Neighbourhood Transformation: Paralytic Transformation

PARALYTIC PRINCIPLES (Pages 8-9-10)

(based on Luke 5, the story of the Paralytic)

• Friends were interested & cared
• Faith & Determination
• Problem Solving / Creative
• Boldness of friends
• Friends had trust
• Jesus did not respond to physical need first, He responded to Spiritual need first
• Forgiveness of sins preceded heealing
• “Rule breaking”
• Caused discomfort for others
• Opposing social norms
• Friends went to extreme lengths
• Passionate friends
• visualized healing
• Used their talents (strength)
• Teamwork
• Crowd would not move for them
• Multiplication Effort.
• Jesus honoured:
  • Their faith
  • Collective faith / proxy faith
  • Action of the faithful can transform (has power)
  • Final praise was to God (Paralytic went home praising God and the crowed also glorified God

WHAT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE?

• Paralytic had probably tried other methods of healing
• felt this was his fate
• Someone felt the need for healing (him/friends?)
• Someone had heard of Jesus’s power
• Had to plan for trip
  • cot?
  • food
  • time

WHAT RESOURCES WERE USED?

• Local Materials
• Physical Strength
• Time
• Creativity
• Team
• Leadership
• Faith
• Radicalism /risk
• Defiance of social norms

WHAT MUST HAPPEN TO MEET NEEDS?

• Identification
• Recognition
• Needs & Resources must come together
• Relationship
• Trust
• Awareness / Education
• Communication
• Acceptance / Open to change & Help
• Vision
• Hope
• Open to God’s leading

Something to keep in mind: Scripture tells us that God is the rewarder of those who seek him.