Life isn’t easy. Things happen. Look at Jairus and the woman who suffered from bleeding. Mark 5:22 says Jairus was a synagogue leader. He was a community leader. Everyone knew him. He was well off. Then his daughter got sick. And as time went on, she grew worse and worse until she was at the point of death. As he looked out his window, he saw a crowd. Jesus had come to town!
Look at the woman who for twelve years suffered a constant flow of blood. It made her ceremonially unclean, preventing her from worshiping in the temple. She was a social outcast. The woman’s circumstances were beyond her control. She was desperate for help beyond what this world could offer. Nonetheless, her circumstances summoned faith from within. She ran toward Jesus, whom she believed could heal her when no one else could.
These are examples of the beginning of biblical faith—simply looking at Jesus as the One who can help and coming to Him. But often it takes overwhelming circumstances before we’re ready to come. We must become desperate enough to come to Jesus. It means letting go of pride. It’s saying to yourself, “I can’t do this. I need supernatural help.”
When we come by faith to Jesus with our defiling disease of sin—no matter how unclean we may be—His grace will wash us clean. He will make us well again.
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults
Every week for Volume 4: From Captivity to the Wilderness, Ken Braddy, Lifeway’s director of Sunday School, will offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Adults.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Students
Every week, student ministry leaders offer guidance to help leaders prepare to lead and teach each session of The Gospel Project for Students. Listen in as he shares:
- The main point of the session
- Any challenges and opportunities for additional discussion that may arise during this session
- Encouragements for leaders
Podcast (studentsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
A Final Reminder
Don’t forget, you can find tools to help you prepare and lead the discussion in the Additional Resources for this volume. We hope these are a blessing to you as you walk through this session together.
*This week’s leader devotional is written by David McLemore. It is adapted from the daily devotions for Unit 22, Session 2 from The Gospel Project for Adults’ Daily Discipleship Guide.