Podcast Summary: Healing School #7 – The Deaf & Dumb Man

Host: Nancy Dufresne, Dufresne Ministries
Episode: Jesus the Healer Broadcast
Date: April 22, 2021

Episode Overview

This episode of Dufresne Ministries’ Healing School focuses on the miracle of Jesus healing the deaf and dumb man, detailed in Mark 7:31-37. Pastor Nancy Dufresne studies the passage line by line, discussing the significance of faith, the environment for miracles, and the spiritual principles behind Jesus’ approach to healing. The practical message aims to increase believers' understanding of how to both receive and minister healing, emphasizing that healing is part of the believer’s covenant and accessible by faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene and Approach to Healing School

• (00:08) Nancy introduces the purpose: to study the 19 individual healing cases in Jesus’ earthly ministry and glean practical lessons for both receiving and ministering healing.
  • “If we do what they did, we get what they got.”
  • Healing is not just for ministers—every believer is commissioned (Mark 16:18).

2. The Passage: Mark 7:31-37

• (02:10) Nancy reads the Amplified version of Mark 7:31-37 about the deaf and dumb man whom Jesus heals.

3. The Importance of Spiritual Company

• (04:10) The man’s friends bring him to Jesus, demonstrating the impact of compassionate and faith-filled company.
  • “It matters who you have around you. … One day you may need their faith.”
  • (06:00) Contrasts with Blind Bartimaeus (whose crowd silenced him), highlighting that support can directly affect a miracle’s outcome.

4. Hearing Determines Believing

• (07:35) Nancy underscores the importance of what you listen to:
  • “If you listen to something negative long enough, you’ll start believing it. But if you listen to the right thing long enough, you’ll start believing it.”

5. Methods of Receiving and Ministering Healing

• (09:15) Discusses that Jesus didn’t always lay hands—healing can also come by hearing and believing the Word, or speaking the Word oneself.
  • “There’s other ways… You can just hear the Word taught and believe it and receive it.”

6. Jesus Takes the Man Aside—Why Environment Matters

• (10:50) Jesus leads the man away from the crowd, teaching two major lessons:

  • (11:10) Receiving is ultimately between you and Jesus; others can help, but your personal faith matters most.
  • (12:35) Crowds can hinder faith if people present are not believers; negative atmospheres (like hospital rooms) can be “charged with unbelief.”

• Memorable Quote:

  • “You need believing loved ones. ... Sometimes weeping loved ones can rob a miracle from someone in need. ... Find those in your life who you can go to when you need believers around you.” (16:42)

• (14:37) Connection to the miracle of Jairus’ daughter—Jesus created an atmosphere of faith by dismissing mourners.

7. The Diversity of God’s Methods

• (18:25) Jesus uses a unique method—fingers in the ears, spitting and touching the tongue. Nancy highlights her husband's similar healing ministry for ears, following the Spirit’s leading in method.
  • “Obedience creates an atmosphere for miracles.” (19:44)
  • “The Holy Ghost has diverse ways.” (21:07)

8. The Role of Attention in Operating Faith

• (21:25) Jesus “looked up to heaven” before healing the man—Nancy explains that faith requires disciplined attention.

  • “Your faith works when your attention is on God, not when your attention is on the need.”
  • "If you're going to be a person of faith, you must discipline your attention." (22:40)

• (24:00) Tells a story about Smith Wigglesworth who healed a dying woman by focusing on Jesus, not her symptoms.

• Notable Quote:

  • “You prayed looking at the dying woman. I prayed looking at Jesus.” (24:52)

9. Speaking to the Need, Not About the Need

• (25:40) Referencing Mark 11:23—
  • “Talk to the mountain, don’t talk about the mountain... while you're looking at the mountain mover.”

10. Jesus Commands the Man’s Healing

• (26:10) Jesus commands, “Be opened,” and the man immediately speaks plainly.
  • “Everyone should be able to hear. Everyone should be able to speak distinctly.” (26:24)
  • Jesus does not cast out devils here—He simply speaks healing.

11. Jesus Instructs Discretion

• (26:40) Jesus admonishes the people not to tell anyone, likely to avoid crowds of unbelievers rather than sincere seekers.
  • “He was wanting believing people to come.” (27:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It matters who you have around you. … One day you may need their faith.” (06:00)
• “If you listen to the right thing long enough, you’ll start believing it.” (07:44)
• “Obedience creates an atmosphere for miracles.” (19:44)
• “Your faith works when your attention is on God, not on the need.” (22:35)
• “You prayed looking at the dying woman. I prayed looking at Jesus.” — Smith Wigglesworth, relayed by Nancy (24:52)
• “Talk to the mountain while you’re looking at the mountain mover.” (25:45)
• “Everyone should be able to hear. Everyone should be able to speak distinctly.” (26:24)

Key Timestamps

• 00:08 – Introduction to Healing School, practical application focus
• 02:10 – Reading and overview of Mark 7:31-37
• 04:10 – Importance of compassionate company in receiving a miracle
• 10:50 – Jesus separates the man from the crowd; lessons on faith and atmosphere
• 16:42 – Impact of your support system (believing vs. weeping loved ones)
• 18:25 – Obeying the Spirit’s leading in method
• 21:25 – Jesus looks to heaven; teaching on disciplined attention and faith
• 24:00 – Smith Wigglesworth story illustrating the power of focus
• 25:40 – Speaking to the mountain; focusing on God
• 26:10 – Jesus commands healing
• 26:40 – The call for discretion after the miracle

Summary Accents

Pastor Nancy’s instruction is warm, faith-filled, and practical. She infuses the episode with stories, personal experiences, and actionable teaching, making the lesson engaging and accessible for any believer seeking to deepen their understanding of divine healing. The episode’s tone is encouraging, sometimes humorous (“That’s not very hygienic… Hello. That’s right.”), and always biblically rooted.

For more on healing school and resources, visit dufresneministries.org.