Summer Sunday School: June 16

This week’s passages are from Psalm 5:1-8 and Luke 7:36-50.

Psalm 5

Psalm 5 initially appears to be a personal outpouring of anxieties by David. Throughout his life, he was plagued by enemies and constantly at war with neighboring nations. He also had to contend with fierce family rivalries between his sons that ended up in bloody civil wars.

In this Psalm, David appeals to God to rescue him through His mercy and righteousness. David feels as though he is a victim and therefore seeks vindication from God. However, the Temple is also mentioned, which means that some verses were added on to this original Davidic psalm. How do we know this? - because David was not alive when the Temple was built.

Questions for study and reflection

Why does David come to God for help? What does this tell us about the king’s situation?

David prays to God and makes his petitions in the morning. When and how do we make our personal requests to God on a daily basis?

David describes God as taking no pleasure in evil and hating all wrong. How would you define evil in today’s world? Does God actually oppose it?

The other psalmist comes to the house of God to make his requests. Is being in church important when we pray? What makes each of our sanctuaries a house of God?

Luke 7:36-50

            

Compassion and faith seem to be the main themes of Luke 7. In this passage, Jesus is humbly served by a heartbroken woman. The holy people in Christ’s company are offended by this intrusion. Jesus uses the event as a special teaching moment about sin, repentance, and charity.

            

Simon the Pharisee is probably a good man because he takes the opportunity to invite Christ into his home. He is blind-sided by the woman’s unexpected interruption. Jesus, however, does not rebuke Simon for his lack of understanding. Instead, He graciously takes Him to a higher level of spiritual maturity.

Questions for study and reflection

What made Simon the Pharisee invite Jesus to his home? Why did Jesus accept the invitation?

Why did the woman feel compelled to go and find Jesus? What do you think made her weep publicly at his feet?

Jesus uses the situation to talk about being grateful for the forgiving of debts. What debts have we incurred with God and how do we seek them to be forgiven?

Jesus says to the woman that her faith has saved her. From what has she been saved? How does this apply in our own situations?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 42:1-7 & Luke 8:26-39

Summer Sunday School: Sunday May 26

Summer Sunday School

All of our Sunday School classes are over for the first part of the year. They will return in August, when students of all ages can participate in special Bible lessons.

Throughout the summer, you can do your own Sunday School study at home, in a coffee house, or even in a church classroom. The pastor will write a short note about the Sunday readings for the sermon, as well as some questions for further study and personal reflection.

This week’s passages are from Psalm 8:1-9 and John 16:12-15.

Psalm 8

Psalm 8 is a beautiful ancient poem about God’s creative powers. Some scholars believe that it was even written before the Genesis creation narratives. Whatever its origins, the psalm is an expression of wonder and joy. Even today, with all of our amazing technology to look at the stars at the furthest part of the universe, this psalm invokes a wonderful thought of people being lovingly and specially created by God. As we look at the night sky and think about the wonders of creation, what is it, the psalmist asks, that makes us so special in God’s eyes?

Questions for study and reflection

How does the world around us display God’s majesty and power?

When you look at the stars, what do you think about?

Why do you think God made people?

Why do you think God made you?

 

John 16:12-15

            The Gospel of John was written at a time when the Young Christian Church was in jeopardy. The apostle John was among the last known surviving followers of Jesus, so his Gospel is written at a time when second and third generation Christians were wondering if the stories about Jesus were actually true.

            In this short passage, John emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit to bring the Church guidance and truth. These gifts were essential for the ministry and mission of the Gospel to continue. They are also sacred gifts that every generation of Christ’s followers require, even down to this present day.

Questions for study and reflection

How can we know if what is written in the Gospels about Jesus is actually true? Where does that truth come from?

Why does the Church still need to be guided by the Holy Spirit? What important issues are we currently struggling with and experiencing?

Where do we see the Holy Spirit at work within the Church?

How does the Holy Spirit help us to become better disciples of Christ? Does He do it for us or Jesus?

 

Any other thoughts or questions?

 

 

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 96:1-6 & Luke 7:1-10

 

Connections Class: Prayer Changes Things (4) - Healing

Prayer is an essential ingredient of our Christian faith, but sometimes people find it hard to pray. This short series discusses different types of prayers, as well as focusing on how and what to pray for.

Healing – from old English word “hal” or “Helen” – to be whole, complete, perfect

1          a : to make sound or whole <heal a wound> b : to restore to health

2          a : to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome :mend 

            b : to patch up (a breach or division) <heal a breach between friends>

3           to restore to original purity or integrity <healed of sin>

Example of healing prayers in today’s bulletin

Pastor:             O Lord, as we abide in Your sanctuary, may Your Holy Spirit descend upon us. As                          we await Your sacred presence, may Your righteousness cover all our sins.

People:           Speak to our hearts, Loving Father, and let Your truth comfort our souls. When                                 we are hurting, heal our pain. When we are grieving, grant us grace. When we                                  are fearful, fill us with faith.

Pastor:             Gracious Lord, we depend upon Your promises to sustain us in times of trouble,                            worry, and stress. Hear our prayers, Holy Lord. Heal our loved ones, and us, from                        all the harm and ill health that damages our hearts and minds, as well as our                              bodies and souls. Hear us now as we quietly pray.

Silent Prayers for others and ourselves. A candle is lit.

Pastor:             The Lord keeps His word, so we shall not be shaken. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.                    (Healing prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 15)

Why do we pray for healing during worship? What are we asking for in today’s prayers? How do we use the time of silence? What is the candle for? Why use the psalms?

Bible examples of healing prayers

Psalm 38:1-8

1 O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 

2 For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. 

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. 

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 

5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 

6 I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 

7 My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 

8 I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.

Is this a prayer or a complaint? How ill is the psalmist? Why does he reach out to God? What healing is he actually looking for? Do we equate God’s anger with sickness today?

Mark 7:24-30

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet.26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 

27 "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 

28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 

29 Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

What causes the woman to beg for her daughter? Why does Jesus delay the healing? How does the woman respond? How is the healing transmitted? What does this passage tell us about praying for healing?

Acts 3:2-8

2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

Where do Peter and John get the power to heal? What is remarkable about this healing? What does this tell us about healing by Christ through His Church? How do we practice this today?

Any other questions?

Healing Prayers -        A word about OUR EXPECTATIONS: we are meeting together in the name of Jesus, and we are sure that according to His promise He is with us.  He is still the healing Lord, and through Him God answers our prayers.  We can therefore confidently expect SOME healing touch or gift for all those for whom we pray.  It may be a physical healing; it may be swift and dramatic, though more often it is likely to be gradual or cumulative.  It may be an invitation to trust and follow Jesus in a new way, and perhaps a call to penitence and forgiveness – or to forgive others.  It may be a healing of wounded relationships.  God has many healing gifts in store for us, if we turn to Him and work with Him, together, in faith and love. – Sandy Duff, Scotland.