January 7, 2018 Jesus Provides The Point: Jesus cares an
Jesus Changes Everything — Session 6— EXTRA! Ideas for Adults Date: January 7, 2018 Jesus Provides The Point: Jesus cares and meets the needs in our lives.
Get Into the Study Use this story to introduce The Point: Jesus cares and meets the needs in our lives. It seems to happen every year: that one most-wanted Christmas toy sells out everywhere. Then the stories start: parents standing in long lines, getting in fights, or paying exorbitant mark-ups for a toy that they think their child really wants. Cabbage Patch kids, Tickle Me Elmo, and Hatchimals have all made the list in the past. This year that toy was Fingerlings. If you weren’t buying for an elementary-aged child, you may not know, but these are small robotic animals (monkeys, sloths, unicorns) that attach to the child’s finger then respond to stimuli by blowing kisses or blinking. While the retail price was only $14.99, eBay sites were reportedly listing them for anywhere from $25-$400. It raises the question, do the recipients of these gifts really appreciate the lengths the parents go to in order to acquire these toys? Ask Question #1: What was something provided for you as a child that you didn’t appreciate at the time?” In this session, we see that Jesus knows what we truly need, and wants to provide for us. Although we often fail to appreciate all that Jesus provides, He continues to meet the needs in our lives. Follow up with prayer before transitioning to the Mark 6:34-37 section. Nikki Wilbanks is a stay-at-home mom, writer, Bible study leader, and commercial real estate appraiser/investor. She graduated from Pepperdine University, and lives with her husband and two children in Murfreesboro, TN.
Study the Bible Use the following as an alternate activity to be used in the Mark 6:38-44 section. Divide learners into two groups and supply each group with paper and pens. The needs of those in our immediate communities and around the world are often so heavy and voluminous we feel defeated in offering anything, as it barely seems to make a dent. In the next five minutes, complete the following activity as a group. Ask the two groups to share results upon completion.
List five ways you can use five dollars to meet the real need of a stranger you meet at a grocery store, restaurant or pharmacy. List five ways you can use ten dollars to meet the real need of a coworker. List five ways you can use twenty-five dollars to meet a real need of an elementary school student.
Use the following questions to discuss the practical ways we can respond to giving opportunities.
How will these specific examples encourage you to meet needs that seem small or insignificant? When met with the opportunity to become the provision of God for someone, what will you say to him or her about the God who has already provided for you?
Emily Jennings (Master of Arts, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 2009) lives and serves in the greater th Atlanta area. She is wife to Brian and mom to three wonderful boys. She teaches the Bible to 8 grade girls at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Find her on Twitter and Instagram: @emilyejenn © Copyright 2017 LifeWay. May be printed and duplicated only for use with Bible Studies for Life. All rights in this work are the property of LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee, 37234.
Additional Questions Icebreaker What’s a type of food that brings forth a childhood memory at Christmastime? What has someone done for you to show care and compassion when you really needed it? When was a time when you felt outmanned and undersupplied? Mark 6:34-37 How has Jesus provided exactly what you needed, perhaps even when you weren’t even aware you needed it? What are some ways meeting immediate physical needs first can lead to opportunities to meet spiritual needs? How can we develop Christ-like compassion? Mark 6:38-44 What is our role in helping people receive Jesus’ miraculous provision? Over the past year, how has God proven to be enough for the challenges you faced? What needs do you see that God might use you to fulfill?
Get Into the Study Use this story to introduce The Point: Jesus cares and meets the needs in our lives. It seems to happen every year: that one most-wanted Christmas toy sells out everywhere. Then the stories start: parents standing in long lines, getting in fights, or paying exorbitant mark-ups for a toy that they think their child really wants. Cabbage Patch kids, Tickle Me Elmo, and Hatchimals have all made the list in the past. This year that toy was Fingerlings. If you weren’t buying for an elementary-aged child, you may not know, but these are small robotic animals (monkeys, sloths, unicorns) that attach to the child’s finger then respond to stimuli by blowing kisses or blinking. While the retail price was only $14.99, eBay sites were reportedly listing them for anywhere from $25-$400. It raises the question, do the recipients of these gifts really appreciate the lengths the parents go to in order to acquire these toys? Ask Question #1: What was something provided for you as a child that you didn’t appreciate at the time?” In this session, we see that Jesus knows what we truly need, and wants to provide for us. Although we often fail to appreciate all that Jesus provides, He continues to meet the needs in our lives. Follow up with prayer before transitioning to the Mark 6:34-37 section. Nikki Wilbanks is a stay-at-home mom, writer, Bible study leader, and commercial real estate appraiser/investor. She graduated from Pepperdine University, and lives with her husband and two children in Murfreesboro, TN.
Study the Bible Use the following as an alternate activity to be used in the Mark 6:38-44 section. Divide learners into two groups and supply each group with paper and pens. The needs of those in our immediate communities and around the world are often so heavy and voluminous we feel defeated in offering anything, as it barely seems to make a dent. In the next five minutes, complete the following activity as a group. Ask the two groups to share results upon completion.
List five ways you can use five dollars to meet the real need of a stranger you meet at a grocery store, restaurant or pharmacy. List five ways you can use ten dollars to meet the real need of a coworker. List five ways you can use twenty-five dollars to meet a real need of an elementary school student.
Use the following questions to discuss the practical ways we can respond to giving opportunities.
How will these specific examples encourage you to meet needs that seem small or insignificant? When met with the opportunity to become the provision of God for someone, what will you say to him or her about the God who has already provided for you?
Emily Jennings (Master of Arts, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 2009) lives and serves in the greater th Atlanta area. She is wife to Brian and mom to three wonderful boys. She teaches the Bible to 8 grade girls at First Baptist Church Woodstock. Find her on Twitter and Instagram: @emilyejenn © Copyright 2017 LifeWay. May be printed and duplicated only for use with Bible Studies for Life. All rights in this work are the property of LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, Tennessee, 37234.
Additional Questions Icebreaker What’s a type of food that brings forth a childhood memory at Christmastime? What has someone done for you to show care and compassion when you really needed it? When was a time when you felt outmanned and undersupplied? Mark 6:34-37 How has Jesus provided exactly what you needed, perhaps even when you weren’t even aware you needed it? What are some ways meeting immediate physical needs first can lead to opportunities to meet spiritual needs? How can we develop Christ-like compassion? Mark 6:38-44 What is our role in helping people receive Jesus’ miraculous provision? Over the past year, how has God proven to be enough for the challenges you faced? What needs do you see that God might use you to fulfill?
