Luke/Acts for Beginners

The intent of this message is for students to recognize that there are many socially unacceptable people we encounter in our lives each day. It might be someone with AIDS, someone physically or mentally handicapped, someone from a minority race or gender, someone less educated, someone who is poor or any other social variance.

We should react to it as Jesus did. He saw a need and responded to it. No matter who a person is, where they are from or their situation, they need our Lord's spiritual healing. Our role as disciples is to carry the gospel to all the world, regardless of the differences in situations.

This man showed his faith by acknowledging the source of his healing. The others were certainly grateful, but one took the extra step. In like manner, we are certainly grateful for our spiritual healing. We must acknowledge that it comes through Jesus and thus demonstrates our faith. James makes the point that true faith involves putting that faith into action.

We have the tendency to wait until the last minute to do something. This is especially true if we perceive what we need to do as something we would rather not do. Man has looked for signs in many places, usually the wrong place when seeking the right time to make a decision, even not recognizing something right before them. This was what the Jews were guilty of and what we should avoid. Jesus is teaching us that the signs are already there, and we must not delay. Furthermore, we have no control over the length for our lives. It will be too late if we simply wait to respond to our Lord by looking for signs.

Additionally, looking for "signs" is not acting in faith. It is relying instead on our own wisdom. Satan will do what he can to blind us to the need to obey now. He will instill in us a sense of complacency by leading us to believe that all is well and we have plenty of time to make our decision for Christ.

We recognize the need for prayer but sometimes don't know the right thing to say or how to say it. Sometimes a simple prayer of "help me Father" is sufficient. Our Lord invites us to come to Him with our needs. Jesus teaches us to do so with perseverance (sticking to it), humility (recognizing our need and God's ability to meet that need), and innocence (no pretext or hidden agenda).

In this parable the widow needed relief from her opponent. It wasn't so much about how often she prayed but God not delaying to help those who are His. God promises to answer prayers for those who are His. If He wills to answer the prayers of others, then that is indeed an act of grace and worthy of continued praise to Him. But there is no promise that He will answer the prayer of one who is not His child. When we read of Paul's conversion in Acts 9 and Cornelius' conversion in Acts 10, we see that they were both praying to God. In both cases, the first response by God to their prayer was for them becoming children of God.

Answers will vary but the main intent of this parable is to teach that we must come to God with humility. The Pharisee came to God in righteousness. He's communicating that he did not need God. The tax collector, by contrast, was so humble he could not even lift his eyes toward God. He was showing his deep need for God. As a result, God rewarded his prayer.

When we come to God, we need to express true humility. One way we can do this is to make glorifying God part of our prayer. We ask God for something in our prayer and must show that we want the answer so that God continues to be glorified by His answer. Consider that if we truly are the servant, then what "right" do we have to ask the Master for anything? Yet, God invites us to come to Him with our needs. However, we must not be like the Pharisee and make demands of God, rather we should humbly come to God in love and devotion, thanking Him for His graciousness. In all things, we give God the glory!

Answers will vary. Responses will include the endearing characteristics of children such as innocence, faith, humility, joy, openness, forgiveness, compassion and all the other characteristics that are part of who Jesus was. If we are to be like Christ (Christian) then we must also learn and demonstrate the characteristics of Christ.

The rich young man relied too much on his personal wealth, position and power. Jesus knew the young man's heart. We are like that in many ways. We sometimes want to do our Lord's will and follow Him, but on our terms and not having to give up what we have in life. We should remember that our Lord emptied Himself for us. We must be willing to do the same. Hanging on to the things in our life is not showing faith in our Lord. Turning our lives over to our Lord is not a "one-time" event. It is a way of life. As we grow, we will learn how to do this and become naturally more willing to do so.

Look for specific answers showing commitment to our Lord. Encourage students to make that commitment by turning over to the Lord whatever is hindering them in their obedience and service. Encourage them to learn the characteristics of Jesus and make these a greater part of who they are so they can continue to grow spiritually.