LESSON 15: READ AND RESPOND
THEME: HEALINGS AND MIRACLES – PART 2
VERSE: John 12:40: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”
VOCABULARY: spend time, busy, overcome, encourage
STORY: There is a family. In the family, there is a mom, dad, son, and daughter. The family is a great family. They spend a lot of time together. For a long time, the family went to church. But as the kids grew up the family got busier and busier. They spent less time going to church and spending time with the Lord. Eventually, they ended up following the ways of the world more than the ways of the Lord. They knew that God was real but they didn’t take the time to pursue Him. They slowly became more and more separated from God. John 12:40 says, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” The Lord speaks often about people who are spiritually blind, and the Lord really wants them to turn to Him. The family knew that they had become spiritually blind but did not know what to do. Their friends started to encourage them to go back to church and to join their small group. With the help of their friends and family the Lord helped them come back to Him. The family was very thankful. They learned so much more about the Lord and the family had an even stronger relationship with Him.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a family. (Who is there?) In the family there is a mom, dad, son, and daughter. (Who is in the family?) The family is a great family. (How is the family?) They spend a lot of time together. (Do they spend time together?) For a long time the family went to church. (Did the family go to church?) But as the kids grew up the family got busier and busier. They spent less time going to church and spending time with the Lord. (What happened?) Eventually they ended up following the ways of the world more than the ways of the Lord. (What did they follow?) They knew that God was real but they didn’t take the time to pursue Him. (Did they believe in God?) They slowly became more and more separated from God. (What happened to their relationship with the Lord?) John 12:40 says, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” (What does the verse tell us?) The Lord speaks often about people who are spiritually blind, and the Lord really wants them to turn to Him. (What does the Lord want from us?) The family knew that they had become spiritually blind but did not know what to do. (Did they know what to do?) Their friends started to encourage them to go back to church and to join their small group. (Who started to encourage them?) With the help of their friends and family the Lord helped them come back to Him. (Who helped them?) The family was very thankful. They learned so much more about the Lord and the family had an even stronger relationship with Him. (What happened to their relationship with the Lord?)
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.
- Discuss the following questions:
- What causes spiritual blindness?
- How can we overcome spiritual blindness?
- What does the story tell us about spiritual blindness?
- End the class with prayer.