What was next on Jesus’ itinerary? Why?
Where was the pool? What was it called?
Who was hanging around the pool? Why?
What was the story of the pool?
How long had this particular man been afflicted?
What question did Jesus ask him?
What was the man’s answer? Did he directly answer Jesus’ question?
What did Jesus then ask him to do? Did he do it?
What day did this happen on?
What did the Jews forbid?
Who did the man say told him to do it?
What did the Jews ask him?
Did he know who healed him? Why not?
Where did Jesus find His patient again?
What did He tell him to do?
What did the healed man go do next?
What was the result of that?
Why did the Jews want to kill Jesus?
What do Jesus and His Father always do?
Then, what additional reason did the Jews have to want to kill Jesus?
Thought Questions

Do you think an angel actually stirred the water and healed whoever happened to get there first? What do you imagine was the reason for the legend?
Imagine the scene by the pool. Water rippled, and a “great multitude” tried to get in first. That must have been quite a stampede! Although obviously many of them could never even make a move toward it, because they were crippled. Who do you think was more likely to get in first–the worst cases or those who were relatively stronger?
Why do you think Jesus chose one particular man instead of healing everyone around the pool?
Like the nobleman and several other situations, Jesus tested this man’s faith before He healed him. How was his response similar or different from the nobleman’s? How did the crippled man show his faith in Jesus?
Do you think the healed cripple knew that it was illegal to carry a mat on the Sabbath? Did he understand the element of risk in doing what Jesus said?
The Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments. Should the Ten Commandments be followed? Are there situations when humans might twist God’s laws in their favor, or make additions to them? What might be the result of that?
Can you find in the Old Testament where it says not to carry a mat on the Sabbath?
What are your thoughts on mercy versus God’s Law? Is there a contradiction? Is it possible that humans can cause contradictions where there might not otherwise be any? What does this do for the reputation of both mercy and the Law?
When Jesus found the healed man again in the temple, He told him, “Sin no more.” Are there other occasions in the Bible when He said the same thing to others? Was this important? Can we go on sinning after Christ has healed us (physically or spiritually), and expect to get away with it?
We are called to be a witness and tell others about what Christ has done for us. However, there were certain times when Jesus specifically told people not to tell others what He had done. Why is this? Are there any applications in our ministries? Are there people whose hearts are so hard that delivering the same message to them as to others who are seeking might be a hindrance rather than a help? Did God ever teach us that there are times when we should avoid martyrdom? How about in Christ’s own life? How important is timing?

My prayer is:
to have the faith to follow God’s commands, which will facilitate my healing;
for wisdom to know the difference between the Law of God and of man;
and to “Sin no more.”