FMR develops youth ministry curriculum that is free to all local churches. Each monthly release includes a sermon series, small group guides, and supporting graphics packs that are original, practical, and ready to use.
SETTING UP THIS SERIES
• People love strange and scary stories. Have you ever been sitting around a table and someone starts telling a story with a weird twist? Everyone leans in, don’t they?
• They perk up. We are drawn to the weird, strange, and even scary. If you have the same fascination, you are in luck.
• The Bible has a few stories you may want to read.
• We tend to assume Scripture is all history, miracles, theology, and preaching.
• Sure, there is a lot of that, but there is also a strange side.
• Within the pages of Scripture, there are enough weird stories to make a carnival sideshow go out of business. We are about to venture into a study of three strange stories in Scripture.
• Every strange story shares a spiritual lesson, so let’s gather around for a journey through the Bible’s most curious passages.
• Many people would be shocked to hear that a single scary story crosses the pages of your Bible, but there are actually a few.
• While storms, skeletons, death, and dragons all show up, one scary theme remains constant in the New Testament: demons.
TENSION
• People often ask, “Why are there so many demon stories in the New Testament when I have never seen a demon?”
• First of all, I don’t think they saw them either. Jesus was just really good at sensing them.
• Second, demons were everywhere because God had invaded their territory, the Earth. Of course, they started swinging and fighting! The arrival of Jesus was the tipping point of spiritual warfare. Jesus, the promised Messiah, came to Earth to deliver a sucker punch to Satan.
• The Devil had to fight with everything he had, so he began sending his sinister soldiers in droves.
• Wait, what does spiritual warfare even mean? The Apostle Paul explains, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
• An invisible war is waging all around you—good is taking on evil, light is defeating darkness, and God is battling the Enemy.
• You can trace demonic stories back for thousands of years in almost every culture on Earth, although they may call them different names.
• This is not some grand accident. Let’s cut to the chase: demons are real.
• Unlike dragons, they are genuine supernatural creatures that strike fear into the hearts and minds of the masses.
• But one thing remains true: people are scared of demons. There is one obvious exception—Jesus.
• Demons didn’t spark a fragment of fear for Jesus. Since He could sense them, perceive them, and even speak to them, I find this fascinating.
• Our Savior shrugged them off even though He was more aware of their existence than anyone else.
• Turn on the nightlight because we are about to study the story of Legion.
• After Jesus finished teaching a series of parables in Galilee, He told his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other shore. The disciples raised their eyebrows at this command because Jewish people didn’t go over there.
• Directly across from them stood the city of Gerasenes, which was inhabited only by Gentiles and was largely considered unsafe for Hebrews.
• It wasn’t just foolish; it was far. Their journey would likely take an entire evening.
• During their lengthy voyage, a storm devastated their ship. Saltwater crashed around them. Currents threatened to pull their boat to the bottom of the sea. Lightning crashed from the sky to the sea.
• As if they were living in a horror movie, the disciples were scared senseless. In a well-known miracle, Jesus calmed the storm.
• Frightened and confused, the disciples slowly drifted across the calm-as-glass water to Gerasenes.
• Once their ship brushed the sandy shore, they were met by a menacing man covered in bloody gashes.
• Quite frankly, their shore-to-shore expedition was dangerous, out of their way, and unexpected.
• Why would Jesus ask His disciples to pack the snacks, load up the boat, row the oars, confront a storm, and sail through the night?
• He didn’t want a leisurely lake activity; He wanted to change someone’s life. Jesus goes to great lengths to seek out people living in fear.
• Jesus wanted to help a tormented man.
• Have you heard the parable where Jesus leaves 99 perfectly-suitable sheep to find one missing lamb? Mark’s real-life account of Legion is that parable put into practice.
• Jesus endured great lengths and difficult circumstances to save one suffering soul. Jesus knew He was this man’s only hope, so He sought him out.
• This proves that we can never fully comprehend Christ’s compassion and love. Do you see how much effort Jesus invested to help this man?
• That’s what Jesus does for you in your scariest circumstances. He will go far out of His way to set you free.
• Yes, Jesus seeks you out when things are scary, but how does He react? Well, how did He react when approaching Legion? Our study continues when Jesus stands face to face with one man and a legion of demons.
Jesus Isn’t Phased By Scary Situations
• The darkness that defined the tormented man petrified the people of Gerasenes.
• Certainly, every person in the city talked about the real-life urban legend living in their graveyard.
• Really let the scariness sweep over you. In the dark glow of the early morning, as waves crashed along the bone-littered shore, Jesus was confronted with a man who morphed into a monster.
• A human’s mouth opened, but a demonic choir droned, “I am called Legion, for we are many.” How horrifying is that?
• Due to vicious attacks from the Devil’s army, thousands of demons lived within this innocent man like a hellish hotel. He was known to hurt himself, hurt others, scream in agony, and haunt the shores of his city. Sadly, he had a family right over the hills, but evil spirits drove him to live among crypts and bones.
• No horror producer could come up with something scarier, but here’s the kicker: this actually happened.
• While scary, it’s also a tragedy. The man was a human shell that housed a literal hell. An innocent man was robbed of his life, sanity, and family. While the whole city was scared of Legion, Legion was terrified of Jesus.
• “In God’s name don’t torture me!” the demons growled. Afraid, they cried for Jesus to have mercy on them. Are you seeing this?
• These demons knew God’s power. They knew exactly who Jesus was. They knew that He could destroy them with a snap of his fingers. Shockingly, Jesus brought severe fear to one of the most frightening characters in the Bible.
• There are two valuable lessons here.
• First, this passage gave me a gut check. Literal demons have a deeper respect for Jesus than some humans do. Seriously. They acknowledged His power and bowed before Him. Straight-up Satan soldiers believed it—and they showed it.
• Second, anything that scares you is scared of Jesus. Why? Because if Jesus is on your side, then anything against you is against Him.
• There is no situation too scary for our Savior. No force, no moment, no darkness, no threat, and no journey is too intimidating for Jesus. • He’s not phased by fear. This means you can move forward into anything that scares you, intimidates you, or overwhelms you. Why?
• Because it’s all scared, intimidated, and overwhelmed by Jesus.
• I assume all this exorcising made a racket because we can infer that this incident attracted a crowd. People in the city heard all the commotion, so they peeked over the rocks to catch a glimpse of the frightening face-off.
• Mark continued, “When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid” (Mark 5:15).
• Jesus demanded the demons leave this man at once, so they did. I cannot even imagine what this looked like.
• Maybe it was a ghostly tornado, a rushing wind, or even just an eerie silence.
• Whatever happened, the demons left the man. Shivering in the sand, he thanked Jesus.
• The voices stopped, the torture was over, and everything was made new. Jesus brought healing to the haunted, which brings us to our final lesson.
Jesus Turns Scary Situations Into Salvation Stories
• Our frightening friend’s life was radically changed. Jesus rescued him from an army of darkness and a lifetime of misery.
• Everything looked up after this encounter, though.
• He was likely reunited with his mother, invited to countless dinner parties, made new friends, and slept in a bed instead of a tomb.
• I imagine he even started his own family.
• At the closing of this passage, the man formally known as Legion offered to become a full-time disciple (Mark 5:18).
• He was ready to hop on the boat with Jesus and head back to Galilee. Sidebar: isn’t it interesting that Jesus got right back into the boat?
• That means the whole reason He crossed the sea was to heal this man!
• Regardless, this newly-rescued believer was ready to commit everything to this One who saved his life.
• Jesus smiled and refused: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). Jesus basically said, “Go have a full life—enjoy it. Just be sure to tell others how to have the same experience.”
• This scary story is actually a salvation story. Jesus saved this man, healed him, and loved him.
• When Jesus set him free from his scary situation, He sent him forward into his future as a devoted follower.
• That’s what God does for you, too. Whenever God rescues you, he releases you.
• When Jesus freed you from darkness, He released you to be the light.
• When Jesus set you free from sin, He released you to share freedom with others.
• When Jesus set you free from addiction, He released you to help others in recovery.
• When Jesus set you free from suffering, he released you to help your friends find healing, too.
• If God brought you through something scary, you have a story.
• Share it.
Landing:
• Our God is not afraid of whatever scares you, plagues you, or haunts you. Why?
• Because Jesus has the power to bring healing to the haunted and life change to the chilling. Whatever scary situation is in front of you, invite God to take control.
• He’s not afraid, so you shouldn’t be, either.
TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week?
Q1: What’s one thing that stood out from today’s message?
Q2: Why do you think people are so scared of the demonic—even Christians?
Q3: How do you think this possessed man’s life was changed by his circumstances?
Q4: What is interesting about Jesus taking this long journey just to have this single experience? What does that mean for us?
Q5: “If God brought you through something spooky, you have a story. Share it.” What does this mean to you? What is a hard situation God has brought you through? How can that be used to minister to others?
Application: Share your story this week. Reach out to someone and share something God has done in your life.
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
Romans 8:38-39
1 Peter 5:6-7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 6:25-34
Hebrews 13:5-6
1 John 4:13-18
Isaiah 41:10
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.
SETTING UP THIS SERIES
• People love strange and scary stories. Have you ever been sitting around a table and someone starts telling a story with a weird twist? Everyone leans in, don’t they?
• They perk up. We are drawn to the weird, strange, and even scary. If you have the same fascination, you are in luck.
• The Bible has a few stories you may want to read.
• We tend to assume Scripture is all history, miracles, theology, and preaching.
• Sure, there is a lot of that, but there is also a strange side.
• Within the pages of Scripture, there are enough weird stories to make a carnival sideshow go out of business. We are about to venture into a study of three strange stories in Scripture.
• Every strange story shares a spiritual lesson, so let’s gather around for a journey through the Bible’s most curious passages.
• Many people would be shocked to hear that a single scary story crosses the pages of your Bible, but there are actually a few.
• While storms, skeletons, death, and dragons all show up, one scary theme remains constant in the New Testament: demons.
TENSION
• People often ask, “Why are there so many demon stories in the New Testament when I have never seen a demon?”
• First of all, I don’t think they saw them either. Jesus was just really good at sensing them.
• Second, demons were everywhere because God had invaded their territory, the Earth. Of course, they started swinging and fighting! The arrival of Jesus was the tipping point of spiritual warfare. Jesus, the promised Messiah, came to Earth to deliver a sucker punch to Satan.
• The Devil had to fight with everything he had, so he began sending his sinister soldiers in droves.
• Wait, what does spiritual warfare even mean? The Apostle Paul explains, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
• An invisible war is waging all around you—good is taking on evil, light is defeating darkness, and God is battling the Enemy.
• You can trace demonic stories back for thousands of years in almost every culture on Earth, although they may call them different names.
• This is not some grand accident. Let’s cut to the chase: demons are real.
• Unlike dragons, they are genuine supernatural creatures that strike fear into the hearts and minds of the masses.
• But one thing remains true: people are scared of demons. There is one obvious exception—Jesus.
• Demons didn’t spark a fragment of fear for Jesus. Since He could sense them, perceive them, and even speak to them, I find this fascinating.
• Our Savior shrugged them off even though He was more aware of their existence than anyone else.
• Turn on the nightlight because we are about to study the story of Legion.
• After Jesus finished teaching a series of parables in Galilee, He told his disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee to the other shore. The disciples raised their eyebrows at this command because Jewish people didn’t go over there.
• Directly across from them stood the city of Gerasenes, which was inhabited only by Gentiles and was largely considered unsafe for Hebrews.
• It wasn’t just foolish; it was far. Their journey would likely take an entire evening.
• During their lengthy voyage, a storm devastated their ship. Saltwater crashed around them. Currents threatened to pull their boat to the bottom of the sea. Lightning crashed from the sky to the sea.
• As if they were living in a horror movie, the disciples were scared senseless. In a well-known miracle, Jesus calmed the storm.
• Frightened and confused, the disciples slowly drifted across the calm-as-glass water to Gerasenes.
• Once their ship brushed the sandy shore, they were met by a menacing man covered in bloody gashes.
• Quite frankly, their shore-to-shore expedition was dangerous, out of their way, and unexpected.
• Why would Jesus ask His disciples to pack the snacks, load up the boat, row the oars, confront a storm, and sail through the night?
• He didn’t want a leisurely lake activity; He wanted to change someone’s life. Jesus goes to great lengths to seek out people living in fear.
• Jesus wanted to help a tormented man.
• Have you heard the parable where Jesus leaves 99 perfectly-suitable sheep to find one missing lamb? Mark’s real-life account of Legion is that parable put into practice.
• Jesus endured great lengths and difficult circumstances to save one suffering soul. Jesus knew He was this man’s only hope, so He sought him out.
• This proves that we can never fully comprehend Christ’s compassion and love. Do you see how much effort Jesus invested to help this man?
• That’s what Jesus does for you in your scariest circumstances. He will go far out of His way to set you free.
• Yes, Jesus seeks you out when things are scary, but how does He react? Well, how did He react when approaching Legion? Our study continues when Jesus stands face to face with one man and a legion of demons.
Jesus Isn’t Phased By Scary Situations
• The darkness that defined the tormented man petrified the people of Gerasenes.
• Certainly, every person in the city talked about the real-life urban legend living in their graveyard.
• Really let the scariness sweep over you. In the dark glow of the early morning, as waves crashed along the bone-littered shore, Jesus was confronted with a man who morphed into a monster.
• A human’s mouth opened, but a demonic choir droned, “I am called Legion, for we are many.” How horrifying is that?
• Due to vicious attacks from the Devil’s army, thousands of demons lived within this innocent man like a hellish hotel. He was known to hurt himself, hurt others, scream in agony, and haunt the shores of his city. Sadly, he had a family right over the hills, but evil spirits drove him to live among crypts and bones.
• No horror producer could come up with something scarier, but here’s the kicker: this actually happened.
• While scary, it’s also a tragedy. The man was a human shell that housed a literal hell. An innocent man was robbed of his life, sanity, and family. While the whole city was scared of Legion, Legion was terrified of Jesus.
• “In God’s name don’t torture me!” the demons growled. Afraid, they cried for Jesus to have mercy on them. Are you seeing this?
• These demons knew God’s power. They knew exactly who Jesus was. They knew that He could destroy them with a snap of his fingers. Shockingly, Jesus brought severe fear to one of the most frightening characters in the Bible.
• There are two valuable lessons here.
• First, this passage gave me a gut check. Literal demons have a deeper respect for Jesus than some humans do. Seriously. They acknowledged His power and bowed before Him. Straight-up Satan soldiers believed it—and they showed it.
• Second, anything that scares you is scared of Jesus. Why? Because if Jesus is on your side, then anything against you is against Him.
• There is no situation too scary for our Savior. No force, no moment, no darkness, no threat, and no journey is too intimidating for Jesus. • He’s not phased by fear. This means you can move forward into anything that scares you, intimidates you, or overwhelms you. Why?
• Because it’s all scared, intimidated, and overwhelmed by Jesus.
• I assume all this exorcising made a racket because we can infer that this incident attracted a crowd. People in the city heard all the commotion, so they peeked over the rocks to catch a glimpse of the frightening face-off.
• Mark continued, “When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid” (Mark 5:15).
• Jesus demanded the demons leave this man at once, so they did. I cannot even imagine what this looked like.
• Maybe it was a ghostly tornado, a rushing wind, or even just an eerie silence.
• Whatever happened, the demons left the man. Shivering in the sand, he thanked Jesus.
• The voices stopped, the torture was over, and everything was made new. Jesus brought healing to the haunted, which brings us to our final lesson.
Jesus Turns Scary Situations Into Salvation Stories
• Our frightening friend’s life was radically changed. Jesus rescued him from an army of darkness and a lifetime of misery.
• Everything looked up after this encounter, though.
• He was likely reunited with his mother, invited to countless dinner parties, made new friends, and slept in a bed instead of a tomb.
• I imagine he even started his own family.
• At the closing of this passage, the man formally known as Legion offered to become a full-time disciple (Mark 5:18).
• He was ready to hop on the boat with Jesus and head back to Galilee. Sidebar: isn’t it interesting that Jesus got right back into the boat?
• That means the whole reason He crossed the sea was to heal this man!
• Regardless, this newly-rescued believer was ready to commit everything to this One who saved his life.
• Jesus smiled and refused: “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). Jesus basically said, “Go have a full life—enjoy it. Just be sure to tell others how to have the same experience.”
• This scary story is actually a salvation story. Jesus saved this man, healed him, and loved him.
• When Jesus set him free from his scary situation, He sent him forward into his future as a devoted follower.
• That’s what God does for you, too. Whenever God rescues you, he releases you.
• When Jesus freed you from darkness, He released you to be the light.
• When Jesus set you free from sin, He released you to share freedom with others.
• When Jesus set you free from addiction, He released you to help others in recovery.
• When Jesus set you free from suffering, he released you to help your friends find healing, too.
• If God brought you through something scary, you have a story.
• Share it.
Landing:
• Our God is not afraid of whatever scares you, plagues you, or haunts you. Why?
• Because Jesus has the power to bring healing to the haunted and life change to the chilling. Whatever scary situation is in front of you, invite God to take control.
• He’s not afraid, so you shouldn’t be, either.
TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Ice Breaker: Go around your circle and share this week’s highs and lows. What was the best part of your week and the lowest part of your week?
Q1: What’s one thing that stood out from today’s message?
Q2: Why do you think people are so scared of the demonic—even Christians?
Q3: How do you think this possessed man’s life was changed by his circumstances?
Q4: What is interesting about Jesus taking this long journey just to have this single experience? What does that mean for us?
Q5: “If God brought you through something spooky, you have a story. Share it.” What does this mean to you? What is a hard situation God has brought you through? How can that be used to minister to others?
Application: Share your story this week. Reach out to someone and share something God has done in your life.
READ THESE PASSAGES IN ORDER EVERY DAY
Romans 8:38-39
1 Peter 5:6-7
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 6:25-34
Hebrews 13:5-6
1 John 4:13-18
Isaiah 41:10
Do the following with each passage:
ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.
READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you, reading them a second time if necessary.
REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and experiences?
RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you’ve uncovered.
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