Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   Blind men - Bartimaeus.

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   The men were blind.

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   The men shouted "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me"!

4. Describe the actions or process leading to the healing; that is, what was said (e.g., questions, requests, commands) and what was done (e.g., approaching, following, touching, publicly/privately), and by whom?
   The men shouted "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me"!
   The crowd told them to be quiet. The men shouted again.
   Jesus asks "What do you want me to do for you"?
   They answer "we want our sight".
   The men were healed.

5. Did the person in need or someone else verbally express faith? Non-verbally? Describe how and by whom faith was in involved in this healing.
   The men expressed faith by asking, ignoring the crowd, asking again and answering Jesus' question about what they wanted (their sight).

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   The men could immediately see and followed Jesus. (Matt 20:34, Mark 10:52, Luke 18:43)

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   The men could immediately see and followed Jesus, praising. (Matt 20:34, Mark 10:52, Luke 18:43)

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   The men repeatedly asked and answered Jesus' question about what they wanted (their sight), also Jesus' compassion (Matt 20:34).

Digging Deeper

1. Picture yourself there with Jesus who has been on his way to Jerusalem. Describe the scene.
   A large crowd was following Jesus - it must have been hard to get close to Him.

2. What was the blind man doing, as Jesus approached, and what does his pleading say about him and about Jesus?
   The men were "seeking" Jesus - they didn't let the crowd stop them. Jesus did listen.

   How might this instruct us about our ministry of healing?
   We must seek Jesus until He answers us.

   Jeremiah 29:13     You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

3. Are the others, following Jesus, supportive of the blind man? Why or why not?
   The crowd wanted the blind men to be quiet. They probably had their own motives for following Jesus. This means we should be aware of people on the "edges" who may need Jesus.

4. To whom is Jesus listening? the blind man or the crowd?
   Jesus listens to the blind men. He can "pick" you out of a crowd!

5. In Mark's account, Bartimaeus throws off his cloak and jumps to his feet. Could this be saying something to us about how we approach Jesus for healing? Are there 'cloaks' we need to cast off? What holds us back? Do we come to Him 'jumping' expectantly?
   If there is anything separating us from Jesus we should "cast" it off (sin or other blocks). It's not easy removing cloaks.

   Heb 4:16     Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

6. "He received his sight." Was this a physical healing? Spiritual healing? Emotional healing? Both? All? In what way?
   This was obviously a physical healing. It probably also included spiritual and emotional healings as well since the men followed Jesus afterwards.

7. Why does Jesus say "Your faith has healed you"?
   The men wouldn't give up until Jesus answered them - this takes faith.

8. How are other people involved in this healing? How can we, similarly, participate in someone else's healing?
   Mark 10:49 shows others encouraged Bartimaeus to go to Jesus.
   Encouraging someone to go to Jesus for healing may be all that person needs to receive healing. Encouragement is a gift of the spirit.
   Romans 12:8
   It's no coincidence that after being encouraged (Mark 10:49) the man is able to "throw off his cloak" and come before Jesus (Mark 10:50).

9. How does this story end? Was the response of sight to the blind man all there was to it? When we get better as the result of prayer, do we stop there? What next?
   Matt 20:34, Mark 10:52, Luke 18:43 show the importance of after care - following Jesus after the healing. They also show the importance of praise!

10. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?
    Jeremiah 29:13     You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

    You may have to "cry out" to Jesus more than once. Read Prayer Bowls.

    Jesus can "pick" you out of a crowd!

    Heb 4:16     Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

    Encouraging someone to go to Jesus is an important part of the healing ministry, it's also a gift of the Spirit.

    After care (following Jesus and praising) is an important part of the healing ministry.