Introduction and Prayer

• Pray

Read Mark 10:46 Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus

46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.

• The scriptures don’t tell us what Jesus did in Jericho in this account. Why did Jesus go outside of the town with his disciples?

• Who is with Jesus as he leaves the town?

• Why are people following him and what do they come to see?

• Look up the meaning of the Names in this passage? What could their names meaning possibly tell us about this family?

• Why is this son sitting beside the road? What might he be doing?

Read Mark 10:47

47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

• Barimaeus begins to shout when he hears Jesus is nearby. What does this tell us about Jesus’ reputation?

• What is his request of Jesus?

• Though he was blind Bartimaeus seems to know Jesus can help him. Compare and contrast your situation with Bartimaeus. What are you asking of Jesus?

• What do you think he can do for you?

Read Mark 10:48

48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.

But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

• What does the crowd say?

• How does Bartimaeus press in even through resistance?

• What should this tell us about how to react with Jesus in our situations?

• What could be keeping us from asking God and continuing to ask God to step into our situation?

Read Mark 10: 49

49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

• After reading verse 49 what do you think Bartimaeus is thinking in this moment?

• What do you think the crowd is thinking?

Read Mark 10:49 b- 52

So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

“My Rabbi,[a]” the blind man said, “I want to see!”

52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[b]

• What does the crowd share with Bartimaeus that tells us he may have been losing a little hope that Jesus may have passed on?

• What is his response when he understands Jesus is calling him?

• How are you responding today to know that Jesus is calling your name?

• Why does Jesus ask Bartimaeus what he wants? Isn’t this an obvious question to a blind man? What is Jesus trying to get from him?

• What does this encounter tell us about how we should articulate our requests to God?

• Bartimaeus responds to Jesus’ question and addresses Jesus in a more personal way. How does this show us Bartimaeus’ trust in Jesus?

• Jesus responds letting him know that his faith has made him well. Discuss this with your group. How does faith play a role in people receiving from God?

Think on This…

Is there anything too hard for God? How can giving our weaknesses to God, and indicating our complete reliance on Him be a beginning point in our relationship with God and possibly to us receiving healing from God?