Encountering Jesus: The Bleeding Woman

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the ninth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Bleeding Woman’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Luke 8:40-48DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 8:40-48 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How might you take a stand against the ways of evil this week? WARM-UP Have you been caught up in a surging crowd? How did that feel? Who or what has helped you through a complex situation (health or otherwise)? Read Luke 8:40-46 How is this situation similar and different to the healing of the Centurionʼs servant? (see Luke 6:1-3) What are the differences between Jairus and the woman with bleeding? Have there been times when you identify with Jairus or the woman in terms of approaching God? What medical condition does this woman face? Why is it so disabling? What has this woman tried so far? What have been the consequences? (see also Mark 5:25-26) Why couldnʼt this woman approach Jesus directly? What was the difference between Jesus and her other so-called ʻhealersʼ? What does this womanʼs actions tell us about her faith? How did Jesus heal the woman? Was the healing complete? How would this healing change her life? Have you experienced healing from Jesus? Share your experiences, if you are comfortable to do so. Read Luke 8:47-48Jesus stops on his way to heal a dying child. How would Jairus be feeling?Have you ever felt impatient with God?Why does Jesus ask the woman to identify herself in front of the crowd? How would it benefit her?Do you feel accepted by God as a son or daughter?If so, how do you experience Godʼs peace? If not, what is the next step you can make towards Jesus? APPLY: How can you reach out to Jesus this week? PRAYER Loving Father, thank you that you know us and our deepest needs. Help us to know that, like the bleeding woman, we can reach out to you confident that you will stop, take notice and respond with compassion and kindness. In Jesusʼ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Where are the places that you spend the most time during the week? What are your current frontlines? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “Fear and Illness” by William TaylorAudio: “Turning Round Disaster” by Chris WrightAudio: “Luke 7-8” by Gary MillarSERIES Resources:Series overview bookletScripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9COBook: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful)Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom WrightSt Bartʼs Library Resources for Current SeriesGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook