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Prayer: Lesson 13 – The Gift of Sight
Heavenly Father,
Bless our teachers and classes today as they conclude this quarter on the Miracles of Jesus. Help us to realize that while You do not always choose to perform miracles of healing in response to our prayers, You are still a miracle-working God. Increase our faith in You. In Jesus' name, we pray this. Amen.
How to Take Advantage of Your Opportunity to Gain God's Help
In "Word Focus" William Sillings writes:
Cry out (kradzein — v. 47) means “to cry out or to scream.” Bartimaeus recognized his time of opportunity and began to go to work to get the most he could out of it. He did not sit by the roadside mumbling in his beard about how hard life was and how unfair it was that Jesus would pass by that way and not stop to help him.
He was not concerned about what other people thought right then. In fact, some of them tried to get him not to be so loud. They charged him (v. 48) that he should hold his peace. Charged (epetimen — imperfect) is a strong word, and the imperfect tense suggests “they continually rebuked him.” They told him to hold his peace (siopasoi), that is, to keep silent. In other words, the crowds kept telling him to shut up and quit his loud yelling.
But Bartimaeus was not to be denied access to this one great opportunity. There are times for refined decorum, of course, but this was not one of them. If Bartimaeus did not get Jesus’ attention this time, who knows how long it would be before He came that way again — if ever?
Discussion: How serious are you in taking advantage of the opportunity to gain God's help in your life?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 75.
Blessings of Christ’s Kingdom
Read Isaiah 35:1-10
“No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there” (v. 9).
While John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim’s Progress, he may have had this passage in mind. As Christian approached the Palace Beautiful, he spotted a lion on either side of the narrowing path. Believing death was at hand, he considered retreating. But Watchful, the porter of the palace, called, “Fear not the lions, for they are chained and are placed there for trial of faith. . . . Keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.”
Citizens of God’s spiritual kingdom often encounter lions. Satan himself is described as a roaring lion. Daniel confronted literal lions in the den, but God tamed them. Many early Christians faced raging beasts and were torn into pieces by them. Their martyr spirits were, however, safely transported to the presence of God.
Whatever lions lurk near your pathway today, remember, the God of Daniel still lives. He will bring His children safely home — as long as they tread the midst of the path, the highway of holiness. (Joyce Cooper)
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim — We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, For, lo, his doom is sure.
— Martin Luther
What a blessing to know the lions are chained and can come no closer to you than our Lord allows!
This devotional is the Tuesday, February 23, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
What Influence Does the Sunday School Teacher Have?
"Henrietta Mears, an influential Christian educator and leader during the first half of the twentieth century, described her own personal pilgrimage, 'First I learned to love my teacher. Then I learned to love my teacher's God.'" (Haystead)
Have you seriously considered the important role you have in leading your students closer to Christ, due to the relationship they have with you in your class? While such a thought is understandably intimidating, it is worth reflection. If the teacher's relationship with his students is a key ingredient for their spiritual growth, how important is his study of God's Word in preparation for the lesson? At the same time, can the teacher fulfill her task of discipling her students by approaching the lesson only as an intellectual exercise?
How should you work at building relationships with your students this week in order to influence them for Christ?
Source: Haystead, Wes (2005). The 21st Century Sunday School: Strategies for Today and Tomorrow. Cincinnati, OH: The Standard Publishing Company. p.18.
The Gift of Sight
Lesson 13 - February 28, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 10:46-52; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Central Truth: The compassionate Christ ministers to the needs of men.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how those who are blinded by sin can receive sight.
Lesson Objective:
- A Pitiful Cry (Mark 10:46-48)
- A Gracious Response (Mark 10:49-52)
- A Glorious Light (2 Cor. 4:3-6)
Source: The Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights.
Prayer – Lesson 12: The Giver of Life
Heavenly Father, help our teachers and students today grasp the amazing truth that You do truly understand our humanity … and that You love us … and that You offer us real life. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.