As pastoral elder Jadae Fox continues our series through the Gospel of Matthew, we have finished the Sermon on the Mount and will turn this Sunday to Matthew 8:1–3.

Here, Matthew makes a noticeable shift from Jesus’ teaching to His healing ministry. We will meet a man with leprosy who comes to Jesus in faith—confident that Jesus can heal him, yet humbly submitting the outcome to Jesus’ will.

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Sermon Outline

The leper shows us how to approach Jesus in prayer:

• Come humbly.
• Ask boldly.
• And trust completely!

Sermon Passage: Matthew 8:1-3

Study/Discussion Questions

1. What does the leper’s approach to Jesus teach us about prayer?
2. Beyond receiving what we ask for, what purposes does prayer serve in our relationship with God and others?
3. What does it practically mean to come humbly, ask boldly, and trust completely?
4. Read 2 Corinthians 12:8–10. How should we respond when God does not give us the answer we wanted?
5. What is one specific way you intend to grow in your understanding or practice of prayer?

Consider choosing one or more:

• Establishing a regular prayer time
• Praying through Scripture
• Confessing sin more readily
• Asking more boldly
• Surrendering outcomes more honestly
• Recording prayers and answers
• Inviting someone to pray with you

THE LEPER’ FAITH A SIMPLE PATTERN FOR PRAYER:

Lord—You have authority over me.

If You will—the decision belongs to You.
You can—Your ability is not in question.
Make me clean—this is what I am asking You to do.

WHAT HAS MADE YOU FEEL HELPLESS, ENTANGLED, UNCLEAN, OR SEPARATED

 — AND ARE YOU WILLING TO BRING IT PLAINLY TO JESUS?

That pattern can hold many kinds of requests:

“Save me from my sin.”
“Deliver me from what has bound me.”
“Heal my body.”
“Help me in my mental or emotional suffering.”
“Restore what has separated me from others.”
“Bring me through something I cannot overcome myself.”