TOPIC: SHOWING GOD’S LOVE CHILDREN’S SUNDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2023

SUNDAY, 19TH FEBRUARY, 2023.

BIBLE TEXT: Luke 7:11-17

MEMORY VERSE:

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. Titus 2:7 (NIV).

TARGET:

To help the child learn how Jesus showed His love by word and deed.

OBJECTIVES:

During and after the lesson, each child will show that he or she understands the lesson by:

1. Correctly answering the questions that come at the end of the lesson.

2. Taking part in dramatising the story of the lesson.

OUTLINE:

1. Meeting the Widow of Nain – Luke 7:11-13

2. Bringing the Widow’s Son Back to Life – Luke 7:14-15

3. Praising and Glorifying God-Luke 7:16-17

Just telling someone in need that he or she is loved is good but is not all that is required. Supposing there is someone today who needs one kind of help or the other from you, what will you do? Will you just tell him or her that you love him or her and go away? Will that be enough? No! So, what will you do to show that you really love him or her? You will help him or her, somehow, depending on what his or her need is. That is how to demonstrate love.

In our lesson today, Jesus met a woman in need. She did not ask for aid or prayed to be helped. She did not even show faith. Jesus’ love motivated Him to step forward and help the needy woman by comforting word and miraculous deed. He didn’t just put His love into words, telling her not to weep, and then go away. He did something concrete. He acted, as we shall soon see. Showing love by word and deed is what God wants His children to always do.

1. MEETING THE WIDOW OF NAIN – Luke 7:11-13

One day, Jesus decided to go to a city called Nain. He was walking with a crowd of people and teaching them about God’s love. They were walking along a narrow road and began to climb a rocky hill. Suddenly in front of them came along line of people. It was some men that were carrying a stretcher. On it lay the dead body of a young man. And the men were taking the dead body to be buried. Beside the carriers, walked the dead man’s sad mother. She was shaking with sobs. She was a widow her husband had already died. And now her only child had died too. She felt all alone and so sad, she didn’t know what to do. Jesus had compassion on the widow.

All her friends and neighbours followed behind. They were wailing loudly. Tears ran down the faces of many people Jesus and the people walking with Him stepped aside to let the funeral procession pass. But Jesus did more than that. He spoke to the woman and told her not to cry.

2. BRINGING THE WIDOW’S SON BACK TO LIFE – verse 14-15

After comforting the woman with His words, Jesus went closer to where the young man lay. He touched the stretcher and those who were carrying it stopped and stood still. Jesus looked at the cloth that covered the young man’s body. Then Jesus spoke to the dead young man and said. “Young man, I say to you get up”. Nobody expected this, so all the people gasped in surprise. Some even whispered together and wondered at that kind of command to give to a dead man. While everybody was watching, the young man slowly opened his eyes. Then he raised his head and sat up. Sitting there on the stretcher, he looked around and saw his mother. “What is happening? he asked. “What am I doing here?” He added. The whole atmosphere was charged as Jesus took the young man by hand and handed him over to his mother. “Here is your son” He said. “Take him home”. The woman could neither believe her eyes nor contain her joy.

3. PRAISING AND GLORIFYING GOD – verse 16-17

Trembling and afraid the men carrying the stretcher lowered it to the ground. They looked at Jesus and wondered who He was. When everybody there realised that what had happened was real, they began to praise and glorify God. They said that a great prophet had risen among them and that they had seen God work before their very eyes.

The woman and her son hurried back to their village with their friends. They were anxious to tell others what Jesus had done for them.

The disciples also talked among themselves. Everybody talked about what Jesus had done sa much that the report went throughout Judea and the surrounding region.

Jesus knows what it is like to feel alone even when we are in the midst of people. He understands our grief and need. He understands every problem we have as children and even as adults. When we have problems in the school, in the family, with our health, and in other areas, we should cry out to God to help us. It was the widow’s cry and those of the other people that drew the attention of Jesus to her problem.

God expects us to show the love of God by helping people. But when we are helpless to give comfort and assistance, we can direct a needy person to Jesus pray, knowing that His compassionate love can sustain.

In showing love, speaking words of love Is one thing, but love action must follow through or the words will mean little or nothing.

We should be grateful and thankful when the Lord does something for us. When we testify to His goodness, others will join us to glorify God for His wonderful works.

1. Why was the woman of Nain especially sad?

(A) She owed debt

(B) Her husband was dead and now her only son had died.

(C) She lost her money

(D) Her son travelled.

2. What does God want His children to always do?

(A) To fight

(B) To lie

(C) To lose hope on Him

(D) To show love byword and deed.

3. How did Jesus demonstrate His love for the woman?

(A) He gave her money

(B) He first of all spoke words of comfort to her and then raised her son from the dead

(C) He promised to raise her son from the dead some other time but not at the moment

(D)He gave her food to eat

4. What did the people around the widow do and say when they realised what had happened?

(A) All of the above

(B) They began to praise and glorify God

(C) They said that a great prophet had risen among them and

(D) That they had seen God work before their very eyes.

Monday: Goodness and Love Will Follow Me – Psalm 23:6

Tuesday: The Lord Is Good – Psalm 136:1-3

Wednesday Don’t Cry,’ Jesus Said – Luke 7:11-13

Thursday: Jesus Raises a Dead Young Man – Luke 7:14, 15

Friday: God’s Love Is Greater Than All Others – John15:13

Saturday: God Is Love: 1 John 4:16