April 17
Lesson 7
Recovered Faith
Devotional Reading: Philippians 2:1–11
Background Scripture: Luke 8:26–39
Luke 8:26–36
26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31 And they sought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
32 And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they sought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
Photo: Bruce Parrott/iStock/Thinkstock
Key Verse
They went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind.
—Luke 8:35
The Gift of Faith
Unit 2: Restorative Faith
Lessons 5–8
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Outline the sequence of events concerning Jesus’ interaction with the Gadarene demoniac.
2. Explain how the text contributes to his or her larger understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission.
3. Write a prayer thanking God for the figurative demons that He has driven from his or her life.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. So, Where’s My Joy?
B. Lesson Background
I. Conquering a Legion (Luke 8:26–33)
A. Trip by Boat (v. 26)
B. Encounter While Ashore (v. 27)
C. Reaction by Demoniac (vv. 28, 29)
D. Superiority of Jesus (vv. 30–33)
Remember Who Wins
II. Restoring a Life (Luke 8:34–36)
A. Reactions by the Herdsmen (v. 34)
B. Fear of the Situation (vv. 35, 36)
Atheist Bumper Stickers
Conclusion
A. On the Other Side of the Tunnel
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
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demoniac
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duh-moe-nee-ak.
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Gadara
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Gad-uh-ruh.
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Gadarenes
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Gad-uh-reens.
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Galilee
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Gal-uh-lee.
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Gergesa
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Gur-guh-suh.
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Gergesenes
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Gur-guh-seenz.
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Girgashites
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Gur-guh-shites.
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Nabatean
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Nab-uh-tee-un.
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What Do You Think?
What are some ways your church can take Christ to marginalized people in your community?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding the physically infirm
■ Regarding the mentally infirm
■ Regarding the culturally different
■ Regarding the poor
■ Other
What Do You Think?
What should we do when we witness or experience resistance to the gospel?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ When the resistance involves anger
■ When the resistance involves avoidance
■ When the resistance is based on misunderstanding
■ Other
What Do You Think?
How do you draw strength from the fact that Jesus is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4)?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ When facing challenges at work or school
■ When facing family challenges
■ When facing temptation
■ Considering Ephesians 6:12
■ Other
What Do You Think?
When was a time you saw God’s power at work in a way you did not expect? How do you apply that lesson?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ God’s work in the life of an unbeliever
■ God’s work in the life of a Christian
What Do You Think?
Under what circumstances should we investigate personally reports of what God is claimed to be doing somewhere? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding reports involving claims of miracles
■ Regarding reports not involving claims of miracles
■ Considering Romans 1:8–11; Acts 8:14
■ Other
Visual for Lesson 7. Start a discussion by pointing to this visual as you ask, “Why do people resist submitting their lives to Jesus today?”
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