Degrees of Deliverance
Luke 17:11-19
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, stepbystepjourney.com
In a world ravaged by the sickness of sin, Christ is available as the headwaters source of healing. Our response to this story will be transformational to the extent that we fully identify with both the lepers and Christ and to the end that we might both receive healing and become healers.
I. Lepers and Leprosy
A. Physical
B. Spiritual
II. The Jesus Response: Not isolation, but transformation
III. The Degrees of Healing: Cleansed, healed, made well
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1. Richard outlined the forces of individualism and tribalism, noting that both pose barriers to engaging in love with our neighbor different from ourselves.
a. How might you identify with either a pattern of individualism, whereby you are disconnected from the “other”?
b. Or how might you identify with the pattern of tribalism whereby you are surrounded by those who agree with you, rather than provide an alternative perspective?
2. We listened to the story of the leper in India who was touched by another human for the first time in years when a missionary visited:
a. What opportunities do you have to be the physical embodiment of Christ for another, marginalized by the rest of society?
3. Leprosy and its effects are caused by an inability to feel pain. Do you have pain in your life? If so, what might Jesus be speaking to you regarding how to respond to that pain and experience healing and restoration?
4. If you feel you are being prompted to a next step in response to your pain, what is your reaction and feeling about that step? Is it counterintuitive, frightening or challenging to you?
5. Richard explained that like forgiveness, healing addresses the wounds of our brokenness. Salvation promises redemption such that we are both healed and step into our role as Christ’s agents of transformation in the world. Have you been healed but have yet to step fully into God’s story of salvation in the world?
6. What testimonies of being healed and transformed as part of God’s story do you have?