Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, February 6
Look over your sermon notes from Sunday’s sermon. What insights is medical
science gaining from faith? Does God care about what we do with our bodies
and how well we take care of them? Look at the law in the Old Testament in
Leviticus 13-15 as it relates to good health. Using our bodies for the glory
of God is clearly an interest to the scriptures. Some of these verses may
guide us to consider how we should take care of our bodies in honoring God.
Read Romans 12:1. What are the implications of presenting your body as a living
sacrifice? Read I Corinthians 6:19-20. If your body is a temple for the Holy
Spirit, and if you are not your own, but you belong to God, what are the implications
of this for yow well you take care of your body? How are physical health and
spiritual life connected? How is likely to affect your effectiveness in serving
God? Are you currently exercising and taking care of yourself?
Tuesday, February 7
Read Mark 5:21-43. This is the same story we heard from Luke on Sunday. This
is an intertwining of two healing stories. Let’s focus on the woman
who had been hemorrhaging first. What do we learn about her in this story?
When medicine has done all it can do, do you think Christ can still be of
hope? When Jesus says, “your faith has healed you” what do you
think he means? Why was it her faith rather than the power of God that Jesus
mentions? What do the two healing stories tell us about Jesus? If you are
a health care provider, how can you integrate your faith in your care for
people’s well being? How do you see the connection between spiritual
health and physical health?
Wednesday, February 8
Let’s look at some of the scriptures that help us understand the role
of faith and trust in the release of anxiety and stress, and putting ourselves
in a position to best receive healing. Read Philippians 4:4-7. A large amount
of contemporary medical research has shown a connection between our ability
to let go of fear, and our ability to heal. Read I Peter 5:7, how do we cast
our anxiety upon God? Read Matthew 6:28-34. What does this teach us about
the perspective we are to have on our lives? About trusting in God? About
our priorities? Invite God to help you to follow the words of Jesus.
Thursday, February 9
Read Proverbs 3:4-8. What does this passage teach us about where and when
healing comes? Let’s look at another healing story from Jesus’
ministry. Read Luke 5:17-26. Jesus is clear, elsewhere in the gospels, that
sickness is not necessarily the result of sin. But in this passage sin is
the issue. How do you think this man’s sins, his internal spiritual
life and his guilt, were keeping him paralyzed? Does sin in our lives ever
lead to sickness or disease? I what ways is forgiveness a form of healing?
Invite God to forgive you.
Friday, February 10
The practice of anointing with oil and praying for the sick is grounded in
the New Testament. Read James 5:13-16. We use this type of healing prayer
in the healing service that is held when there is fifth Sunday in a month.
What is healing and wholeness? Does our faith exempt us from becoming ill?
What spiritual lessons have you learned in illness? When does our ultimate
healing come? Be bold in praying for your needs, and be aware of the many
ways God hears and answers our prayers. Read II Corinthians 4:5-9 where Paul
gives us his perspective on our earthly bodies.
First
United Methodist Church 