In small groups
For any friends/ family/ coworkers you are hoping to have oppurtunites to share Jesus with.

For those who will be doing alpha next week.