Basic Questions

1. Identify as completely as possible the person in need (e.g., age, ethnic origin, religion, gender, social status).
   Man with dropsy at Pharisee's house.

2. What was the immediate, obvious need?
   Man suffering with dropsy.

3. Who took the initiative in effecting the healing?
   The person in need? Others? Jesus?
   How was it expressed?
   Jesus took hold of the man and healed him. (v4)

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?
   Jesus questions about the Sabbath.
   Jesus took hold of the man and healed him.
   Jesus questions about the Sabbath again.

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.
   N/A

6. What were the evidences that the person was healed?
   It just says he was healed. (v4)

7. What were the reactions to the healing?
   Silence. (v5)

8. What in this narrative led Jesus to minister healing to the person in need?
   Challenging the authority of the synagogue leaders and their understanding of the Sabbath.

Digging Deeper

1. Why are the location and timing of this healing story important?
   It was on the Sabbath in a leader's house. By healing then, Jesus challenged the leader's authority and understanding of the law not to "work" on the Sabbath.

2. How does Jesus' question in (v 5) instruct us about healing and the healing ministry?
   If someone is in need we should always help - even if it's not a "good" time for us.

   Matthew 22:37-39
   Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

   How does Jesus' question in (v5) compare to his question from the previous account Luke 13:15?
   (v5) falling into a well is a life threatening condition that requires immediate attention.
   Luke 13:15 (watering) is a daily part of care. These 2 verses together seem to say that the healing ministry is both a part of daily care and care required for special circumstances (emergencies).

3. What lesson(s) have you learned about healing from this account?
   Matthew 22:37-39     Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

   The healing ministry is both a part of daily care and care required for special circumstances (emergencies).