The following outline and discussion questions have been prepared to accompany the sermon on September 9/10, “Stronger” (Mark 5:1–20). The questions can be used for discussion in small groups or for personal reflection.

Outline

1. Demons (vv. 1–13)
2. Villagers (vv. 14–17)
3. Disciple (vv. 18–20)

Main Point: Jesus can do what no one else can do. His mercy creates a mission—tell of what the Lord Jesus has done for you!

Discussion Questions

• How does Mark use patterns of threes to tell the story? Who are the characters? What do they ask Jesus? How does he respond to them?
• How does the story connect with the rest of chapter 5?
• How does the story connect with the stilling of the storm and Jesus’ statement that he must go to the “other side”? (Mark 4:35)
• How does the Old Testament background (especially Isaiah 65) help illuminate the mercy of Jesus?

Application Questions

• Tell the people in your small group how much mercy—what great things—the Lord Jesus has done for you.
• How does the fact that you have received mercy create a mission for you to tell others of that mercy? Are there specific people you are evangelizing? How can people pray for those efforts?
• How does this story connect with our “Fill These Cities: 25 by ’25” vision? Where do you specifically fit within the four components of the vision? (Components include strengthening the core, building the South Campus building, planting 25 churches, and engaging 25 unengaged people groups with the gospel.)

Prayer Focus
Pray for a grace to savor the mercy already shown and grace to testify about that mercy to others.