8: Mission to the Needy – Teaching Plan
Key Thought: God has a plan to reach the needy. The needs might be physical, emotional, financial, or social. Whatever the needs are, we must be ready to do what we can do to help.
November 25, 2023
A. Have a volunteer read John 5:1-9, Mark 1:23-28..
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What do these texts teach us about ministry to the needy?
- Personal Application: What are some positive ways we can still minister to those who need help? Share your thoughts..
- Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can we spend time with people who are in need, but not living according to Godly principles, without compromising Biblical principles? Can we attend wedding celebrations, graduation parties, and other celebrations on the Sabbath without compromising?” What are the possible positives and negatives by doing so? How would you respond to your relative?
B. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 10:19, Psalm 146:9, Romans 12:13.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What is the important theme here for us to remember?
- Personal Application: What is our personal responsibility to help any immigrants or refugees you know about? Share your thoughts
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t mind helping those in need, but I feel we shouldn’t be using taxpayer funds and government programs, or personally helping illegal immigrants. They need to be sent back. We have a process in place for legal immigration, but the illegal movement is placing an unnecessary burden on this country and others and the people in many negative ways..” How would you respond to your friend?
C. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:18,19
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What does this tell us about what Jesus did and what we should be doing for those around us?
- Personal Application: In what ways do you feel called and obligated to share the gospel and Christ’s love with others? Are there things you could be doing more? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Did Jesus really give people political or literal freedom to the Jewish slaves? Did He literally give them social and political freedom? Isn’t His message more focused on the Spiritual application rather than the literal? Did they misunderstand His mission? Could we be doing the same thing?” How would you respond to your relative?
D. Have a volunteer read John 15:13..
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What friends do you have that you would go beyond the normal to help, or don’t you know or have anyone that special?
- Personal Application: What is your comfort zone and why should you be willing to step outside it when necessary?. Share your thoughts.
- 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.
(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.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
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A person going into another country illegally is committing a crime. In addition, it is likely that they are using a fake name. They are also working legally and stealing services that do not belong to them. Not to mention not paying taxes (taxes are much more than sales taxes).
The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 2:13-14 us that we must submit to every human authority. Titus 3:1 reminds us of the same requirement.
Repentance is the first step when we are sinning. Hebrews 10:26-27 tells us
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
If a person is knowingly violating immigration law, and continues to willfully sin, the outcome is clear.
Repentance means stopping their behavior, returning to their country and doing things properly.
To do less makes them hypocrites and they can add taking God's name in vain when they call themselves Christians.
It is the willful nature of their sin that condemns them.
It's heartbreaking to see this happen and we encourage them to continue sinning. We become willful participants in their sins. Instead, we should encourage them to go back and do things right.
I wish it was that easy to determine the status of immigrants. From some of the stories I hear some of them have been so desparate for a variety of reasons that they have resorted to illegal means to remove themselves from danger. That does not excuse illegal immigration but stereotyping them as criminal does not help either. Perhaps our task as Christians is to show compassion on a needs basis irrespective of their legal status.
Words of wisdom and compassion!!!
My parents brought their 5 children from Mexico legally and they paid for all theirs and their 5 childrens' "Permanent Resident visas," to this Country. There is no excuse for anyone from Mexico to "Smuggle themselves," here and beg there way here too. Yes, if they do we should feed them and clothe them but they need to "Cease to do evil and learn to do well," as the Bible says to do.
I am so glad Jesus did not worry about the immigration status of people He met. He showed compassion and reached out to many. If we keep His sterling example as our focus, then we too will be able to show compassion and reach others as Jesus did.
Well, I would say that Jesus is the one who set legal and monetary considerations to "Aliens," of other nations that wanted to become part of the Nation of Israel. There is an account in the Old Testament where some Aliens tried to smuggle themselves "Deceptively," and tried to become "allies," to Israel in the time of King David, by pretending to be "Wearied travelers," that had run out of food etc. and God cursed them to become slaves to the Israelites.