Imagine you are totally lost on a road trip. Maybe your trusty smartphone has let you down or you’re more old school and relying on potentially outdated paper maps. In your scrambling and searching to find your way, you finally find someone who tells you that there is only one correct road you can take to get to your destination and then points you in the right direction. In our lives, we can be helpless and lost, headed in the wrong direction. We’re not sure where to go or what to do but God, in His kindness, graciously helps us when we are searching for His Truth. As we look for wisdom in whatever situation we’re in, God is faithful to reveal the most important piece of wisdom of all – that Jesus is the only way! Seeking wisdom leads us to trust in Jesus!
WISDOM: An Understanding of God's Truth That Guides My Actions
MEMORY VERSE: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." JAMES 3:17 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: Seeking Wisdom Leads Us to Trust in Jesus
John 9 tells the story of Jesus healing a man born blind. When the man was brought before the Pharisees to be questioned about his healing, he shared his story of how Jesus put mud on his eyes, and that after he washed it off, he could see. The Pharisees became outraged and divided on who they thought Jesus really was. They called in the man’s parents for questioning but his parents feared the Pharisees more than they feared God, so they quickly pointed them back to their son. During the second round of questioning, the son exclaimed, “I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” (John 9:25 NLT). The man was thrown out of the synagogue, but Jesus found him again. Jesus, who had already physically opened his eyes, opened the man’s eyes spiritually, allowing him to see that Jesus is the Son of Man. The man believed in and worshiped Jesus! May we do likewise!
Family Questions:
READ JOHN 9
- Who did Jesus find along the road? (A blind man) What did Jesus do for the man? (He healed his blindness.) What had the man done to deserve this kindness? (Nothing, he was helpless. Jesus found him and healed him. Really, all of us are helpless until Jesus finds us.) Why had all this happened? (So Jesus could show the power of God.)
- Did the Pharisees have knowledge? (Yes – They knew a lot of facts.) Did they have godly wisdom? (No – They knew ABOUT God but they didn’t let God or His Word guide their actions.) Do you think the Pharisees were searching for wisdom? (No, they thought they were wise by themselves and didn’t think they needed God’s help.)
- What question did Jesus ask the man when He found him again? (Do you believe in the Son of Man?) Who is the “Son of Man?” (In the Old Testament, this title was used to describe the Messiah, Savior, the one from God – Jesus called Himself the “Son of Man” often)
- Using just his knowledge, did the man have a complete view of who Jesus really was? (No. He just knew what Jesus had done for him and that the Pharisees’ knowledge couldn’t explain it.) How did the man respond when he finally had the right view of who Jesus was? (He believed and worshipped Jesus!)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Review the story of the man born blind in John 9. Talk about how all of us are like the blind man. We are all born spiritually blind and we can’t do anything to heal ourselves. We are helpless but Jesus can heal us! He can help us see Him for who He really is. As a family, talk about when you view wisdom more like a Pharisee (believing you have the wisdom to make it on your own) or more like the blind man (knowing you need help/sight). What difference could seeking Godly wisdom make in your life this week?
Friend: Drive Time
Make up hand motions to help you memorize this month’s memory verse (James 3:17 NLT). Once you have it down, try to sing the memory verse to the tune of whatever song comes on the radio next. Keep playing until you find a song that fits!
Counselor: Bedtime
As you get in bed, talk about how you have sought wisdom from God this week. Where do you wish you had asked God for wisdom instead of relying on your own knowledge? Thank God that all wisdom comes from Him. Ask God for wisdom tonight!
Coach: Anytime
Check out the Significant Summer Calendar and Activity Book for this week’s National Hot Fudge Sundae Day (July 25th) challenge! See who in your family can come up with the most creative challenge or activity for National Drive-Thru Day (July 24th), National Chili Dog Day (July 27th) and do that activity as a family!
Prayer
Thank God for healing you from spiritual blindness when you were a helpless blind beggar and revealing Himself to you. Ask Him to be the source of all the wisdom you need when tempted to rely on yourself.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will finish the month of July with a Timeline Weekend! We will learn and review four parts of our Bible Timeline: Gospels, Church, Missions, and Future.
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