The Bridge Church
Jesus Encounters - The Demoniac
April 14, 2024
Locations & Times
Englewood SKY Academy
871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:30 AM
“When it comes to the demonic, people usually fall into one of two errors – either they take him altogether too seriously or they do not take him seriously enough.”
— C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
— C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
“Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world.”
– Wayne Grudem
– Wayne Grudem
The Description of the Demon-Possessed Man:
· Unclean
· Isolated
· Supernatural strength
· Pain
· Self-Harm
· Unclean
· Isolated
· Supernatural strength
· Pain
· Self-Harm
1. Jesus has all spiritual power over darkness
2. Jesus mercifully frees the captive
3. Jesus saves us to send us
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390
I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism
I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point
I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve
I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. Do you notice a lot of dark movies, commercials, video games, etc. in our culture? Why do you think that is?
2. Have you ever had an experience, or known someone that has experienced, something that was evil or that could be described as demonic or satanic in nature? How does our understanding and/or belief of the spiritual world shape the way we see the world?
3. Read Ephesians 6:12. Discuss the truth in this passage.
4. C.S. Lewis writes in the Screwtape Letters, “When it comes to the demonic, people usually fall into one of two errors – either they take him altogether too seriously or they do not take him seriously enough.” Which one do you identify with most? Why?
5. What impact does it have on you to know that, as the Bible tells us, there is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of mankind? How does this truth change your day-to-day living?
6. Read Mark 5:1-2. Why do you think the man met Jesus “as soon as he got out of the boat”?
7. Read Mark 5:3-5. Describe the man. How was he living? Where was he living? How did it affect others around him?
8. Would you describe this man as someone who most would think would be too far gone? Why or why not?
9. Where do you see similar characteristics of what this man experienced in our culture today?
10. Read Mark 5:6. Does this response surprise you? Why or why not?
11. How does Jesus react to this man? How is it different that how others have reacted?
12. Read Mark 5:7. Why do the demons know exactly who Jesus is? Discuss why demons are terrified of the power of Jesus Christ and why this truth can provide us comfort.
13. Read Mark 5:8-9. What is the significance of the man’s name?
14. Read Mark 5:10-13. Why do you think the demons begged Jesus to stay in the region? Discuss the posture the demons had in this moment versus the authority that Jesus has in this moment. Who gave permission?
15. Read Mark 5:14-15. What impact does this encounter with Jesus and the man have on others? Why were there witnesses?
16. Read Mark 5:16-17. Why wouldn’t they want Jesus to stay at this point? What might they be thinking?
17. Read Mark 5:18-19. Why do you think the man wanted Jesus to stay with him? Does Jesus’s response surprise you? Why or why not?
18. How have you seen Jesus work through the problems in your life so that He can connect with you personally? Have you ever been so fixated on your problems that you can’t see past them? What do you think Jesus is saying to you in those moments?
19. Read Mark 5:20. Discuss a time when you were impacted after hearing about someone’s encounter with Jesus. Why did it resonate with you?
20. How can you use your encounter(s) with Jesus to help encourage those around you?
21. What are some things you learned about Jesus through this encounter?
Live It Out:
1. Jesus has all power over spiritual darkness. Think through, or write out, the goals of Satan and the goals of Jesus. Then, find scripture that confirms what we learned from this passage – that God is reigns over all! We do not fight for victory, but we fight from victory through Jesus Christ. Live out today, and beyond, with this truth at the forefront of your mind.
2. Jesus mercifully frees the captives. This man wanted to be set free, and Jesus does just that. Is there someone in your life that you have given up on, feeling like they are beyond the help and power of God? Pray for them now, asking for God to move in their life.
3. Jesus saves us to send us. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, remember how Jesus saved you. Spend time thanking Him for doing so. Then, think or write about how you can live “sent” because He saved you. What is your next step to share His mercy with others?
1. Do you notice a lot of dark movies, commercials, video games, etc. in our culture? Why do you think that is?
2. Have you ever had an experience, or known someone that has experienced, something that was evil or that could be described as demonic or satanic in nature? How does our understanding and/or belief of the spiritual world shape the way we see the world?
3. Read Ephesians 6:12. Discuss the truth in this passage.
4. C.S. Lewis writes in the Screwtape Letters, “When it comes to the demonic, people usually fall into one of two errors – either they take him altogether too seriously or they do not take him seriously enough.” Which one do you identify with most? Why?
5. What impact does it have on you to know that, as the Bible tells us, there is a spiritual battle going on for the souls of mankind? How does this truth change your day-to-day living?
6. Read Mark 5:1-2. Why do you think the man met Jesus “as soon as he got out of the boat”?
7. Read Mark 5:3-5. Describe the man. How was he living? Where was he living? How did it affect others around him?
8. Would you describe this man as someone who most would think would be too far gone? Why or why not?
9. Where do you see similar characteristics of what this man experienced in our culture today?
10. Read Mark 5:6. Does this response surprise you? Why or why not?
11. How does Jesus react to this man? How is it different that how others have reacted?
12. Read Mark 5:7. Why do the demons know exactly who Jesus is? Discuss why demons are terrified of the power of Jesus Christ and why this truth can provide us comfort.
13. Read Mark 5:8-9. What is the significance of the man’s name?
14. Read Mark 5:10-13. Why do you think the demons begged Jesus to stay in the region? Discuss the posture the demons had in this moment versus the authority that Jesus has in this moment. Who gave permission?
15. Read Mark 5:14-15. What impact does this encounter with Jesus and the man have on others? Why were there witnesses?
16. Read Mark 5:16-17. Why wouldn’t they want Jesus to stay at this point? What might they be thinking?
17. Read Mark 5:18-19. Why do you think the man wanted Jesus to stay with him? Does Jesus’s response surprise you? Why or why not?
18. How have you seen Jesus work through the problems in your life so that He can connect with you personally? Have you ever been so fixated on your problems that you can’t see past them? What do you think Jesus is saying to you in those moments?
19. Read Mark 5:20. Discuss a time when you were impacted after hearing about someone’s encounter with Jesus. Why did it resonate with you?
20. How can you use your encounter(s) with Jesus to help encourage those around you?
21. What are some things you learned about Jesus through this encounter?
Live It Out:
1. Jesus has all power over spiritual darkness. Think through, or write out, the goals of Satan and the goals of Jesus. Then, find scripture that confirms what we learned from this passage – that God is reigns over all! We do not fight for victory, but we fight from victory through Jesus Christ. Live out today, and beyond, with this truth at the forefront of your mind.
2. Jesus mercifully frees the captives. This man wanted to be set free, and Jesus does just that. Is there someone in your life that you have given up on, feeling like they are beyond the help and power of God? Pray for them now, asking for God to move in their life.
3. Jesus saves us to send us. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, remember how Jesus saved you. Spend time thanking Him for doing so. Then, think or write about how you can live “sent” because He saved you. What is your next step to share His mercy with others?
Reading Plan:
Monday: Mark 5:1-5
Tuesday: Mark 5:6-10
Wednesday: Mark 5:11-13
Thursday: Mark 5:14-17
Friday: Mark 5:18-20
Saturday: Ephesians 6:12, Ephesians 2:1-5
Monday: Mark 5:1-5
Tuesday: Mark 5:6-10
Wednesday: Mark 5:11-13
Thursday: Mark 5:14-17
Friday: Mark 5:18-20
Saturday: Ephesians 6:12, Ephesians 2:1-5