Key Thought : There is nothing that God cannot heal, transform, undo, bind up, or restore. Jesus is interested in the total person in a substantial, lasting healing.

[Lesson Plan for Prayer, Healing, and Restoration December 15, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read James 5:13-15.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What is the significance of the anointing ceremony with oil? Can’t God heal a person just in answer to prayer?
c. Personal Application: What are the spiritual dangers when things are going well for us? Why is praise so important at this time? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What do you say to someone you have prayed for who was ill but has gotten worse or died? Wasn’t there enough faith?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read James 5:15,16.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does it mean that if you pray for them, they will be raised up, saved, and forgiven?
c. Personal Application: What is effectual, fervent prayer? Who is a righteous man? Why aren’t many people healed today? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “My friend has the gift of healing. Just by laying hands on a person, they can be healed. He says he has healed several times, but then the Lord took the gift from him. He said he doesn’t know why the Lord would give him the gift and then take it away.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read James 5:17,18.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What role do prayer and confession play in our quest for healing?
c. Personal Application: When was the last time you confessed your faults to anyone? Is that a necessity in order to be healed spiritually or physically? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “We aren’t to look for supernatural manifestations of the Spirit now. That was for the time of the disciples. The only supernatural manifestations we might see today are false healers and false apostles working miracles to deceive us..” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read James 5:19,20.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Many say we don’t convert anyone, only the Spirit does. So what is James saying here about converting the sinner and saving his soul from death? How do we do that?
c. Personal Application: What meaningful and loving ways can we comfort someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

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