Bartimaeus - An Epitome of Faith and Service

For the past two years, I have listened to some of the recent sermons available at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church website and have been blessed with what I had heard. In fact, periodically, I have made reference to these archived sermons, on this blog.

On 10/31/10 when I was unable to attend a church service, I decided to once again listen to an archived sermon. I was unaware that the GSPC website had undergone a dramatic transformation, so it took me a minute or two to become acclimated to where the recently archived sermons were housed. I quickly found the site map and was overjoyed to discover that visitors to the http://www.gspc.org website can now not only listen to but also actually see the sermons as they were originally presented. I scrolled down and tried to decide which one to listen to first. My eyes settled on the A Perceptive Request - Mark 10:46-52 sermon. Please see http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.


The sermon, A Perceptive Request, was delivered by Rev. Dr. James Wilson. This very thoughtful, contemplative, unassuming pastor always delves deep into scripture and uses related subject matter found in the news, literature and other resources to highlight some of the key points of his sermon. Consequently, I was prepared to listen to a message that would be a blessing. However, I believe that this sermon goes far beyond being a blessing to those who are able to listen to it. This pastor effectively shared a personal experience in a manner that can deeply touch your soul and aid you in your Bible lesson plans about Bartimaeus.

I encourage you, now, to take a block of time to hear this sermon. Please see Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church - Sermon A Perceptive Request to access the audio and video links. After you have experienced the message, please return back to this blog to access the lesson plans.

As I was listening to Dr Wilson speak, I found myself wondering about how many listeners could, in some way, identify with Bartimaeus. Many of us may have had something happen throughout the course of our life to make us feel unworthy. Like Dr. Wilson, we may have buried the experience, and it isn't until later in life, we discover how profoundly that past event has impacted us. As Dr. Wilson pointed out, Jesus can both understand and release us from our pain. For example, in Mark 10, we see that Jesus engages both James and John and later Bartimaeus in conversation and poses the same question twice. The responses to Jesus' question are vastly different. In fact, James and John's comments cleary demonstrate that they still didn't understand Christ's purpose for coming to earth.
Please see http://www.biblegateway.com

Mark 10:35 - 37.

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”


In Mark 10:51 http://www.biblegateway.com, we see the same question addressed to Bartimaeus.

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

Unlike John and James, Bartimaeus, understood who Jesus was and why he was placed on earth.

The magnitude of Bartimaeus' healing is a concept that may be misunderstood by children and teens. It’s important for children to realize that Bartimaeus lived in a society that labeled the blind as being "unworthy" and "useless". Bartimaeus' faith in Christ, his determination to shed this label, and willingness to reach out and allow Jesus to heal him, are pivotal points that need to be underscored.

Bartimaeus saw something others couldn’t comprehend. He saw that Jesus was placed on earth to show what service was about. Because Bartimaeus understood the concept of serving others, he wanted to be healed and was eager to follow Jesus.

Children and teens can greatly benefit from object, hands on and other lessons about this passage in scripture. The lessons and lesson planning ideas below can serve to help children see the relationship of faith and healing to the desire to serve.


Blind Bartimaeus - PreK - Kindergarten
Absolutely awesome set of crafts, object lessons, and more.


Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Elementary Grades (Integrated Activities and Printables)

Bartimaeus - Act It Out! These lessons are designed for the lower early elementary grades, but they can be adapted to accommodate other grade levels, as well.

Jesus Heals the Blind Man - These PreK/3s lesson plans and activities can be used in either large or small group settings.

Prayer Lessons from Blind Bartimaeus
These lessons can be adapted for grades 5 - adult.

May God richly bless you for your faithfulness. :-)

Preparing Ourselves and Others for the Harvest Season

Fall is almost upon us. The slight chill in the air and falling leaves remind us that harvest time, is only weeks rather than months away. This morning I perused through the Biblical topic guide, Where to Find It in the Bible, by Ken Anderson, as I wanted to research the references for the word harvest in the Bible. My eyes fell upon the Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-23.

Take a moment to visit http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.

As I read through the passage, I found myself becoming very introspective. I knew as I read, that I wanted to be among the seeds that fell on good soil. I found myself questioning if I was sufficiently growing as a Christian. Only God knows the answer to this question, however, I have a responsibility to repeatedly check to make certain that I am walking closely with God.

Matthew 13:8-9
“8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." See http://www.biblegateway.com
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I know that my desire, as a Christian is to continue to grow and spread the good news to others. However, sometimes we experience prolonged seasons of difficulties. Financial concerns, health issues and/or other major problems can interfere with our passion to serve our Lord. These matters tend to draw us away from centering our lives around Jesus.

I have been on a ten year journey with a loved one whose health has steadily declined. Watching my mother struggle with pain and seeing her enter hospice twice in the past five years has taught me much about myself and my relationship with Jesus. On several occasions, I have also been allowed to see her trust in action, as she has turned to our Savior for comfort. In fact, right now, she is again, out of hospice. Sometimes, though, fatigue sets in, and I find myself struggling to do everything that needs to be done. It’s at these times that I realize that I must stop, take a step back, and refocus on my Savior.

Think back to when you first became a Christian. Do you remember the enthusiasm you felt that day? Unfortunately, some Christians turn away, when faced with personal disappointment and heartache. Because their faith and trust in God never really took root, they gradually stopped going to church and reading the Word. They soon forget about serving Jesus. Please see the quote below.

“Matthew 13:5 -6 "It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” http://www.biblegateway.com

It’s a struggle to keep Jesus first and foremost in our lives. Yet, we know that we need to do this. We can share the joy that we have found in Jesus with the children we encounter at home, school and/or church.

Below, are some harvest based creative lessons, designed for PreK - Grade 8.
May these lessons be a blessing to those you teach. In turn, may God bless you richly for your faithfulness.


Awesome Collection of Harvest Time Lessons


Annie’s Thanksgiving Page


Holiday and Special Day Links - Resources for Christian Teachers


Reaping and Sowing - The Law of Harvest - Elementary and Middle School Level

Easter Lesson Planning

Since April 4th is fast approaching, I thought I would devote this entry to some Easter ideas you may want to use in your school and home classrooms.

First, please revisit to blog entries from my blog:

The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly - Our New Life in Christ

and

Object Lessons in Faith
Scroll down until you see the Easter Object Lesson link.

Resurrection Easter Eggs

Easter Devotion

Creative Bible Study

Bible Verses about Easer

Easter Parade Ideas for Children

How to Make an Easter Basket Craft