11 November 2012

Kelas 1 - 3

Sesi 1 = Coach Susi Tjio
Sesi 2 = Coach Iwan

Kelas 4 - 6
Sesi 1 = Coach Savitri
Sesi 2 = Coach Yungcien

Jesus at a synagogue in Nazareth

Lesson: Jesus ushers in God's favour

1. Game: Set the Captives Free
We played a game that involved people in prison and blindfolded, and others trying to get past the guards to tag them free. But it took a bit longer than expected. So would suggest a simpler game, like Blind Man's Buff.


2. Story:

• Tell the story of Jesus speaking at the synagogue in Nazareth based on Luke 4:16-30.
• Last week, we learnt about how Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. Who remembers who the winner was? (Jesus!)
• After that, Jesus returned to Galilee and began teaching about God. People began to hear about Jesus and said good things about Him.
• Then Jesus decided to go to his hometown, Nazareth. That’s where he grew up as a boy!
• On the Sabbath day, he went to the synagogue.
• He stood up to read and was given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. (Let’s all read together)
• “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me    to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners    and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,    to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
• After he finished, Jesus returned the scroll and said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
• What did Jesus mean?
• After His baptism and time in the desert, Jesus was ready to begin his work on earth. And He was telling people what His work was.
• Because Jesus was here, the people could experience God’s favour! Jesus told them:
• If you are poor, I have good news! You don’t have to be poor anymore!
• If you are in prison or being bullied, you can be free!
• If you are blind, you can see!
• Jesus did all these miracles! The poor were fed! Those oppressed found joy and freedom! The blind did see!
• But more importantly, Jesus wanted to tell people that they didn’t have to be afraid of God anymore because Jesus was going to pay for the punishment of their sins soon! Because Jesus took all the bad things that we deserve, God's favour is upon us — all the good things we don’t deserve!
• Isn’t that great news?

• The people thought so too ... until they suddenly remembered ... “Hey, we know this guy! He grew up here. His father’s name is Joseph, the carpenter!” They thought he couldn’t be the Saviour God promised because he grew up in their neighbourhood.
• So they got angry and tried to throw Jesus off a cliff.
• But Jesus’ work was only just beginning. God protected Him, and He could walk straight through the crowd safely.

3. Lesson: Good news for Today!

• Most of you are not financially poor. You are not in prison. You can see.  But Jesus is still good news for you.
• Maybe you are poor in your grades, or poor in joy (feel sad), or poor in health (sick). Jesus has good news for you! He will give you what you lack.
• Maybe you are in prison to your bad habits — you keep doing wrong things that you do not want to. Maybe you are being oppressed by the bully in school. Maybe you are always getting scolded. Jesus wants to set you free!
• Maybe you cannot see God’s goodness and grace in your life. You wonder why everyone is better than you. Jesus wants to open your eyes to see Him at work in your life!
• The people in Nazareth didn’t want to accept what Jesus had to offer. What about you? Do you want to accept Him?
• If you have experienced God’s favour in your life, bless someone else. Tell people the good news about Jesus too! Hallelujah!

4. Activity ideas: 

a. Craft: Scroll with Memory Verse

• Print on brownish/beige paper. Get kids to fill in blanks and personalise/colour it. Roll ups ends and tied scroll with a ribbon.

*****

Youth Bible Study

Leader's Guide

Jesus ushers in God’s Favour

Read Luke 4:17-26.

1.         After Jesus was tempted in the desert, he returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. News about him spread through the countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised Him.

2.       Jesus had become a mini-celebrity by then. Where did Jesus go next?

He went to Nazareth, his hometown — where he had been brought up.

3.       In the synagogue, Jesus was invited to speak. What book did He read from? What did it say?

Isaiah (cref Isaiah 61:1)

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim:

• Good news to the poor
• Freedom for the prisoners
• Recovery of sight for the blind
• Freedom for the oppressed
• The year of the Lord’s favour

4.       Where did Jesus say after that? What did he mean?

Jesus said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He was the one who has been sent by God to proclaim God’s favour and blessings to everyone — good news, freedom, sight etc. He was the promised Saviour. This was His mission on earth!

Because Jesus was here, the people could experience God’s favour! Jesus did many miracles — the poor were fed; the oppressed found joy and freedom; the blind did see. But more importantly, Jesus wanted to tell people that they didn’t have to be afraid of God anymore because Jesus was going to pay for the punishment of their sins soon!

5.        What was the people’s initial reaction? How did it change?

At first everyone spoke well of him and were amazed at His words. But when they realised he was from Nazareth, they could not accept that He would be the Saviour God promised to sent. They probably thought a carpenter’s son was not good/learned enough to be used by God.

6.         What were the two examples Jesus gave to illustrate “prophets who were not accepted in their hometowns”?

i.                     Elijah: sent to a widow in Zarephath, Sidon, instead to the many widows in Israel (1 King 17)

ii.                   Elisha: healed Naaman the Syrian of leprosy, instead of the many lepers in Israel (2 Kings 5)

7.         What do you think Jesus meant?

Jesus was saying that if the Jews could not accept the favour of God that came through Him due to their pride, self-righteousness or unbelief, then the Gentiles would be the ones to receive it.

8.         What did the crowd do next? What did Jesus do?

They were furious, got up, drove Jesus out of town, took Him to the top of the hill and wanted to throw Him off the cliff. Jesus just walked right through the crowd and went on His way miraculously! His mission had only just begun; no one could touch Him until His work was done.

Most of you are not financially poor. You are not in prison. You can see.  But Jesus is still good news for you. If you are poor in your grades, or poor in joy (feel sad), or poor in health (sick), Jesus will give you what you lack. If you are tied down to your bad habits or are being bullied or disturbed, Jesus can set you free! Maybe you cannot see God’s goodness and grace in your life. Jesus wants to open your eyes to see Him at work in your life!Because Jesus completed His ultimate mission on the cross and took all the bad things that we deserve, God gives us all the good things we don’t deserve!

9.         What is your reaction to what Jesus has to offer?

________________________________________________________

What is an area that you want to see Jesus working in your life?

________________________________________________________

Share and pray for one another.

4 November 2012

Kelas 1 - 3

Sesi 1 = Coach Lily Bun
Sesi 2 = Coach Yudistira

Kelas 4 - 6
Sesi 1 = Coach Andy
Sesi 2 = Coach Lusiana

Boy Jesus at the Temple

Lesson: My Father's House

1. Game: Search for the Missing Number

Hand out a number to each child in your group on a card. The numbers should be in consecutive order. Before class, hide the No. 1 card somewhere in the classroom that would be fairly easy for the class to find. Have the class work together to put the numbers in order on the floor. When it is discovered that the number one is missing, have the class search for the missing card. When the card has been found, everybody sits back down quietly.

2. Story: 
Tell the story of Jesus in the temple based on Luke 2:41-52.

• In today's story Jesus was 12 years old. 
• Every year all of God's people travelled to the temple in the city of Jerusalem for a special holiday called the Passover. Jesus also travelled to Jerusalem with his family to celebrate the Passover with all their aunts, uncles and cousins.
• What is the Passover?
• The Passover was a celebration to remember how God delivered the Israelites from Egypt.
• How many plagues did God send on the Egyptians? (10)
• What was the last plague? (Death of the firstborn)
• How were the Israelites spared? (Put blood of lamb on the doorpost; angel of death passed over them)
• The Passover holiday lasted for many days.
• Mary, Joseph and all his relatives packed up and started home. They did not know that Jesus was not with them. They walked all day. When night time came, Mary and Joseph set up camp to sleep for the night. They thought Jesus had been travelling with his aunts and uncles and cousins so they went to look for Him. But they could not find Jesus anywhere. 
• So Mary and Joseph travelled all the way back to Jerusalem and started hunting for Jesus there.
• Jerusalem was a big and busy city. Mary and Joseph searched everywhere for 3 days.
• Finally they went to the temple. There was Jesus at the temple talking with the priests. He was asking them questions, and the priests were amazed with Jesus' understanding and his wise answers.
• Mary said to Jesus, "Son, why did you do this to us. Your father and I were very worried about you. We have been looking for you." 
• Jesus was very surprised that his parents wouldn't have known to look for him at the temple. He said to his parents, "Why did you have to look for me? You should have known that I must be in my father’s house, doing my father’s business."
• Mary and Joseph didn’t understand that Jesus was talking about God as His father. But Mary kept these things in her heart.
• Jesus returned home to Nazareth with Mary and Joseph and was obedient to them. He grew in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and man.

3. Lesson: Good News for Today 

• Even at a young age, Jesus knew who His father was (God) — the Jews of that time never knew God as their father. They only worshipped Him, but didn’t have a close relationship with Him. Jesus knew who He was and who He belonged to. When we accept Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we can also call God “Father”.
• Does anyone here want to accept Jesus into their hearts today?

• Because Jesus knew who He belonged to, He knew whose voice to listen to. He was in His Father’s house, doing His Father’s business. If we know that we are God’s children, we will know how to listen to God’s voice.
• Who are God’s children? Who likes to listen to God’s voice?

• Because of God’s grace on His life, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and man. When we receive God’s grace, we too can grow in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and man. What does it mean to grow in wisdom and stature? What does it mean to grow in favour with God and with man? (wise, big/tall/strong, blessed by God and by others)
• Who would like to grow wise and big? Who would like to be blessed by God and by others?

• Pray: Thank You Jesus that because of You, we, too, can call God “Father”. We can learn to hear His voice and do His work. We can grow in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and man. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

4. Activity ideas:

a. Worksheets 

*****

Youth Bible Study

Leader's Guide

Boy Jesus at the temple (Luke 2:41-52)

1. Read Luke 2:41-52

2. Why did Jesus’ parents go to Jerusalem every year?
To celebrate the Feast of the Passover

3. What do you know about this celebration? (cf Exodus 12:26-27)
To remember how the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared them from the death of the firstborn (10^th plague; deliverance from Egypt)

4. What did Mary and Joseph discover on their way back to Nazareth after the feast?
That Jesus was not with them or their relatives.

5. Where did they finally find Jesus and what was He doing there and what were the reactions of those with Him?
After 3 days, they found Jesus in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.

6. What did Jesus respond to His mother’s concerns?
He was surprised that they were searching for Him and didn’t know that He was in His Father’s house attending to His Father’s business.

7. Jesus’ parents didn’t understand what He was saying. Which “father” was Jesus referring to?
His heavenly Father, God

8. Jesus knew who He was and whose He was. Do we know who we belong to? (cf Gal 4:4-7)
Because of Jesus, we have full rights as sons of God. No longer a slave, but a son and an heir.

9. How did Jesus live with His earthly parents?
He was obedient to them.

10. How did Jesus grow? Why was He able to grow that way? (cf Luke 2:40)
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and men. Because the grace of God was upon Him.

Thank the Lord that:

•  Because of Him, we can call God “Father”
• Because we are His sons, we can be about our Father’s business
• Because of His grace, we can grow in wisdom and stature, in favour with God and men

28 Oktober 2012

Ibadah Gabungan

Sesi 1 

Coach : Savitri

WL : Yosi
Ice Breaker & Games : Susan, Kasey, Yosi

Sesi 2

Coach : Iwan
WL : Yunita
Ice Breaker & Games : Rini P., Carrie, Lusiana

God's word on Protection in Jesus

1. Lesson:

• Psalm 91 tells us about the protection God gives to us, His children.

• Let’s read Psalm 91 together: 
• (Good News Version or Plain EnglishVersion)
• Psalm 91 tells us about the protection God gives to us, His children.

• Some key lessons from this psalm:
• v1-4: We can be safe when we stay close to God
• He is our trusted defender and protector, our hiding place
• God’s faithfulness is like shield and a wall of safety around us
• God is like a mother hen who protects us with His wings, who covers us with His feathers and keeps us safe — can use a large blanket to show how God covers us
• He keeps us from traps and diseases
• 
  

• v5: We don’t need to fear ALL the time
• dangers/terror at night or attacks in theday
• disease in the dark  or destruction atnoonday — no need to fear the dark
• 
  
•  v7-13: Whatever happens around us, God will deliver us
• His angels will guard us
• He will keep us safe from:
• Disaster and plagues — tsunami, earthquakes, H1N1
• Evil/Attacks — bullies, robbers
• 
  
• v14-16: Why? Because He loves you and me! Because of Jesus, we belong to Him
• When we call, He will answer us
• When we are in trouble, He will be with us
• He will rescue us and honor us
• He will reward us with long life
• He will save us
• 
  

2. Activity Suggestion

• Related craft
• Fill in the Blanks

• Sharing:
• What is one thing you are afraid of? Which of God’s promise in Psalm 91 help you not be afraid anymore? 

21 Oktober 2012

Kelas 1 - 3

Sesi 1 = Coach Eko
Sesi 2 = Coach Iwan

Kelas 4 - 6
Sesi 1 = Coach Savitri
Sesi 2 = Coach Yungcien
Jesus heals 10 lepers

1. Lesson: Tell the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers from Luke 17:11-18. You can some pix from here.

• We’ve learnt about leprosy before. What is leprosy? 
• A dreaded and contagious skin disease that causes disfigurement. Lepers had to leave their family and homes and live outside the city. They can’t go near other people. They have to call out, “Unclean, unclean” every time they come into the city.
• That’s why when the 10 lepers saw Jesus, they stood at a distance from him.
• They called “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.” They must have known that Jesus was not an ordinary person. That He cared for people, and He had the power to do something about their situation.

• Interestingly, Jesus didn’t stretch out His hand or pronounce healing on them. He just told them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” The only way for a leper to be able to go back to their homes and families is if they go to a priest and the priest certifies that they are healed and clean.
• Even though their skin was probably still white with leprosy, the 10 lepers went off to see the priest. Normally this would be considered quite silly — Imagine going to the priest when you are still sick! But the Bible calls this FAITH — trusting in Jesus’ words even if you haven’t seen the results yet.
• And as they went, miraculously they were healed! Their skin was not white and rotting anymore! They were whole! Happily they rushed to see the priest. They must have been so eager to be declared “clean”. That means they can now go home and see their wife, their children, their home.
• But one guy didn’t rush off. He saw that he was healed. He was overjoyed. He ran back to Jesus, praising God with a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.
• This leper knew that he didn’t deserve anything. He was a Samaritan, who was hated by the Jewish people. He was probably not “qualified” to be healed. But because of His love and grace, Jesus (a Jew) healed him without any question. That’s the love of God — unconditional and for everyone.
• Jesus asked, “Weren’t there 10 who were healed? Where are the other 9? Why is it only this one man came back to give praise to God?” Then He told the man, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
•  Let’s understand how deep and wide and amazing the love of God is for us. When we realize that, then our hearts will be filled withthanksgiving and joy for all that He has done for us!

• Key lesson from this miracle: Jesus heals — He doesn’t care who you are; He just wants to show you God’s power and love.
•  Let’s know the HEART of Jesus!
• Then we can call out to Him in our time of need and know that He will help us.
•  Let’s respond in FAITH!
• Trust Jesus’ words and promises even when circumstances and facts show otherwise.
• Let’s respond in THANKSGIVING!
• We have every blessing in Christ Jesus. Let’s rejoice and be glad in it and thank Him for it every day!
• 
  

2. Activity Suggestion

• Thanksgiving list & sharing:
• Have kids sit in small groups; write down or draw what they are thankful to God for. Then let them share with the group/teacher.

3. Ideas for younger children

• Interactive story telling
• Try teaching this lesson through a dramatic interpretation of Scripture. Have the children actively engaged as you read along.
• 
  
• Song: "I can be thankful" (to the tune of "I'm a little teapot")
• I can be thankful; yes I can
• For my family; for my friends
• God has given so much with His Son
• Thank you Jesus for all You've done

• Craft: Paper leper man healed
• Prepare cut-out gingerbread man shapes. Have kids draw a sad face and white spots on one side and a happy face on the other, with the words, "Thank you Jesus!"

14 Oktober 2012

Kelas 1 - 3

Sesi 1 = Coach Grace
Sesi 2 = Coach Shevica

Kelas 4 - 6
Sesi 1 = Coach Swanky
Sesi 2 = Coach Lusiana

Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus

1. Story:

• Tell the story of Jesus healing the blind man (based on Mark 10:46-52 or Luke 18:35-42)

2. Lesson:

• The blind beggar, Bartimaeus, could not see. But he could hear the crowd passing by. And he could shout. So he shouted, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
• How did the crowd react? They scolded him. They asked him to be quiet. In their eyes, blind people should be seen and not heard — maybe they thought he was unworthy to disturb Jesus.
• Did that stop the blind man? No. In fact, he shouted even louder. “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
• Sometimes when we call on Jesus, some people may ask us to keep quiet.  “Don’t disturb Jesus. He’s very important. And you … who are you? What do you have to offer Him? Don’t make so much noise.”
• But we don’t have to let that stop us. We should be like Bartimaeus and call on Jesus anyway — We can be bold because we know He loves us so much.
• And Jesus heard the blind beggar. And He asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus said, “Lord, I want to see.” And Jesus healed him!

• Today, Jesus is asking us the same question, “What do you want me to do for you?”
• And we can, like Bartimaeus, say, “Lord, I want to see.”
• What can we see?
• Physical sight: healing — Jesus came to open blind eyes (Isaiah 42:7)
•  Spiritual sight: We can see …
• Jesus (Luke 24:31)
• His beauty (Psalm 27:4)
• His goodness (Psalm 34:8)
• His salvation (Luke 2:30-32; Acts 26:16-18)
• 
  
• When Bartimaeus received his sight, He followed Jesus and praised God. Those around also praised God. When we see Jesus, in His beauty, His wonder, and all that He has done for us, we will also follow Him and praise God. All around us will also praise God.
• Memory verse: Isaiah 35:5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 

4. Activity Suggestion

• Worksheet
• Related craft with the memory verse

7 Oktober 2012

Kelas 1 - 3

Sesi 1 = Coach Lily Bun
Sesi 2 = Coach Yudistira

Kelas 4 - 6
Sesi 1 = Coach Andy
Sesi 2 = Coach Kezia

Jesus heals the leper

Lesson: Jesus is able and willing to heal 

1. Game: Tag

• Have one kid wear a hat or something distinctive. This kid has to try to tag the other children.
• All other children have to keep away from this kid.
• Once they are tagged/touched by this kid, they have to go behind the kid and hold his/her shoulders. The more children the kid touches, the longer the chain of children behind him/her.
• Game ends when there are 10 or 15 kids in the chain.
  (play by ear, according to crowd and time; avoid over rowdiness)

2. Story:

• Tell the story of Jesus healing the leper from Luke 5:12-16.
• Picture ideas #1, #2
•  Act it out idea: use baby powder to cover face, arms etc to depict leprosy; wipe off when "healed"
•  Jesus went to town one day and met a man with leprosy.
• Who knows what leprosy is?
•  Leprosy is a disease that affects the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. It can cause fingers and toes to be shortened and deformed. It’s an infectious disease. In the Bible, leprosy can also refer to other infectious skin diseases.
•  Just like the game, if you are too close to the leper, you could get infected with leprosy yourself. So nobody liked to be near a leper. If they saw a leper coming, they would go far, far away.
• These lepers were outcasts; they had to stay outside of town. When they come into town, they had to announce loudly, “Unclean, unclean” to warn others of their presence.
• Can you imagine what it’s like to live like that?
• This leper must have been so tired of living this way. When he saw Jesus, he forgot all the rules of staying away from other people.
• He fell face down to the ground and begged Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
• This man must have heard of Jesus’ miracles. He knew Jesus could heal him. But was Jesus willing? Maybe he wasn’t good enough to be healed. Maybe Jesus couldn’t be bothered about someone like him. Maybe Jesus didn’t want to be contaminated by him.
• How do you think Jesus reacted?
• Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. Isn’t that amazing? Nobody wanted to be near lepers. Nobody touched him for years. And here was Jesus, touching him! Jesus could have just stood at a distance and healed the man, but He reached out and touched him, showing His love.
• Then Jesus said, “I am willing. Be clean!” And immediately ... the leprosy left him! Praise the Lord!

3. Lesson: Good news for today!

• The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus will “carry our sicknesses and diseases”.
• But even though we know Jesus can heal us, sometime we don’t think He wants to.
• We think that maybe He won’t heal us because we’ve been naughty or we’re not good enough. We think maybe He’s got more important things to do. We think maybe He wants us to be sick so we can learn a lesson.
• But the truth is that Jesus took all our sicknesses on the cross when He died. He is able to heal us. And more importantly, He is willing! He is reaching out to touch us with love and compassion!
• If anyone of you are sick today, put your hand on the part of the body that’s not feeling well. And pray this prayer: “Thank you Jesus that when you died on the cross, You carried all my sins and sicknesses. Thank you Jesus that you are able to heal me. Thank you Jesus that you are willing to heal me. In Jesus’ name, I receive my healing. Amen!”
• Memory Verse: “He carried our sicknesses and our diseases.” Isaiah 53:4.or “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Mark 1:41

4. Activity Ideas:

a. Craft:

• Materials: Notecards and band aids
• Have the kids sit in 3 small groups.
• On one side of the notecard: Stick 2 band aids on it as a cross and write the memory verse on the card.
• On the other side of the notecard: Write a prayer of thanks for Jesus’ healing for themselves or other people. “Thank you Jesus for healing me of _________” or “Thank you Jesus for healing my mummy of ___________”
• Pray together with each kid.
• Assure kids that Jesus is able and willing to heal them all the time!

*****

Youth Bible Study

Leader's Guide

Jesus is able and willing to heal 

Read Luke 5:12-16.

1.       Who did Jesus meet in the village?

A man covered with leprosy.

2.       What is leprosy?

Leprosy was a dreaded and infectious skin disease that leads to physical disfigurement due to loss of sensation at the nerve receptors (they cannot feel pain) and degeneration of tissue.

3.       How were people with leprosy treated? (cref Lev 13:45-46)

According to the Law, people with leprosy were considered “unclean” and shunned. They had to live apart from their family, outside the town, and shout “unclean” when in the presence of others. In the Old Testament, leprosy was a sign of God’s judgement and a consequence of sin.

When Jesus came, He demonstrated God’s grace and compassion by showing love and healing to lepers.

4.       What did the man do when he saw Jesus? Why do you think he said that?

He fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

He probably heard of the miracles Jesus had been performing and knew He was able to heal him. But he wasn’t sure if Jesus was willing to or not. Maybe he wasn’t good enough to be healed. Maybe Jesus couldn’t be bothered about someone like him. Maybe Jesus didn’t want to be contaminated by him. Maybe Jesus thought he deserved to have leprosy.

5.       How did Jesus respond? Why do you think He did what He did?

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. He said, “I am willing. Be clean!”And immediately the leprosy left him.

Nobody wanted to be near lepers. Nobody touched him for years. Jesus could have just stood at a distance and healed the man, but He reached out and touched him, showing His love.

But more importantly, Jesus said that He was willing to heal the man. And He tells us the same thing today: Whatever our sickness or problems, He is willing to heal and solve them for us! In fact, He already did at the cross 2000 years ago!

6.       What did Jesus tell the man to do next?

Jesus told the man not to tell anyone about the miracle but to go show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices as a testimony to them. This was so the man could be reconciled back to his family and society.

7.       Still the news got out, and people flocked to Jesus who was still willing to heal them of their sicknesses. But where would Jesus often go to and why?

He would withdraw to lonely places to pray. He knew that all good things came from God. He could only give what He had received from God, not from His own strength. So Jesus loved to spend time with His heavenly Father and receive from Him.

Likewise, whatever we do or give, it has to come from the overflow of our lives, not from our own selves or strength. So before we serve or minister, we should spend time with God and receive from Him. Then it will overflow from our lives to others around us.

Lesson:

• The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus will “carry our sicknesses and diseases”.
• But even though we know Jesus can heal us, sometime we don’t think He wants to. We think that maybe He won’t heal us because we’ve been naughty or we’re not good enough. We think maybe He’s got more important things to do. We think maybe He wants us to be sick so we can learn a lesson.
• But the truth is that Jesus took all our sicknesses on the cross when He died. He is able to heal us. And more importantly, He is willing! He is reaching out to touch us with love and compassion!
• If anyone of you are sick today, put your hand on the part of the body that’s not feeling well. And pray this prayer: “Thank you Jesus that when you died on the cross, You carried all my sins and sicknesses. Thank you Jesus that you are able to heal me. Thank you Jesus that you are willing to heal me. In Jesus’ name, I receive my healing. Amen!”
• Memory Verse: “He carried our sicknesses and our diseases.” Isaiah 53:4.