ASSEMBLIES OF GOD ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR April 14, 2024

Memory Verse: Acts 10:38 – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him, (KJV).

Lesson Bible Text:

Mark 5:1-43.

Lesson Central Truth:

Jesus Christ is able to heal the mind, body, and soul.

The nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty” has a familiar but tragic ending: “All the King’s horses, and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again.” In the end Humpty is broken and hopeless despite the best efforts by all the king’s men and horses.

Jesus is able to put broken people back together again, no matter how sick or sinful they are. Today’s lesson shows that Jesus has power over evil spirits, sicknesses, and even death.

A. A Demonized Man – Mark 5:1-10

B. A Delivered Man – Mark 5:11-20

A. Ongoing Illness – Mark 5:25-26

B. Desperate Faith – Mark 5:27-34.

A. Desperate Need – Mark 5:21-24

B. Divine Intervention – Mark 5:35-43.

Mark 5:1-20

After the disciples saw Jesus stop the raging windstorm during their trip across the sea of Galilee, they arrived on the other side in the country of the Gardarenes, properly expecting to get some rest after the harrowing trip across the sea. They immediately met a demonized man who was bound by the power of Satan. Bible recorded that the man lived among the tombs, and people tried to bind him with chains, but he just broke them in pieces. He was stronger than everyone else and therefore free to roam around, causing turmoil.

This is a very pathetic picture of one who was totally and helplessly under Satan’s grip. When Jesus was still some distance away, the man ran to meet Jesus and fell down in worship before Him. As helpless as this man is a sinner who can’t help himself from the grip of sin. The demon in operation in this man recognised the mighty power of Jesus Christ.

This man was in the grip of Satan’s power–but there is a greater power; the power of Jesus. As strong and evil as the power of Satan’s grip, Jesus’ power is greater still. “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” They knew exactly who He was! As believers, demons and their agents should always see Jesus Christ in operation in our lives. Our lives must be torment and not prey to their kingdom.

Apparently, the demons were afraid that Jesus would cast them immediately to a place of torment rather than at the appointed time of judgement, so they requested to be sent into the herd of pigs that was nearby. Jesus permitted them to do so. The herd of pigs “ran violently down a steep place,…and were choke in the sea.”

The news of the event spread rapidly, and many people from the town came to see what happened. To their greatest surprise, they found the former demoniac “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. What they saw made them afraid of Jesus, who had proven more powerful than the violent man who had disrupted their lives.

They asked Jesus to leave their city. The message is the delivered and transformed demoniac–what a “great story.” He pleaded with Jesus to go with Him, but Jesus instructed him to go home to see his friends and tell them the wonderful things the Lord had done for him. The man obeyed and went from city to city, letting people know the great change that had taken place in his life. Do you have a testimony of salvation? Are your family members and people around aware of the change in your life?

Beloved, if Jesus has really touched your life, people are going to see it in your home–that is, your family members are going to see the difference that Jesus has made, and is making, in your life. Your husband, wife, and children, those who live with you, know better than anyone else whether your relationship with the Lord is real. Note that before, the delivered man was in the grip of the enemy, held in Satan’s power.

Then he met Jesus, the ultimate power, who set him free from that grip. And after met Jesus, he was changed, and he went and shared in his own home region, “What great things Jesus had done for him.” That’s his story. What is your deliverance story? Tell it to the world.

Mark 5:25-34

As Jesus was on her way to Jarius house, Mark recorded that there was a certain woman who had an issue of blood(haemorrhage) for twelve years. Just imagine what this woman might have passed through for the whole twelve years in her incurable illness in which she had spent all that she had in order to get cured by the physicians, yet her situation grew worse and never get better. What a pity situation. As we can see, the woman had exhausted every avenue and every hope. This woman had tried everything that people could do. She was in a desperate situation. She herself was hopeless to solve this problem or find anyone who could. That is the bad news. But the good news is that God is in the business of helping hopeless and desperate people.

That is exactly what He does when He saves sinners like you and I. Desperate need requires a more desperate action.

desperate need requires a more desperate action. In this woman’s despair, she heard of Jesus and knew that He had healed many people. She believed that He could heal her, and therefore, she left her house and found Jesus in the crowd. Because this woman’s condition was embarrassing and because she was ceremonially unclean and would be condemned for touching Jesus or even being in a pressing crowd, she wanted to do this secretly. She would not openly ask Jesus to be healed, but she thought, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” She had such a high opinion of Jesus’ power that she believed she only needed to touch His garment for healing. When she touched His garment, Jesus wasn’t made unclean; the woman was made whole.

When we come to Jesus with our sin and lay it upon Him, it doesn’t make Him a sinner, but it makes us clean. The woman acted upon her belief by pressing through the crowds to touch Him, and she got healed immediately. Jesus and woman knew something had happened, but Jesus still asked who had touched His clothes. The disciples were amazed that Jesus asked this question. She came forward after Jesus kept looking for the person. The woman fell down before Him and told her story. Jesus responded by saying to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. You have been healed.” Her desperate faith brought her total healing, i.e., physical and spiritual healing.

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

After crossing the Sea of Galilee following the deliverance of the demoniac, a large crowd had gathered to see the miracle worker–Jesus Christ. Jarius, a synagogue ruler, came to Jesus and fell at His feet, begging Him to heal his daughter, who lay near death at home. As ruler of the local synagogue, Jarius was probably a man of considerable importance, but human need has a tendency to equalise people despite their positions in life. Poor and rich alike have problems they can’t solve. Jesus agreed to go with Jarius to minister to his daughter. The crowd stayed with them, milling around Jesus as He walked.

While on the way to Jarius’ house, the healing of the haemorrhaging woman took place (verse 25-34). It is very important to note that rank places no man is beyond the reach of sorrow. Jairus was a :ruler;” yet sickness and trouble came to his house. Jairus probably had wealth and all the medical help that wealth can command; yet money could not keep sickness and death away from his child. The children of rich men are liable to sickness, as well as the children of poor men. Riches or wealth is not the antidote of sorrow

This man saw Jesus as a solution to his daughter’s sickness.

Who you run to in the time of problem will definitely determine the outcome. As a believer, is Jesus the first call of help in times of trouble? Do you really have faith that Jesus is able to touch, heal, and deliver you from your ugly situation?

Jarius was dying in the sick bed, and any delay could mean death. Indeed, Jarius may have been angry with the crowds who were preventing his daughter from being healed. Then suddenly, someone from the house arrived with news that his daughter was dead. Jarius must have been devastated to hear of the death of his child, but Jesus seemed unmoved and resolute, simply encouraging Jairus to “only believe.”

Despite the difficulty Jairus faced, Jesus encouraged him to trust God. With many mourners when they got to Jarius’ house, only His three disciples and the parents of the girl were allowed to enter into the room. Jesus took the dead girl by the hand and restored her to life. Both the parents and disciples were astonished with great astonishment.

The miracles of God are always a wonder to many. With our faith on Him, we can receive His help and see His power at work in any problem we may face as we place our faith in Him. As believers, may we answer those who would ask, “Why troublest thou the Master any further?” By acting on our faith that Christ has power to meet all of our needs. For sure, He can give life even unto the dead.

With God, all things are possible, and nothing is impossible with Him. When all looks like a dead-end, it is just the beginning with God. He can create and recreate mankind from dust. He is able to heal and give life to any dead thing in our lives.

Father, we pray for as many that are in need, let there be healing and life in Jesus Name. Amen!

Remain blessed as you join us in our Sunday school both online and at any Assemblies Of God Church close to you as we study together under the Feet of the Master.

Share your contribution and as well ask your question from the lesson.

Shalom!