Introduction and Prayer
Pray
Read Mark 5: 1-2
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.[a] 2 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil[b] spirit came out from the tombs to meet him.
In Mark 4:35 what significant event have the disciples just come through?
Why do you think the man who was possessed with an evil spirit came toward Jesus?
What could have been the reactions from the disciples with Jesus seeing this scene and the man approaching?
Discuss a time when you felt that your life or the life of someone you knew was in a very dark place. How did the Lord help you to come out of that dark place?
Read Mark 5:3-5
3 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4 Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
What would this man’s life have been like on a daily basis?
Why would he be in the area of burial caves?
This gives us a picture of a person being controlled by demonic forces. What modern day occurances are there today that illustrate demonic oppression or control over a person?
We might not live in the tombs because of demons, but what can drive us to the “tombs”?
Read Mark 5:6-10
6 When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7 With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”9 Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10 Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
What does the man’s action of bowing before Jesus’ show us?
What does the demon(s) ask of Jesus?
What does this tell us about demonic activity and how it can present?
Why does Jesus demand the demon to share name and what is the response?
What does this tell us about the power of Jesus vs the power of evil?
Why might the demons not want to go to a distant place? How do we know they are afraid of Jesus?
What do you see from this text that gives direction for our spiritual lives?
The name Legion is a label that defines this man. Have you ever carried a label that has either been put on you or you chose yourself?
How do prayer and the Word of God challenge that?
Read Mark 5:11-13
11 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. 12 “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”13 So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.
What does the passage tell us about what/where a demon can live?
What can we now know about this town because the scriptures mention pigs?
Why do you think Jesus granted the demons their request?
Read Mark 5:14-20
14 The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 16 Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17 And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19 But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20 So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns[c] of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
What news now has affected the herdsmen?
What is there response?
What is the change that Jesus brought to the demon possessed man’s life?
What is the response of the crowd now that they see the change in the man?
What change has Jesus made in your life and how is it evident to those around you?
Why did the people plead with Jesus to leave them alone?
When God makes overwhelming changes in us or the people around us how might others respond?
Why does the man whom Jesus’ freed beg to be with Jesus as he travels? Why does Jesus tell him to stay?
What does this tell us about our mission field and our desire to serve in the area where Jesus asks us to share?
Share your story in one sentence and tell who you were before and who you became after meeting Jesus.
Who would benefit from hearing your story?
This man confronted Jesus, but He turned it into an opportunity for salvation. How can we turn situations into opportunities to lead someone to Christ?
Think on This…
Because Jesus has made us whole and set us free what response does this require from us?