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Healing at the Pool: Faith in Action

Title: Healing at the Pool: Faith in Action

Objective: To explore the healing of the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, emphasizing the importance of faith in action and its relevance in our lives as seniors.

Introduction:
Today, we are focusing on a powerful story found in the Gospel of John, specifically John 5:1-9. This narrative not only highlights Jesus’ compassion but also calls us to recognize the role of faith and action in our healing and everyday lives. As we dive into this scripture, let us reflect on how we can put our faith into action, especially in our later years.

Scripture Reading: John 5:1-9 (NIV)
I will share a brief recount of the passage, emphasizing the man’s condition, his encounter with Jesus, and the transformative power of faith.

  1. The Setting – The Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-3):

    • The Pool of Bethesda was known for its healing properties; people believed that the waters were stirred by an angel, and the first to enter would be healed.
    • Here, we see a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed—waiting for a chance at healing. This imagery reminds us of life’s circumstances, where we may feel surrounded by challenges or weaknesses.

  2. The Encounter – Jesus and the Lame Man (John 5:6-8):

    • Jesus approaches a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. He asks, "Do you want to get well?"
    • This question can seem obvious, and yet it is profound. It speaks to the idea of desire and readiness for change.
    • The man’s response reveals his helplessness; he believes he cannot get to the water in time, highlighting the importance of taking personal initiative in our healing journey.

  3. The Healing – Faith in Action (John 5:9):

    • Jesus tells the man, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." In this moment, the man’s faith is required to take action.
    • He responds by obeying Jesus’ command, leading to his healing. This act is essential; it wasn’t just about waiting for the healing but responding to Jesus’ invitation.

Discussion Points:

  1. The Power of Desire: Like the lame man, we must ask ourselves if we truly desire healing or change in our lives. Faith begins with a willingness to trust God with our circumstances.

    • Reflection Question: What areas in our lives do we need to express a desire for healing or change?

  2. Obedience and Action: The man had to rise, pick up his mat, and walk. This obedience demonstrated his faith.

    • Reflection Question: How can we express our faith through action in our daily lives? What steps can we take to move from stagnation to action?

  3. Overcoming Obstacles: The man was facing significant physical and social barriers. Similarly, we may face age-related challenges or societal perceptions.

    • Reflection Question: What barriers are we facing today? How can we lean on our faith to overcome them?

  4. Encouraging One Another: As seniors, we have wisdom and experience to share. Let us support each other in our faith journeys.

    • Reflection Question: How can we encourage one another to take steps of faith? Are there ways we can serve our community together?

Conclusion:
The story of the healing at the Pool of Bethesda teaches us not only about Jesus’ miraculous power but also about the importance of faith in action. In our senior years, we can continue to seek healing, respond to God’s voice, and take steps of faith. Let us pray for courage to act on our faith, for strength to support one another, and for the grace to be a light in our community.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of Jesus and the reminder of the power of faith in our lives. Help us to recognize our desires for healing and change, and give us the courage to respond in faith. May we support one another as we take steps of obedience, trusting in Your goodness and grace. Amen.

You Might Enjoy: From Paralyzed to Purposeful – A John 5 Story | The Gospel of Mark: A Compelling Account of Christ’s Life |

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Possible Viewpont: Evangelical Christian

Scriptures

John 5:1-9
Isaiah 53:5
James 5:14-16
Psalm 147:3
Matthew 9:35
1 Peter 2:24
Mark 11:24
Hebrews 11:1
Luke 17:19
Romans 10:17

Questions for Lesson

1. In the story of the healing at the pool, what role does faith play in the man’s healing as described in John 5:1-5, John 5:6-9?

2. How does the response of the man who was healed reflect your own experiences with faith and healing in your life?

3. What specific lessons about compassion and helping others can we learn from Jesus’ interaction with the man at the pool?

4. How do the actions of the man after he was healed challenge you in your own faith journey?

5. In John 5:6-9, what does Jesus mean when He tells the man to “Get up, take up your bed, and walk”? What does this imply about taking action in our faith?

6. Can you recall a time in your life when you had to act on your faith, similar to the man at the pool? How did that experience shape your walk with God?

Worship Music for Lesson

1. “He Touched Me” by Bill Gaither
2. “I Will Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle
3. “The Wonder of It All” by George Beverly Shea
4. “Healing Rain” by Michael W. Smith

Object Lesson

Title: Healing at the Pool: Faith in Action

Objective: To illustrate the story of John 5:1-9, focusing on the themes of faith, healing, and action, in a way that is engaging and relatable for seniors.

Props Needed:
1. A small inflatable pool or a large bucket painted to look like a pool
2. Towels (two or three to represent the man and perhaps the surroundings)
3. A foldable wheelchair or a regular chair
4. A sign that says “Healing Pool” to place next to the pool
5. A large picture or poster depicting Jesus (optional)
6. A small water pitcher to simulate the “pool” water
7. A few toy figures or dolls to represent people around the pool
8. A clock or a timer (to emphasize waiting)
9. A baseball or similar object to represent the act of making an effort and taking action.

Presentation Steps:

1. **Setting the Scene:**
Begin by setting up the inflatable pool or bucket in a prominent location. Place the “Healing Pool” sign next to it and arrange towels around it to create a calming atmosphere resembling a poolside. If available, hang or display the picture of Jesus nearby.

2. **Introducing the Story:**
Gather the seniors around the pool. Start by introducing the story: “Today, we are going to learn about a man who was healed at a pool through his faith and action.”

3. **Describing the Situation:**
Present the foldable wheelchair or regular chair to represent the man who had been disabled for 38 years. Explain that he was waiting next to the pool for someone to help him into the water. Emphasize the length of his wait, showing the seniors the clock or timer, and say, “Imagine waiting for so long!”

4. **Role-Playing:**
Use doll figures as the people around the pool. Have a few seniors stand to represent these figures, discussing how they may have been busy or distracted while the man waited. Encourage laughter and engagement as they mimic the scene of bustling activity around the pool.

5. **Faith in Action:**
Now, introduce the baseball or object. Explain how, when Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed, he expressed his hope but also his frustration about not being able to get into the water. Discuss how it’s not enough just to believe; one has to take action. Use the baseball to illustrate that faith without action, like hitting a baseball, means nothing. You can toss the baseball gently among the seniors, encouraging them to think of ways they can take action in their lives.

6. **Highlighting the Miracle:**
Next, describe how Jesus not only spoke to the man but also commanded him to “Get up, take your mat, and walk.” Have a senior act out getting up from the chair or wheelchair (or simply standing up) and taking a few steps, demonstrating the miracle of faith put into action.

7. **Conclude with Reflection:**
Wrap up the illustration by inviting seniors to share their own experiences where they felt a similar need for faith or healing in their life. Emphasize that sometimes, faith requires us to step forward, just like the man at the pool did.

8. **Closing Prayer:**
Finish by leading a short prayer, asking for increased faith and the courage to act in our lives, just as the man did when he was healed.

This interactive method not only retells the story of the healing at the pool but also allows seniors to engage with the message on a personal level, reinforcing the importance of faith in action.

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