Read Luke 5:12-26 together.
You may want to split it:
  • Verses 12–16 — Jesus heals the man with leprosy
  • Verses 17–26 — Jesus heals the paralyzed man
1. THE MAN
(The people who know they need Jesus)
What do we notice?
  • The man with leprosy approaches Jesus desperately.
  • The paralyzed man completely depends on others to get him there.
  • Neither man pretends they are fine.
  • Jesus responds with compassion, healing, and forgiveness.
Key Verse
“Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” — Luke 5:12
Questions
  1. Why do you think it took courage for the man with leprosy to approach Jesus?
  2. What stands out about the faith of the paralyzed man?
  3. Why is it hard for us to admit we need help?
  4. What are some ways people try to hide their struggles instead of bringing them to Jesus?
  5. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before healing him physically. Why might that matter?
Personal Reflection
  • Where in your life do you most need Jesus right now?
  • Is there an area where you are pretending everything is okay?
  • Are you comfortable asking for help, prayer, or support?
2. THE MATES
(The friends who carry people toward Jesus)
What do we notice?
  • The friends refused to give up.
  • They were creative and determined.
  • They literally carried someone else’s burden.
  • Jesus noticed their faith.
Questions
  1. What impresses you most about the friends?
  2. Why do you think they went to such extreme effort?
  3. What obstacles could have made them quit?
  4. What does real friendship look like according to this story?
  5. How can we help carry friends spiritually, emotionally, or practically today?
Personal Reflection
  • Who has carried you through a hard season?
  • Is there someone in your life who needs encouragement, prayer, or support?
Challenge
Think of one person you could:
  • invite to youth group,
  • check in on,
  • pray for,
  • sit with at school,
  • or encourage this week.
3. THE MESS
(The crowd that blocks the way)
What do we notice?
  • The house was so crowded no one could get through.
  • The crowd wanted to be near Jesus…
     but they accidentally became a barrier to someone else.
Sometimes people can love being around “church stuff” while making it harder for hurting people to reach Jesus.
Questions
  1. Do you think the crowd realized they were blocking people?
  2. How can good things become obstacles?
  3. What are some modern “crowds” that stop people getting to Jesus?
    • popularity?
    • judgement?
    • cliques?
    • busyness?
    • social media?
    • church culture?
  4. Have you ever felt blocked or excluded?
  5. Why is it easy to accidentally become part of “the mess”?
Group Activity Idea
Ask:
“If someone totally new walked into our youth group tonight feeling anxious and alone… what experience would they have?”

4. THE MANAGERS
(The Pharisees who watched, judged, and controlled)
What do we notice?
  • The Pharisees questioned Jesus internally.
  • They cared more about rules and appearances than people.
  • They were physically close to Jesus but spiritually far away.
  • Instead of celebrating healing, they criticized.

Questions
  1. Why were the Pharisees upset with Jesus?
  2. What attitudes made them resistant to Jesus?
  3. What does judgement look like today?
  4. Why is it easier to criticize than to help?
Personal Reflection
  • Do you ever act more concerned about being “right” than loving people?
  • Are there people you secretly judge?
  • Have you become cynical, critical, or spiritually proud?
Bringing It Together
Which group are you most like right now?
The Man
You know you need Jesus.
The Mates
You are helping carry others toward Him.
The Mess
You may accidentally be blocking others.
The Managers
You may be critical, judgemental, or focused on appearances.
Final Discussion
  1. Which group do you relate to most today?
  2. Which group do you want to become more like?
  3. What do these stories teach us about the heart of Jesus?
Final Thought
In both stories, Jesus responds to desperate faith with compassion.
  • He touches the untouchable.
  • He forgives the broken.
  • He honours determined friends.
  • He challenges proud hearts.
The question is not just:
“What group are you in?”
But also:
“What kind of person are you becoming?”