The Young Boy

"'If you can'?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes."  Mark 9:23

Scripture:  Mark 9:14-29

Like many college students, I was required to take a speaking class as part of my major's curriculum.  We discussed all aspects of delivering the perfect presentation and spent much time focusing on the structure and organization of the message being delivered.  One guideline especially stuck out to me - if you want something to be remembered, repeat it three times.

Since receiving this piece of advice, I have noticed this type of pattern in many books, articles, and lectures.  Repition was created to help us take notice, and Jesus uses this tool very effectively.  Any time a situation or phrase is used more than once in the Bible, it is almost as if He is telling us, "Hey, dummy.  Pay attention!"  Yesterday's lesson featured an example of possession and the awe inspiring power of Jesus.  Today, we see a similar story featuring a young boy whose body was no longer his own.

The boy's father was so distraught by the pain his son was experiencing that he rushed to Jesus the minute he arrived in town.  He fought his way through the large crowd and was able to get the "teacher's" attention.  I find it very interesting that he refers to Jesus as teacher rather than Lord.  He is encountering the living incarnation of God and is still uncertain if Jesus really is who he claims to be.

The man proceeds to beg for Jesus to heal his son because nothing else has worked.  Not even the other disciples were able to release the boy from bondage.  The demons were so powerful that they were not only effecting the boy, but were also causing his father to doubt the power of God.  In response, Jesus calmly casts the demon out and then gives two important reminders.  Number one:  anything is possible for those who truly believe.  Number two:  certain things can only be accomplished through prayer.

Does this mean that if we have positive thoughts and pray our hardest all will be right with the world?  In some cases, yes.  In other cases, no.  Jesus did not say that believers would get everything they wanted.  Instead, He said the solution to life's problems could be possible.  Any of our wildest thoughts could come true if they fit within God's plan.  This encounter made the young boy and his family realized that nothing is outside of His power.

Adult Reflections:

• The boy's father wanted to believe but was held back by his doubt.  Do you find yourself doubting parts of scripture or the reality of God's power?
• What makes you have these doubts?
• Write down one of your doubts.  Take time each day to pray over this doubt and ask for it to be released from your life.

Teenage Reflections:

• Talk about what it means to doubt someone or something.  Ask your child to think of a time when someone said or did something that made them doubt the power of God.
• Why can't we always get what we want?  Why do you think that God prevents and allows certain things from happening in our lives?
• If appropriate, have your child complete step three above.

Elementary Reflections:

• As I mentioned yesterday, passages that discuss evil and demons may be overwhelming for children in this age group.  You may have to change some of the wording as appropriate.
• Use this opportunity to talk about prayer.  Is there something specific that your child would like to see happen?
• Try to develop a plan for praying for this specific thing over the course of this month.
• How does it feel when we are told that we can't have something we want?  Remind your child that disappointment is a part of growing up.  Usually, it means that there is something better around the corner.
• God hears all of our prayers, but He may not grant all of our wishes.

Preschool Reflections:

• Again, you may need to modify the wording of some of this passage as to not frighten your child.
• Talk about how the boy's father cared for him so much that he did everything he could to make sure he would not get hurt or be sick anymore.
• Ask your child to expalin how they take care of something that is special to them (maybe a special toy or stuffed animal).  Remind them that God takes care of us even better than we can take care of our special things.
• Practice praying to God for protection.  For example, "Dear God, please keep me safe while I ride in the car to preschool."

The Hermit

"Jesus did not let him, but said, 'Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.'"  Mark 5:19

Scripture:  Mark 5:1-20


Demon possession.  Sounds like a fun discussion, huh?  (I hope you note my sarcasm!)  Our passage today is not the easiest for us to understand or even fathom.  Most of us could probably say that the closest thing we have seen to demon possession has been splashed across the big screen in movies such as The Exorcist.  Many of us have not even experienced a feeling of being in the presence of true evil.  Given the previous two statements, let's instead start with something we probably have experienced - the feeling of rejection.


The unnamed man we read of today had been forced into a life of seclusion.  His strange and even terrifying behavior made him an outcast, a hermit.  I can only imagine how people must have felt to observe his behavior.  Did they have a strange fascination?  Were they mortified?  Did they whisper about him?  Did they give up on him?


The Hermit definitely had a strong and evil presence within him that was begging to be released.  It was only when this legion of demons encountered the Living God - Jesus - did they realize there was hope.  Jesus' power was so great that it was felt "from a distance."  When Jesus cast the demons out of the Hermit and relieved his suffering, the reaction of the masses is quite interesting.  Instead of rejoicing and praising the fact that the Hermit was healed, they shunned Jesus and ran him out of town.  The could not grasp what they had just witnessed an were to proud to admit that maybe there was a little of this evil inside of themselves.


Now what became of the Hermit?  Encountering the Christ altered his life in such a dramatic fashion that he begged to follow Jesus on His travels.  But, Jesus had another plan.  He asked the Hermit to stay put, to share what he had felt and learned with others.  The Hermit heeded these words and traveled to Decapolis; this was an area of ten cities clustered around the Sea of Galilee.  They were amazed at the Hermit's account and accepted him into their society.  Despite being rejected for much of his life, he was able to find comfort and purpose through the love of Jesus Christ.


Adult Reflections:

• Have you ever felt rejection?  How did you handle these types of situations?  Do you turn to Christ or to other things for comfort?
• If you turn to other things, how does this impact your life?  Are you spending money, relying on alcohol, taking your rejection out on others, etc.?
• Are there "demons" in your life that need to be released?
• What are you doing to help or hinder this process?

Teenage Reflections:

• Discuss the first question under the adult section with your children.  If possible, give them an example of when you have turned to Christ in the face of rejection.
• Has God ever done something great in your life?  Have you been as willing as the Hermit to share this experience with others?
• Do you ever make others feel like an outcast?  How can you work towards correcting this behavior?

Elementary Reflections:

• This passage could be scary and hard to explain to certain children of this age.  Feel free to rephrase as appropriate.
• Focus on the feeling of rejection.  Have you every been teased or bullied?  How did this make you feel?
• Discuss how they think Jesus views people versus the way the we sometimes view people.  How can we view others more like Jesus?

Preschool Reflections:

• See the first point under elementary reflections.
• Talk about how the Hermit was sad.  Jesus made him feel better by being kind and nice.
• Have your preschool think of something nice they can do for someone else in the family (even a pet or stuffed animal).  Help them carry out their "plan."