Psalms 30 / Mark 5:21-43

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is a classic Markan doughnut — a story that begins, is interrupted, and resumes, with another story in the middle, like a doughnut and a hole.

Both of these stories feature females — a girl and a woman. How does this change your experience of them in contrast to the many stories that feature males?

What factors might make Jairus and the unnamed woman not seek help from Jesus? How do they manage (and overcome) these obstacles?

Where, in your own life, have you been afraid to seek healing? What does it mean to you that Jesus so often says, “Do not fear, only believe” (Mark 5:36)?