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Matthew 17:14-21 |Unstoppable Power & Unshakable Faith
Jesus and his disciples have just returned from a mountaintop experience to enter the crowds below. They are met by a desperate father, with a son who has been tormented since birth, having both epilepsy and a demon causing him harm. The disciples are powerless to help, and so this desperate father seeks the mercy of Jesus.
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:14-21
The boy is healed instantly. Jesus displays his total authority, over both the physical illness and the spiritual oppression. The power of Jesus is unstoppable. Nothing is impossible for him. Real faith can move mountains because it rests on him. When there is a lack of power, it is because of little faith. We must mature our faith through practice, so that his power will work through us. For the same Jesus who freed that boy still saves and heals today.
Discussion Questions
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
Jesus and his disciples have just returned from a mountaintop experience to enter the crowds below. They are met by a desperate father, with a son who has been tormented since birth, having both epilepsy and a demon causing him harm. The disciples are powerless to help, and so this desperate father seeks the mercy of Jesus.
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:14-21
The boy is healed instantly. Jesus displays his total authority, over both the physical illness and the spiritual oppression. The power of Jesus is unstoppable. Nothing is impossible for him. Real faith can move mountains because it rests on him. When there is a lack of power, it is because of little faith. We must mature our faith through practice, so that his power will work through us. For the same Jesus who freed that boy still saves and heals today.
Discussion Questions
- What does the father's desperation in bringing his son to Jesus reveal about his faith and hope?
- What can we learn about the power of Jesus for our problems? (Col 2:15, 1 John 4:4)
- Do you tend to bring your problems to the Lord or to depend on your self?
- In what way does doubt or little faith hinder you from relying on God?
- In what areas of your life do you need to rely on God’s power?
- How can we encourage you to rely on Him?
- What practices are you doing to mature your faith? Where do you need to improve?
D&A (Discipleship & Accountability)
Break up into smaller groups for prayer.
- How is your time with God?
- What are you praying for?
- What are you struggling with?
- Who are you praying for to know Jesus?
- What gospel conversations have you had this week with someone who doesn’t follow Jesus?