LESSON 20- LISTEN AND RESPOND
THEME: Health Problems – Husband’s Version
VERSES:
- Jeremiah 33:6: “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.”
- Isaiah 33:2: “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.”
VOCABULARY: happily, believers, diagnosed, devastated, blame, courageous, remission, grateful, distress
STORY: There is a man. His name is John. He is 38 years old. He has a wife and two kids. His wife’s name is Maria. Maria is 36 years old. John and Maria are happily married. They both love what they do and they love the family they have created. They both are strong believers and have been going to church their whole life. Then one day everything changed for them. John’s wife Maria was diagnosed with cancer. John was devastated but knew that he had to be strong for his wife. All he wanted to do was cry out and blame God. However, he knew that would not do him any good. Instead, he got down on his knees and prayed. Whenever John was feeling down, he would go to his Bible to seek guidance from the Lord. John was reminded over and over of God’s healings. Jeremiah 33:6 says, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” John believed with all his heart that the Lord would heal his wife. He knew that it could not be her time to die. Every day he saw his wife be strong for the family even when she was suffering. He had never met someone so courageous. Her strength in the Lord strengthened his strength in the Lord. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” John repeated this verse every morning. John needed this reminder that God was his strength in his time of distress. After some time the family found out that Maria was in remission. John was extremely grateful and he knew he owed it all to the Lord. John knew that many families were not as lucky as his family. Many families lose family members to cancer and John knew that he needed to give all his praises to the Lord.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a man. (Is there a man or woman?) His name is John. (What is his name? He is 38 years old. (How old is he?) He has a wife and two kids. (How many kids does he have?) His wife’s name is Maria. (What is his wife’s name?) Maria is 36 years old. (How old is Maria?) John and Maria are happily married. (Are they happily married?) They both love what they do and they love the family they have created. (Do they like what they do?) They both are strong believers and have been going to church their whole life. (Are they both believers?) Then one day everything changed for them. John’s wife Maria was diagnosed with cancer. (What happened to John and Maria?) John was devastated but knew that he had to be strong for his wife. (How does John feel?) All he wanted to do was cry out and blame God. (Who did John want to blame?) However, he knew that would not do him any good. (Would blaming God help him?) Instead, he got down on his knees and prayed. (What did John do instead?) Whenever John was feeling down, he would go to his Bible to seek guidance from the Lord. (Who did God seek guidance from?) John was reminded over and over of God’s healings. (What was John reminded of?) Jeremiah 33:6 says, “Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” John believed with all his heart that the Lord would heal his wife. (What did John believe?) He knew that it could not be her time to die. Every day he saw his wife be strong for the family even when she was suffering. (How was his wife?) He had never met someone so courageous. (Who was courageous?) Her strength in the Lord strengthened his strength in the Lord. Isaiah 33:2 says, “Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” John repeated this verse every morning. (Which verse gave John the strength to keep fighting?) John needed this reminder that God was his strength in his time of distress. After some time the family found out that Maria was in remission. (What did the family find out?) John was extremely grateful and he knew he owed it all to the Lord. (How does John feel?) John knew that many families were not as lucky as his family. Many families lose family members to cancer and John knew that he needed to give all his praises to the Lord. (Who does John give all his praises to?)
ACTIVITIES:
- Review the vocabulary words. Listen to the Vocabulary File for pronunciation. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know.
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read through the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read through the story and answer the questions.
- Answer the following questions:
- Who is there for us when we are fighting battles?
- Who can we lean on in times of distress?
- Who is our healer?
- Listen to the song, “This Is How I Fight My Battles” and discuss it as a class.
- Have the students spend some time giving God their troubles and worries. They might say something like, “God, right now I’m worried about _____. I choose to give it to You, and I ask for Your help.”
- End the class with prayer.