Love as a Way of Life



Study Series: I Am Changes Who I AmBy: Gregg MatteLesson Title: “An Invalid” (pp. 106 - 114)January 28, 2018Session 09The main point of this lesson is: Sickness, either our own or a loved one’s, presents an opportunity to grow in faith.Focus on this goal: To help adults use illness as a stepping stone in their faithKey Bible Passage: John?5:1-9To the LeaderDuring the discussion of John 5:14, be certain adults understand not all sickness is a result of sin. Jesus refuted that notion in the miracle He performed in John 9 (examined in Session 12 of this study). What he declared in John 5 is that living a life of sin is far worse and has far greater consequences than living paralyzed for 38 years.Before the SessionArrange (in a stair step format if possible) a display of various sizes of boxes (Step 1).During the SessionStep 1. Lead-in / Illustration Draw attention to the boxes. Analyze how those boxes illustrate some people’s lives and their relationship with God. State: The truth that I AM changes who i am means we don’t have to let any kind of illness box us in. We can use sicknesses as stepping-stones in our journey of becoming transformed into the image of Jesus. Step 2. Day 1 – When 2+2 Doesn’t Equal 4, Part 1State: The third miracle John recorded encourages us to let God out of the box of our expectations. Invite a volunteer to read John 5:1-9. State that some Bible translations mention the infirm were waiting for the water to move because an angel would occasionally stir up the water and the first person to get in would be healed. Other translations omit this statement because it is not in the earliest manuscripts and is believed to have been added later by a scribe who wanted to explain why the sick congregated at the pool of Bethesda. Discuss Day One, activity 1 (p.?107). Analyze how people today might try to box Jesus into acting the way they expect. Read the quote in the margin of Day One (p. 107).Step 3. Day 2 – When 2+2 Doesn’t Equal 4, Part 2Create teams of three to four adults and call for each to compare John 4:46-54 and John?5:1-9, recording comparisons and contrasts of the two events on a chart. Ask: This man wasn’t looking for Jesus nor seeming to express any faith in Him, so why did Jesus heal him? Several possible reasons: 1. To demonstrate He can heal and save people who have been bound by sin and sickness for years; 2. This man was all alone with no help; 3. Jesus is sovereign and can choose to work in anyone’s life in any manner He chooses. Jesus doesn’t need anything to heal—not stirred waters, not permission, not even an expression of faith.Step 4. Day 3 – When Healing HappensInvite responses to Day Three, activity 1 (p. 109). Explain opinions are varied on whether this man accepted or rejected Jesus. Regardless, he didn’t deserve healing, nor do we. Consider why God heals anyone. Invite adults to share how they have seen God receive glory from someone being healed and/or from saints who suffered but continued to glorify God. Encourage adults to find and read phrases from Day Three that reveal attitudes about sickness that can be used as stepping-stones for spiritual growth.Step 5. Day 4 – When God Seems QuietAcknowledge Jesus’ choice to heal this man elicits the question about why God doesn’t heal everyone. As we struggle with that question, request adults consult the Day Four margin quote (p. 111) and state what we can know to be true about life and God. Discuss Day Four, activity 1 (p. 111). State we need to remember Jesus’ mission was to heal us spiritually for all eternity. We can use everything in life—even illnesses—as stepping stones for spiritual growth.Step 6. Day 5 – Help Me! Heal Me!Invite a volunteer to read John 5:6-7. Ask: Do you think the question Jesus asked the man is odd or legitimate? Explain your reasoning. What could be reasons the man might not want to get well? In your opinion did the man answer Jesus’ question or give excuses? Explain. Assert we all need healing of some fashion. Ask: Why might we not want to get well? State: Some people are complacent in their boxes of brokenness because it’s familiar; perhaps they’re content relying on others instead of carrying their own load. Ask: What are excuses we may give for not being healed? How can we break out of our complacent boxes of sickness? Point out Jesus healed the paralytic but the man had to act on it. Jesus gave him something to do to take responsibility for his own life. Urge adults to act on the healing Jesus has already worked in their lives by doing what He says and carrying their own responsibilities. Emphasize Jesus never gives us a command that He doesn’t empower us to obey.Step 7. Application / Make It PracticalUsing Day Five, activity 2 (p. 114), ask adults to consider prayerfully: What is boxing you in—fear, bitterness, addiction, anxiety, anger, guilt, selfishness? Do you want to get well? State: Let Jesus out of the box. Recognize Him as the uncontainable, sovereign God who doesn’t work according to your expectations. Do whatever Jesus tells you in order to break out of your box. Trust Him, obey Him, and accept His healing. Regard everything in your life not as barriers to box you in, but as stepping-stones to help you move forward in faith. Read aloud in unison the prayer for healing in the margin of Day Five (p. 114).Additional Questions for DiscussionWhy do you think Jesus healed the lame man in such a different way from the way He healed the official’s son?There are several quotes from the Puritan pastor J. C. Ryles. Which impacted you the most? Why? How did it reshape your thinking?How do the physical healing miracles give us confidence of Christ’s ability to spiritually heal us?Who would you like to pray for that Jesus would heal? Share with your group and write the person a note in the next 24 hours. ................
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