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Lesson 8: The Blind See
Lesson 8 - January 24, 2016
Focus Text: John 9:1-17
Central Truth: Faith in Christ brings understanding to the spiritually blind.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state at least three obligations that accompany receiving spiritual sight.
Lesson Outline:
- Preparation for the Miracle (John 9:1-5)
- Performance of the Miracle (John 9:6-7)
- Proclamation of the Miracle (John 9:8-34)
Prayer: The Nets Filled
Heavenly Father, we thank You for our many teachers and the students in their classes. Help us all to understand even more clearly through today's lesson our need to walk in daily fellowship with You in order to experience true success - not defined by this world, but by You - in life. Amen.
What is the Biblical Meaning of Success?
"The Biblical Meaning of Success" by Hugh Whelchel is an interesting read on this subject. What do you think about his definition of success? Tell us in the comments on this page!
How We Experience True Success
In "God's Word for Today", David Fry writes:
The disciples had failed in one of life’s most basic tasks — providing food for themselves. But Jesus had a hot breakfast of fish and bread prepared for them on shore. It wasn’t the breakfast, however, that had caused Peter to jump out of the boat and swim to shore, but the very appearance of Jesus. Suddenly, food became an afterthought. The disciples had no doubt who Jesus was. Once again, Jesus had provided for them. Those words, “Come and dine,” must have been sweet to the disciples’ ears, and much more because they came from the Savior.
John told this story for one purpose: to illustrate how futile the disciples’ efforts were without the help of Jesus. We must have Jesus as our constant companion in order to experience true success.
Discussion: Why must we have Jesus as our constant companion in order to experience true success?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 42.
Do you understand who Jesus truly is?
"After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself." (John 21:1)
In "Word Focus", William Sillings writes:
The word showed (ephanerosen — aorist) in verse 1 means “to make manifest, to make visible.” ... The verb means simply that Jesus appeared to the disciples in bodily form. It seems certain that no theological concept is actually implied. Nevertheless, it may be inferred from the events in this passage that not only did Jesus want to give them assurance of His bodily presence, but more than that, He wanted to help the disciples finally grasp who He really was — the divine Son of God, not just their teacher, not just their rabbi, not just an itinerant preacher, not merely a good leader. He was indeed God in the flesh.
Discussion: What are some similar misconceptions have about Jesus today?
Discussion: What does it mean for Jesus to be God in the flesh?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 40.
What does a life without purpose look like?
In the comments on John 21: in "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gayle Woods gives us answers to this question:
Often when we are at a loss to know what to do, we revert to what is most familiar. This was the case with the disciples. The natural leader of the group stated what he was going to do. The others who felt the need for close companionship with those who had faced the same experiences for the past three years stated that they wanted to go along for the trip. These men were professional fishermen and knew the best time and the best places to go to fish. Their hearts were not in their pastime, however, and they continued to work throughout the night without catching any fish. They were tired, frustrated men without a purpose.
Discussion: Why were these men without purpose?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 41.