Healing of Jairus' Daughter

​Community Group Discussion Guide
Mark – The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter
Icebreakers:

1. How would you respond to a person who is angry at God for allowing people to get sick?
2. What is the cause of sickness in our world?  (Who or what is responsible for sickness and death?)
3. What is the difference between healing in general and a supernatural healing?

Scripture: Mark 5:21-24; 35-43 NASB95
[21] When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. [22] One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet [23] and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” [24] And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. [35] While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” [36] But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” [37] And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38] They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. [39] And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” [40] They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. [41] Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. [43] And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.
 
Digging Deeper:  Obviously, Jairus was desperate when he reached out to Jesus.  At this point in Jesus’ ministry, there were those within the ranks of the religious leaders that were already plotting against Jesus, so Jairus was taking a risk by asking Jesus to heal his daughter.
Read verses 21-23 [21] When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. [22] One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet [23] and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.”

• Why do you think that Jairus did not just reach out to the other members of the synagogue for a solution to his daughter’s sickness?
• Why do you think that Jairus had such a strong faith in Jesus’ ability to heal his daughter?

 
Read verses 24, 35 [24] And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. [35] While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?”

• What do you think was motivating the synagogue official to be so blunt about the death of Jairus’ daughter?
• Do you think is question, “Why trouble the Teacher anymore” was sincere?

Read verses 36-43 [36] But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” [37] And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38] They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. [39] And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” [40] They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. [41] Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. [43] And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

• How comforting do you think Jesus’ words were to Jairus when He said, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe?”  (Jairus would have been very afraid when he heard the report that his daughter was dead.  He was also hoping against hope that Jesus could help save the day)
• What lesson could be learned from the behavior of the mocking crowd?  (We should be careful to express doubt and disbelief in front of people seeking God’s grace)
• Why do you think that Jesus stated that the 12-year-old girl was merely sleeping?
• Why do you think that Jesus gave Jairus’ family strict orders not to advertise this supernatural healing?

Wrap-up: Read James 5:14-15 NASB95  Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; [15] and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

• Why is the “prayer offered in faith” important when it comes to healing?