5: Miracles Around the Lake – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: Jesus is the One who can calm a storm, cast out demons, heal a woman, feed with little resources, and walk on water. All this occurred around the Sea of Galilee.
August 3, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Mark 4:35-41.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What happens here and what lessons can we take from it about who Jesus is?
Personal Application: Think about the power of God. How can we learn to lean on this power and to trust it in all things in your life? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I can’t see how any person could have control of the weather or nature. And I can’t understand why anyone would believe in demon possession. People act crazy because they have something wrong in their brains caused by childhood or traumatic experiences they can’t cope with. To say a person is demon-possessed and evil is cruel and ignorant.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Mark 5:21-34.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What characteristics stand out about Jesus here?
Personal Application: Why did Jesus heal by touch or in person by speaking to them, when here He heals her from afar with no outward manifestations? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why would the woman believe she could be healed by touching Jesus’ garment? Is this faith or presumption? What about these faith healers who claim to be able to heal others by touch or by their touching a cloth or item the minister has touched and prayed over?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Mark 6:1-6.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Why did Jesus’ hometown people reject Him?
Personal Application: Have you ever been rejected or experienced some hard-to-understand crisis? What did you learn that could help you next time something like that happens? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why did Jesus allow John the Baptist to be thrown in prison and beheaded? What hope can we find despite the difficult things happening in our lives?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 6:34-52.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What was the problem they faced, and how was it solved?
Personal Application: How could a false understanding of Christ’s second coming lead to disaster for some Christians? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).