Have you ever felt stuck in a place that slowly started to feel normal? Not rebellious. Not walking away from God. Just stuck. Doing the right things, showing up to church, staying close to faith, but deep down there is an area of your life that hasn’t really changed in a long time. What happens when we start to accept something as permanent that Jesus never meant to be permanent?
In this message, we look at the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5 and what it means that Jesus went looking for someone who wasn’t even looking for Him. This encounter shows us something important about the heart of Jesus. He is not only the Friend who comes looking for us in the places where we have settled. He is also the Redeemer who refuses to leave us there.
If you missed the live service or want to reflect further, you can watch the full message above anytime after. We’ve also included discussion questions to dig deeper into the message and a handout with fill-ins to guide your reflection. You can find the handout by clicking the “Download” button above. Whether you watch this on your own or share it with your small group, we hope this message encourages you.
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think someone can live with something for so long that it stops feeling temporary and just starts feeling like who they are?
- The message talked about the pool system that people trusted but that never actually healed this man. What are some things Christians today sometimes rely on that look spiritual but don’t actually lead to real change?
- Jesus went to a man who was not looking for Him. What does that tell us about what God is like when someone feels forgotten, overlooked, or stuck?
- The man said, “I have no one.” How can building your identity around being overlooked, unsupported, or left behind affect the way you see God and what you expect from Him?
- Jesus healed the man before giving him any instructions. Why is it important to understand that God’s grace and power are not something we earn by getting our life together first?
- Jesus told the man to pick up the mat that used to carry him. What is something from your past that used to define you that God might want to turn into part of your story instead?
- The man kept focusing on the fact that someone else always got there first. How does comparing your life or your spiritual growth to other people keep you stuck?
- Jesus later told the man to stop sinning so something worse wouldn’t happen. How does that sound more like protection than punishment when you think about it in light of the whole story?
- The message said forgiveness is the starting line, not the finish line. What do you think it actually looks like to walk in a new life, not just know you’re forgiven?
- Where do you think Jesus might be saying to you right now, “Stand up. Pick up your mat. And walk,” and what would it look like to actually do that?
