Welcome to this week’s conversation guide. It’s this week’s guide for Life Groups, families or even one on one conversations that draw us deeper into the scriptures and closer to Jesus together. Here you’ll find today’s big idea, Scripture passage, worship prompts, sermon notes, life group questions, and ways to respond, give, and get connected.
All Things Together – Romans 8:28
| Session 2 | Fall | Mark 5:1-21 – Human pride in light of God’s power |
Read: Mark 5:1-21
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man
1So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes.a 2When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evilb spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. 4Whenever 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. 5Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.
6When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. 7With 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!” 8For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”
9Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”
And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” 10Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.
11There 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.”
13So 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.
14The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. 15A 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. 16Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. 17And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.
18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. 19But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” 20So the man started off to visit the Ten Townsc of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.
Jesus Heals in Response to Faith
21Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.
Worship
Take some time to read a psalm of praise together, play a favorite worship song or sing a song together. Got kids? Add motions! Dance a little!
Pray
Have someone pray for God’s blessing on the time.
Need help? Here’s an example you could even have someone read: “Dear God, we gather together in Jesus’ name. Thank You for Your Word, for Your Spirit, and for the power they bring into our lives. Thank You for bringing us together. Bless our time as we meet—make it fruitful, help us hear Your voice, and accomplish Your will in us. Draw us closer to You and closer to one another as we share this conversation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you’re short on time, use these three simple “READ, REFLECT, RESPOND” questions to guide your group through a quick, but deep study.
1 – Read
Jesus quoted scripture all the time! There’s power in God’s Word. There’s even more when it’s read aloud together!
- Have someone read the passage aloud to the group. If doing this as a family devotion, take turns reading together. Maybe pick someone new!
- Read from different translations if you’d like
- Assign a starting verse and “go around the room”
- Start the conversation!
- Leaders; LISTEN and KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS!
2 – Reflect
Sometimes the words that stand out to us are the very ones God is using to get our attention. Have everyone in the group or family share here.
- What word or words jump off the page to you, and why?
- Which words intrigue you? Why?
- Which words excite you? Why?
- Which words scare you a little? Why?
- Do any words confuse you? Why?
- How do those words connect to the Big Idea this week?
- Leaders: Go around the room and have EVERYONE pick at least one word! Ask them WHY they think The Spirit led them to it!
3 – Respond
Spiritual formation doesn’t stop at insight. It moves into transformation. Transformation comes through relationship.
- If what God is showing you is true, what’s one step you should take this week in response?
- Who can help you stay committed to helping you respond to the way God is leading you?
- Need to go deeper in one on one? TRY THIS LINK
- Reach out to a Pastor if you need more help!!
- Leaders: Keep a list of prayer requests, and pray through them each week. Assign different people in the group to “Own” praying for someone else!
Use the following six-movement questions to go deeper, especially in group settings. These can be used for extended time, journaling, or second-level discussion.
- Truth – What does this passage say about who God is and what He’s done?
- Problem – What brokenness or sin does it expose in people – in us?
- Solution – How does Jesus meet us or redeem us in light of this problem?
- Change – How could this truth shape or transform our thoughts, behaviors, or desires?
- Response – What can I do today to align more with what God is doing?
- Mission – How can I share this truth or live it out in the world or with others?
Optional Video Reflection
Question: Did you watch this week’s video? What stood out to you? How does it help you understand the verse better, or connect to the Big Idea?
Start With Worship
Say: “Let’s start by telling God how great He is!” (2–3 minutes)
Pick one:
- Sing a favorite worship song together.
- Play a worship song and encourage kids to raise hands, clap, or use motions like we do at Kids Church.
- Let the littles choose an “emotion”—happy face, strong pose, jumping for joy—and worship with that energy.
Tip: It doesn’t have to be perfect. God loves your family’s sound.
Then Pray Together
Say: “Let’s ask God to teach us something today.” (1-2 minutes)
Example Prayer (short + kid friendly):
“Dear God, we gather in Jesus’ name. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Spirit. Help us learn together and love You more. Amen.”
Now Read the Bible
Say: “We’re going to read our Bible passage for this week. While we listen, let’s notice one word or part that really stands out.” (1-2 minutes)
- Have a kid read if they’re comfortable.
- Or have an adult read while kids follow along or listen.
ASK: What Jumps Off the Page?
Say: “What word or part did you notice the most? What stood out? Why do you think that happened?” (3-5 minutes)
Everyone shares — kids, parents, teens.
Talk About the Big Idea
Say: “Share The Big Idea for this week. How does what we read in the Bible connect to that?” (2-3 minutes)
Use simple follow-ups:
- “Does this help us know God better?”
- “Does this help us love people better?”
- “How would you explain this to a friend?”
Do a Heart Check
Say: “Let’s think together: What does this verse show us about God? And what does it show us about us?” (3-5 minutes)
Choose kid-friendly prompts like:
- “What do you think God wants us to remember from this?”
- “How does this make you feel about God today?”
- “What is God like in this story/passage?”
Family Response — Live It Out
Say: “What’s one thing we can do as a family this week because of what God showed us?” (2–3 minutes)
Ideas that work for all ages:
- “We can pray for __ every day this week.”
- “We can try to be patient/kind/helpful like God wants.”
- “We can memorize this week’s verse together.”
Memory Verse Moment (Optional but Fun!)
Say: “Our church learns one verse each volume, and we use motions so we remember it in our hearts.” (1–2 minutes)
- Practice the verse once or twice.
- Review motions if kids know them.
- Let older kids help teach motions to younger siblings.
Remind them:
“You get to perform this on Celebration Sunday, so let’s practice with joy!”
Pray to Close
Say: “Let’s thank God for being with us.” – Talk about things that each person may want the group to pray for. Pick someone to pray! (1-2 minutes)
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