Matthew 8:1-13 

Jesus came down from the mountainside. Large crowds followed him. 2 A man who had a skin disease came and got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, if you are willing to make me ‘clean,’ you can do it.”

3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing to do it,” he said. “Be ‘clean’!” Right away the man was healed of his skin disease. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone. Go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift Moses commanded. It will be a witness to everyone.”

5 When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to him. He asked Jesus for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home and can’t move. He is suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said, “Shall I come and heal him?”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I am not good enough to have you come into my house. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 I myself am a man under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those following him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west. They will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. They will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 12 But those who think they belong in the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness. There they will weep and grind their teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

1.      What surprises you most in this story?

2.      How did the leper and the centurion each come to Jesus? What do their actions and words reveal about their understanding of Jesus?

3.      The centurion said, “I’m not worthy” (verse 8). Do you think it’s possible to be humble and still have strong faith at the same time?

4.      Jesus was amazed by the centurion’s faith (verse 10), which doesn’t happen often in the Gospels. What was so mazing about his faith?

5.      What are some things you learn about Jesus in this story? Try to name as many as you can.

6.      What prophetic warning did Jesus give in verses 11–12? How does that challenge what people often assume about God’s kingdom?

7.      How does this story affect the way you think about prayer, trusting Jesus, or asking God for help in situations you can’t control?

8.      After thinking about this story, how do you want to respond to God personally?