BLANK STARES


JESUS THE SAVIOR

Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines


Lesson 8

BLANK STARES

Aim:  That the learners will allow Christ to correct their spiritual blindness.
Scripture: John 9:1-41
Memory Verse: John 8:12 – I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of live. (NIV)

In Advance
1.      Pray
2.      Memorize John 8:12
3.      Study John 9:1-41
Background of the Scripture passage used:
      The story is about the healing of a man born blind.  Jesus performed more miracles of this kind than of any other. Giving sight to the blind was predicted as a Messianic activity (Isaiah 29: 18; 35; 42:7).  Thus these miracles were additional evidence that Jesus was the Messiah.
      The religious leaders who were following Jesus wherever He went became more and more hostile towards Him.  Yet Jesus went on in His public ministry.  On His way, possibly at the vicinity of the temple which beggars frequented, His attention was caught by a  blind  beggar.
      The controversy between Jesus and the religious leaders went on.  Jesus took occasion to prove who He really was for the sake of those who were believing and to confront the unbelievers.
      During those days there was a current belief that saliva was curative, especially for diseased eyes.  Jesus clearly used currently understood means.  However there is no need to assume that He reinforced superstitious beliefs.  Actually, healing took place only when the man washed in the pool of Siloam (v.7).  In other words, he was healed because of His obedience.  We might say that the man’s faith in Jesus was put to test.
4.      Prepare
a)      Two clean large handkerchiefs to be used for the game at the ENTRANCE portion.
b)     Copies of My Spiritual Vision Chart for distribution during the SIGNIFICANCE portion.  There should be one for each learner.


Transition Sentence: Many people have good eyes but actually live like blind men.

SUBSTANCE
A.     Give class about five minutes to silently read John 9:1-34.  Then ask someone to summarize the passage.
B.      Divide the class into three groups to answer one question each.
Questions:
Group 1 – How did the blind man respond to Jesus? (vv.24-30)
Answer:     Whenthe blind man got healed because he obeyed, it was obvious that he was full of appreciation.  He called Jesus a prophet (v. 17).  Later in vv. 36-38, he expressed his full faith in Christ and worshipped Him.  For him, worshipping Christ was a corresponding personal response to a benefit as well as a personal realization of an actual manifestation of Divine power.
Group 2 – What does verse 39 mean?
Answer:     This verse implies that the blind man had received both physical and spiritual sight.  But the Pharisees only possessed natural sight, not spiritual sight.  They thought they already had spiritual sight.  Yet their negative reactions to Jesus the Healer showed they were greatly blinded.
Group 3 – What is the cure for spiritual blindness? (cf. 2Corinthians 3:14)
Answer:         Jesus claimed that He was the “Light of the world” and in verse 39 He said “…I came into this world so that those who do not see may see.”  2Corinthians 3:14 says, “But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.  It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.”  Therefore Jesus is the cure to spiritual blindness.  Receiving Christ in one’s life (by receiving Him as lord and Savior) has the effect of spiritual light invading spiritual darkness.  (The Pharisees were blind spiritually because they rejected Jesus.)  The human principle is “to see is to believe”.  The biblical principle is “to believe (in Christ) first, then you can see” (spiritual insight).
                        Spiritual life can thrive only in Jesus Christ.  He is the light of the world.  The picture here is that of a lighted path wherein people walk behind a bright lamp which dispels the darkness as it proceeds.  Anyone who does not keep behind it will soon lose his way.  In the spiritual sense, it is necessary to follow the light.  The light is the Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who is far from Christ also experiences spiritual blindness.

General Truth: Only Jesus Christ can cure our spiritual blindness.
SIGNIFICANCE
ASK:
1.        When it comes to their spiritual lives, what do most people usually choose not to see?
(Give time for responses, examples and interaction)
2.        How is your spiritual vision?
(chart for distribution)

MY SPIRITUAL VISION               Yes     No       Not Sure
a.      I see my need for a Savior        ___     ___     _______
b.      I see my need to spend time
 with God                                     ___     ___     _______
c.      I see my need to pray                 ___     ___     _______
d.      I see my need to overcome
 my vices and bad habits           ___     ___     _______
e.      I see that I need to testify
about Christ                                 ___     ___     _______
f.       I see my need to be free
from things that enslave me      ___     ___     _______
g.      I see my need to be free to
serve God                                    ___     ___     _______
h.      I see that I have some
specific beliefs and attitudes
 that are wrong                            ___     ___     _______


PERFORMANCE
1.      Check self-evaluation forms.  (All numbers that do not have a YES answer may be a symptom of spiritual blindness and needs correction.)
2.      Have time for silent prayer.  Pray aloud for learners afterwards.
3.      Reminder: Give Jesus a Chance to correct your specific spiritual blindness this week.  He will not only show you the light, but will give you grace and power to follow the light.