This story happened at a pool that evidently had a reputation for bringing healing to the first person to get in when its waters were stirred.

1. When you get sick, what are you like?
   a. Oscar the Grouch,
   b. Superman,
   c. Rip Van Winkle ?

2. How do you picture the invalid?(v. 5-7) How do you think the invalid feels after 38 years?

3. Why did Jesus ask the invalid "Do you want to get well"?
   a. He didn�t ask for help,
   b. He didn�t know Jesus,
   c. He was likely a beggar who could lose his income if made well,
   d. He may have lost his will to get well.

4. What did the invalid hope Jesus might do?

5. What was the man really saying by his response to Jesus?
   a. "Are you crazy - would I be living at the pool if I didn�t want to get well?"
   b. "I don�t know - I�m so helpless.",
   c. "If you help into the pool when the waters are stirred I might get well.",
   d. "I�ve been sick for so long I can�t take responsibility for my life."

6. If you were the invalid how would you feel in v. 8-9? v. 10-13? v. 14?

7. What did Jesus mean later when he said to the man: "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you"?
   a. "You were sick because of sin.",
   b. "You lost 38 years; don�t lose anymore.",
   c. "The eternal consequences of sin are worse than any illness."
   d. "You�ve got a fresh start - don�t blow it."

8. Why were the leaders so upset?

The conflict in these stories arose from the Pharisees� adherence to traditional interpretations of Old Testament Sabbath laws: "harvesting" of any kind was forbidden, and aid could be given the sick only when the person�s life was threatened.

1. Who in your family was always checking up on you to see if you "did it right"?

2. What reasoning did Jesus use to answer the Pharisees� accusation of breaking the Sabbath? How does David�s story apply? ( 1 Sa. 21:1-6)

3. Why were the Pharisees so upset?

4. Why did Jesus heal the man on the Sabbath?