Leader Guide
Artist: Anne Wilson
Artist: Anne Wilson
URL: http://www.annewilsonofficial.com
Album: My Jesus
Record Label: Capitol Christian Music Group
Song: My Jesus
Sarah Taylor
FIrst United Methodist Church
Cynthiana, KY
[email protected]
Themes
Comfort in Grief, God’s love, Healing
Objective
To remind students that, despite the troubles they may face, God’s love is always available through Jesus.
Warm up
Gather students in a darkened room – create some mood lighting with candles, maybe some soft instrumental music playing. As students gather quietly, read to them “The Dark Place” by Jenny Craiger (The Dark Place (skitguys.com) )
Transition/Video
We’ve all been in a dark place haven’t we? Even if you haven’t yet, at some point…unfortunately…you’re bound to find yourself in the darkness sometime.
We have a choice when we’re in the darkness – don’t we? We can crumble under the weight of it or we can allow Jesus in to help carry the burden.
Anne Wilson found herself in crushing darkness when she lost her brother in a tragic car accident. Her response was to lean into Jesus. Listen to her song, “My Jesus.”
Bible Study
Luke 8: 40-56
Wrap Up
If you haven’t watched The Chosen, I highly recommend it!! In this series about Jesus’ life and ministry, we not only see Jesus in a real and personal light, but we meet the people surrounding him in a very real way.
We meet Mary Magdalene at her lowest moment. Tormented by demons, she wants for nothing more than the pain to go away, for the suffering to end.
We meet Simon at his lowest moment. He’s in over his head with the Romans, forced to help turn in his fellow fishermen for fishing on Shabbot, all so he can pay off his back taxes.
We meet Nathanael at his lowest moment. An architect ruined by a tragic workplace accident! He’s desperate for God to hear him.
But then Jesus shows up.
That’s always how it seems to work, isn’t it? We’re at our lowest – much like the bleeding woman in Luke – and Jesus shows up. And we’re desperate to simply touch his cloak, knowing even just that simple act could bring us some relief.
Jesus heals Mary of her demons. Jesus provides Simon with a miraculous catch of fish to pay off his taxes. Jesus hears Nathanael’s prayer from a distance. Jesus heals the woman’s bleeding and raises a dead girl back to life.
Jesus can bring you out of your dark moments, too. Instead of running from Jesus…instead of blaming God for the bad things that happen…lean into Jesus. Allow him to carry the weight of your burdens. Allow him to heal your pain.
Remember the God who sees you from a distance. The God who knows you by name.
Artist: Anne Wilson
Artist: Anne Wilson
URL: http://www.annewilsonofficial.com
Album: My Jesus
Record Label: Capitol Christian Music Group
Song: My Jesus
Sarah Taylor
FIrst United Methodist Church
Cynthiana, KY
[email protected]
Themes
Comfort in Grief, God’s love, Healing
Objective
To remind students that, despite the troubles they may face, God’s love is always available through Jesus.
Warm up
Gather students in a darkened room – create some mood lighting with candles, maybe some soft instrumental music playing. As students gather quietly, read to them “The Dark Place” by Jenny Craiger (The Dark Place (skitguys.com) )
Transition/Video
We’ve all been in a dark place haven’t we? Even if you haven’t yet, at some point…unfortunately…you’re bound to find yourself in the darkness sometime.
We have a choice when we’re in the darkness – don’t we? We can crumble under the weight of it or we can allow Jesus in to help carry the burden.
Anne Wilson found herself in crushing darkness when she lost her brother in a tragic car accident. Her response was to lean into Jesus. Listen to her song, “My Jesus.”
Bible Study
Luke 8: 40-56
- How long had the woman been dealing with her health issues?
- Can you imagine having a chronic condition for that long?
- How do you think she felt?
- What was her thought to seeing Jesus in the crowd?
- What was Jesus’ response?
- How did the disciples respond?
- How do you think you would have responded if you were the woman?
- Do you think Jesus was irritated in this moment? Why/why not?
- What was the situation at Jairus’ house?
- What did Jesus do?
- What was the reaction of the people who were there?
- Have you had a similar experience with Jesus?
- How does it make you feel to know that God knows you by name?
- How does it make you feel to know that God sees you through the darkness?
Wrap Up
If you haven’t watched The Chosen, I highly recommend it!! In this series about Jesus’ life and ministry, we not only see Jesus in a real and personal light, but we meet the people surrounding him in a very real way.
We meet Mary Magdalene at her lowest moment. Tormented by demons, she wants for nothing more than the pain to go away, for the suffering to end.
We meet Simon at his lowest moment. He’s in over his head with the Romans, forced to help turn in his fellow fishermen for fishing on Shabbot, all so he can pay off his back taxes.
We meet Nathanael at his lowest moment. An architect ruined by a tragic workplace accident! He’s desperate for God to hear him.
But then Jesus shows up.
That’s always how it seems to work, isn’t it? We’re at our lowest – much like the bleeding woman in Luke – and Jesus shows up. And we’re desperate to simply touch his cloak, knowing even just that simple act could bring us some relief.
Jesus heals Mary of her demons. Jesus provides Simon with a miraculous catch of fish to pay off his taxes. Jesus hears Nathanael’s prayer from a distance. Jesus heals the woman’s bleeding and raises a dead girl back to life.
Jesus can bring you out of your dark moments, too. Instead of running from Jesus…instead of blaming God for the bad things that happen…lean into Jesus. Allow him to carry the weight of your burdens. Allow him to heal your pain.
Remember the God who sees you from a distance. The God who knows you by name.