Key Thought: Effectual ministry today must follow Christ’s example and care for the whole person – physically, mentally, and spiritually..

Jesus Ministered to Their Needs – August 27, 2016

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 2:8-12

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What was going on below the surface in regards to this man?
c. Personal Application : What’s the purpose of Jesus healing people rather than preaching the gospel? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your elderly female relatives states: “When you think about outreach, what is your ultimate goal? Is physical and mental healing part of that goal of outreach?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Acts 9:36-42.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What kind of things did Dorcas do to meet people’s needs, especially the believers and widows?
c. Personal Application : Do you have a Dorcas in your church who sees the needs of others and works to serve those needs as the main focus of their life? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Is working at the Dorcas Center once a week or two for a few hours, or at a soup kitchen once a week for a few hours a week the modern equivalent of Dorcas?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Luke 14:25-30

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What is Jesus saying here about commitment and planning?
c. Personal Application: What are some ways that your church can organize and plan beforehand on how you can reach your community? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “What are the main needs in your community? Is your church ministering to those needs or to the needs of the church members?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 5:37-43.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How can we be more aware of the needs of those who may be lonely, depressed, or discouraged?
c. Personal Application : What kind of comfort and support can we give those who have lost 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.

(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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