Mission to the Needy – Outline

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Mission to the Needy

OVERVIEW

This week, we are learning about helping others, just like Jesus does. We start by talking about how God helps people in need, and sometimes, He uses us to help others. We’re like little helpers spreading love. We hear a cool story about friends who did something amazing to help a person in need, and we learn that helping requires faith, action, and patience. Then, we find out about Christ’s method of helping, with five simple steps, like spending time with others and being kind. We explore how to help refugees and immigrants and why it’s important to be friends with everyone. Jesus helps those who are sad or suffering, teaching us to do the same. We also learn about the biggest love, like when Jesus sacrifices for us, and how we can show love to others. Finally, we talk about reaching out to everyone, just like Jesus does, and being a blessing to others. It’s like being superheroes of kindness!

SATURDAY – Introduction

Memory Text

Matthew 25:40

KJV 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

CEV 40 The king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”

A T K S A A S U T
V I S U Y
I A Y H D I
U O O T L O T M B
Y H D I U M

Lesson

Let’s talk about helping others, just like Jesus did. In the Bible, we see how God helps people in need – Luke 5:17-26

KJV 17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. 25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.

CEV (Matthew 9. 1-8; Mark 2. 1-12) 17 One day some Pharisees and experts in the Law of Moses sat listening to Jesus teach. They had come from every village in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. God had given Jesus the power to heal the sick, 18 and some people came carrying a man on a mat because he could not walk. They tried to take him inside the house and put him in front of Jesus. 19 But because of the crowd, they could not get him to Jesus. So they went up on the roof, where they removed some tiles and let the mat down in the middle of the room. 20 When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, “My friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the experts began arguing, “Jesus must think he is God! Only God can forgive sins.” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he said, “Why are you thinking this? 23 Is it easier for me to tell this man that his sins are forgiven or to tell him to get up and walk? 24 But now you will see that the Son of Man has the right to forgive sins here on earth.” Jesus then said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk home.” 25 At once the man stood up in front of everyone. He picked up his mat and went home, giving thanks to God. 26 Everyone was amazed and praised God. What they saw surprised them, and they said, “We have seen a great miracle today!”

..Sometimes, God uses others to help us, or He uses us to help others. By helping those in need, we are showing love, just like Jesus did.

The Bible encourages us to be friends with strangers and help them find Jesus. In this lesson, called “Mission to the Needy,” we learn that God has a plan to help all kinds of people, no matter what they need. It could be physical, emotional, financial, or social help. We are supposed to be ready to help anyone, just like Jesus did.

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White talks about how Jesus taught us to make others happy by being kind and loving. She says that God wants us to help those in need and be like Jesus in caring for others. Doing good things for people makes God happy.

Conclusion

Helping others, as Jesus did, is an act of love that brings happiness. God desires us to be ready to assist those in need, embodying the teachings of Christ in our caring actions.

Reflection

Can you think of a time when someone helped you or a friend when it was needed? How did it make you feel?

How can you be a good friend to someone who might need help?

SUNDAY – The Faith of Friends

Lesson

In Luke 5:17-26, some friends did something amazing for a person in need. They wanted to bring their friend to Jesus, but there were obstacles. They didn’t give up; instead, they found a creative way to get their friend to Jesus by lowering him through the roof!

This story teaches us that helping others, especially those in need, requires faith, action, patience, and sometimes doing things in a different way. Jesus wants us to bring our friends to Him for help, just like these friends did. We can be Jesus’ helpers by being friends, understanding needs, and leading people to Him.

Think about someone around you who needs help. What can you do for them?

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White tells a story about how Jesus helped a sick man, showing that God cares about everyone, no matter who they are. She encourages us to have faith, be kind, and help others like Jesus did.

Conclusion

The story of friends going to great lengths to bring someone to Jesus teaches us the importance of faith, creativity, and persistence in helping those in need. It encourages us to be Jesus’ helpers by understanding needs and leading people to Him.

Reflection

Can you think of a friend you can help this week? What could you do for them?

How can you be a good friend even when things get a little tricky?

MONDAY – Christ’s Method Alone

Lesson

Let’s learn from stories in the Bible about how Jesus helped those in need.

• John 5:1-9

  KJV 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

  CEV 1 Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for another Jewish festival. 2 In the city near the sheep gate was a pool with five porches, and its name in Hebrew was Bethzatha. 3-4 Many sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed people were lying close to the pool. 5 Beside the pool was a man who had been sick for 38 years. 6 When Jesus saw the man and realized that he had been crippled for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The man answered, “Sir, I don't have anyone to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up. I try to get in, but someone else always gets there first.” 8 Jesus told him, “Pick up your mat and walk!” 9 Right then the man was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking around. The day on which this happened was a Sabbath.

  
  
• Mark 1:23-28

  KJV 23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

  CEV 23 Suddenly a man with an evil spirit in him entered the synagogue and yelled, 24 “Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are God's Holy One.” 25 Jesus told the evil spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” 26 The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left. 27 Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” 28 News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.

Ellen G. White gives us five steps to follow Jesus’ way of helping others. First, we need to spend time with them, understand their needs, and do good for them. Second, show sympathy without expecting anything in return. Third, take action to help, not just with words. Fourth, win their trust. Finally, lead them to Jesus.

We may not do miracles like Jesus, but we can still help others. How can you help someone in need?

Ellen White Commentary

This part talks about how Jesus healed a sick man and how we should trust in Jesus. It emphasizes that Jesus is always with us and wants us to be healthy, both physically and spiritually.

Conclusion

Learning from Jesus’ method, we are called to spend time with, understand, and actively help others. Ellen White’s five steps guide us in following Jesus’ way of genuine care and compassion.

Reflection

Think of someone you know who might need help. How can you follow these steps to help them?

Can you remember a time when someone helped you and made you feel better? How did it make you want to help others?

TUESDAY – Refugees and Immigrants

Lesson

The Bible talks about Jesus’ family being refugees in Egypt. Today, many people are refugees or immigrants, seeking a better life. It can be hard to help them because they might be different from us. However, the Bible tells us to reach out to those in need, no matter where they come from.

Read the following passages:

• Deuteronomy 10:19

  KJV 19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

  CEV 19 And you should also care for them, because you were foreigners in Egypt.

  
  
• Psalm 146:9

  KJV 9 The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

  CEV 9 and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked.

  
  
• Romans 12:13

  KJV 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  CEV 13 Take care of God's needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

  
  
• Leviticus 23:22

  KJV 22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the Lord your God.

  CEV 22 When you harvest your grain, always leave some of it standing around the edges of your fields and don't pick up what falls on the ground. Leave it for the poor and for those foreigners who live among you. I am the Lord your God!

What do these verses tell us about helping others?

Pray for immigrants and refugees. You can find organizations that help them. Even if it’s a small thing, how can you help someone who has come to a new place for a better life?

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White talks about helping people who are in need, like refugees and immigrants. She says it’s not just about giving money but also personally helping others. She emphasizes that we should treat everyone with love and care, just like Jesus would.

Conclusion

The Bible encourages reaching out to refugees and immigrants, emphasizing the importance of helping those seeking a better life. It challenges us to reflect on our attitudes and actions towards those who may be different from us.

Reflection

Why do you think it’s important to help people who are new or different from us?

Can you think of a small way to make someone new feel welcome and happy?

WEDNESDAY – To Help the Hurting

Lesson

Our world is full of people who are hurting, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Jesus came to help the broken-hearted, captives, and the oppressed.

Read Luke 4:18

KJV 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

CEV 18 “The Lord's Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers,

What does this tell us about what Jesus did?

We help others not just to make them follow Jesus but because they need help. Understand their needs, show love, and help them because you follow Jesus. What can you do to help someone in need?

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White highlights that God wants us to be kind and considerate, especially to those who are suffering. She says that we need to show love by helping those who are less fortunate, and it makes God happy when we do so.

Conclusion

Jesus came to help the hurting, and we are called to follow His example. Ellen White emphasizes the importance of kindness, consideration, and actively helping those who are suffering.

Reflection

Can you think of someone you know who might be feeling sad or having a tough time? How can you show them love and help?

How do you feel when someone is kind and helps you when you’re feeling down?

THURSDAY – Greater Love

Lesson

There are always opportunities to help others. Jesus showed the greatest love by laying down His life for us.

Read John 15:13

KJV 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

CEV 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.

How can we apply this in helping others?

Think about making a new friend this week, someone different from you. Pray and ask God for help. The goal is to be their friend and help them know Jesus.

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White talks about how Jesus showed great love by sacrificing for others. She says we should love others as Jesus loved us, and our love should be wide-reaching, not limited. It emphasizes that love is an essential part of being a follower of Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus’ ultimate act of love was laying down His life for us. We are called to emulate this love by helping others, stepping out of our comfort zones to befriend those different from us.

Reflection

How can you show love to someone this week, just like Jesus did?

Can you think of a way to be a good friend to someone who might not have many friends?

FRIDAY – Further Thought

Lesson

Jesus reached out to everyone, and we are called to do the same. Jesus’ death was for everyone, no matter who they are.

Read 1 John 2:2

KJV 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

CEV 2 Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world's people.

What does this verse teach us about helping others?

Being a blessing to those outside our comfort zone is what Jesus wants. How can you step outside your comfort zone to help someone this week?

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to step outside our comfort zone to help others?

Reveal Suggested Answer

2. What can we learn from the times when people called Jesus a friend of sinners?

Reveal Suggested Answer

3. How can Christians engage in the celebrations of nonbelievers without compromising their beliefs?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Conclusion

Jesus reached out to everyone, emphasizing that His sacrifice was for all. We are encouraged to extend our helping hands beyond our comfort zones, being blessings to others as Jesus intended.

Reflection

Why do you think it’s good to help people who might be different from us?

Can you think of a way to help someone that might be a little outside of what you usually do?

INSIDE STORY

Mission Path to Spain: Part 2
By Andrew McChesney

In Venezuela, a group of Adventist pastoral families faced a scary situation when gunmen attacked their houses. The attackers made them go into one house, separating men, women, and children. The police came, and after a tense ten hours, the gunmen left. The families, including Luis Paiva’s, had to move to new places after this. Luis, a pastor for about ten years, had a tough life in Venezuela, struggling with money and food scarcity. His family wasn’t home during the attack, but it deeply affected his wife, making her not want to live there anymore.

Luis also had a big financial problem. For three years, he had been trying to pay off a loan, but it kept growing, reaching $1,000. His breaking point was the attack, and his wife wanted to leave Venezuela. However, Luis felt uneasy about leaving the unpaid debt.

So, Luis prayed for a sign from God. He didn’t usually ask for signs, but he didn’t know what else to do. He said, “Lord, if You work a miracle and help me pay this debt, that will be the sign for me to leave Venezuela.”

During the attack, the gunmen stole things from all the houses, including Luis’. Though robberies were common, Luis hadn’t filed any insurance claims before. Church leaders promised compensation for thefts in the past year if Luis got a stamped police report for the recent theft.

Other pastors couldn’t get the police report, but Luis had friends in the police force who helped him. Two months later, the insurance company gave him $1,000, exactly what he needed to pay off the debt.

Luis didn’t use the money for himself. Instead, he believed God sent it so he could pay off the debt and leave the country. Now, Luis is a missionary in Spain. This story shows how difficult life can be for missionaries and how important the Sabbath School mission offerings are in helping them.

LESSON SUMMARY

Mission to the Needy

Throughout this week’s lessons, we delve into the profound teachings of helping others, drawing inspiration from the compassionate acts of Jesus. The introductory lesson, “Mission to the Needy,” sets the stage, emphasizing God’s diverse plan to aid people in need. From the creative faith of friends lowering a person through a roof to Jesus in “The Faith of Friends,” we learn that helping others demands action, patience, and inventive solutions. “Christ’s Method Alone” teaches us practical steps, emphasizing spending time, showing sympathy, and leading others to Jesus. The lessons on refugees and immigrants highlight the biblical call to assist those different from us. “To Help the Hurting” stresses genuine care for the broken-hearted, captives, and the oppressed. “Greater Love” challenges us to emulate Jesus’ sacrificial love in helping others, making wide-reaching connections. Finally, “Further Thought” calls for universal outreach, stepping beyond comfort zones, mirroring Jesus’ inclusive love and sacrifice for everyone. This week compels reflection on our role in being blessings to others, aligning with the profound teachings of Christ.

SATURDAY – Introduction This week, we explore the importance of helping others, following Jesus’ example. The Bible teaches that God helps those in need, sometimes using people as instruments of His help. This lesson, “Mission to the Needy,” emphasizes God’s plan to aid various people in different ways—physically, emotionally, financially, or socially. We are encouraged to be ready to help anyone, just as Jesus did. Ellen White reinforces the idea that acts of kindness make God happy.

SUNDAY – The Faith of Friends Examining Luke 5:17-26, we learn about friends who creatively helped a person in need by bringing them to Jesus. This story emphasizes that assisting others, especially those in need, requires faith, action, patience, and thinking outside the box. Jesus wants us to be His helpers by being compassionate friends, understanding needs, and guiding people to Him.

MONDAY – Christ’s Method Alone Through stories in the Bible, we learn about Jesus’ method of helping others. Ellen G. White provides five steps to follow: spending time with them, understanding their needs, doing good, showing sympathy without expecting anything in return, taking action, winning trust, and leading them to Jesus. While we may not perform miracles like Jesus, we are encouraged to find practical ways to help others.

TUESDAY – Refugees and Immigrants The Bible highlights Jesus’ family as refugees, connecting with the challenges faced by refugees and immigrants today. Despite differences, the lesson emphasizes reaching out to those in need, guided by various passages. Ellen White emphasizes personal involvement and treating everyone with love and care.

WEDNESDAY – To Help the Hurting Focusing on Jesus helping the broken-hearted, captives, and the oppressed, we learn that our assistance should not merely aim to make others follow Jesus but to genuinely address their needs. Ellen White underlines the importance of kindness, consideration, and showing love to those who are suffering.

THURSDAY – Greater Love Exploring Jesus’ greatest act of love by sacrificing His life, we are encouraged to apply this love in helping others. The lesson prompts us to make new friends, extending love beyond familiar circles. Ellen White stresses the wide-reaching and limitless nature of our love, akin to Jesus’ love for us.

FRIDAY – Further Thought The conclusion highlights Jesus’ inclusive outreach and sacrifice for everyone, emphasizing our call to do the same. Reading 1 John 2:2, we learn about Jesus’ universal impact. The reflection encourages stepping outside our comfort zones to help someone, aligning with Jesus’ desire for us to be blessings to all.