The Ministry of Scars

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Small Groups Questions – Scars 1. What charities or community organizations have been important to you in some way? How have they affected your life?

The Ministry of Scars May 6, 2012 — 1219

Brett Glanzmann

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan.” Romans 8:28 (NCV)

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2. Describe a time when a friend has been able to help you face something because they’ve been through it themselves. 3. Have someone read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What does this verse mean to you personally? 4. Why do you think it’s so difficult to live the truth of this verse?

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“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’”

5. Take turns reading aloud from John 9:1-12. What do you find odd about the disciples’ question to Jesus? What does Jesus’ answer reveal about how he views suffering?

2 Corinthians 12:8-9a (NLT)

6. Why do you think his neighbors ask the question in verse 12?

Embrace what

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says about me. 7. Take turns reading aloud from John 9:13-32. How does the blind man use his story to minister to others?

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT)

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

8. Put yourself in the place of the man’s parents. How do you feel throughout this interaction? What do you think about Jesus? 9. Why do you think it was so difficult for the Pharisees to accept the man’s testimony? How are you sometimes like the Pharisees?

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Invest

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in the healing of others.

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15-16a (NLT)

10. What are some examples of how you’ve seen a person use their own scars to help others? When have you used yours for good? 11. Read 2 Corinthians 12:8–10. What would it take for you to live out this truth in your own life? 12. Pray for one another’s scars and for direction on how to use them to minister to others.