The International Sunday School, Outline

March 6

Lesson 1

POWERFUL FAITH

DEVOTIONAL READING: Genesis 50:15–21

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Mark 9:14–29

MARK 9:14–29

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

KEY VERSE
Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

—Mark 9:24

THE GIFT OF FAITH

Unit 1: Tests of Faith

LESSONS 1–4

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Describe the plight of the boy, the desperate faith of his father, and Jesus’ response.
2. Compare and contrast the father’s mixture of faith and unbelief with his or her own status in that regard.
3. Plan a ministry project that will stretch the faith of those who participate.

LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction
      A.      The Best Water You Ever Drank
      B.      Lesson Background
          I.      Prelude (MARK 9:14–16)
      A.      Scene Interrupted (vv. 14, 15)
      B.      Question Asked (v. 16)
          II.      Problem Analyzed (MARK 9:17–22)
      A.      Demon’s Domination (vv. 17, 18)
      B.      Jesus’ Exasperation (v. 19)
      C.      Boy’s Presentation (v. 20)
      D.      Father’s Explanation (vv. 21, 22)
          III.      Problem Solved (MARK 9:23–27)
      A.      Faith’s Power (v. 23)
      B.      Father’s Quandary (v. 24)
      Belief and Unbelief
      C.      Jesus’ Command (vv. 25–27)
          IV.      Problem Explained (MARK 9:28, 29)
      A.      Disciples’ Failure (v. 28)
      B.      Jesus’ Response (v. 29)
      Exorcisms, Then and Now
Conclusion
      A.      The Enemy of Faith
      B.      Prayer
      C.      Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Moses   Mo-zes or Mo-zez.

Sanhedrin   San-huh-drun or San-heed-run.

Syrophenician   Sigh-roe-fih-nish-un.

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 What Do You Think?
     What can we do to ensure that our discussions with skeptics end up shedding “light” and not “heat”?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      In private conversations
     ■      When others are listening
     ■      Proverbs 15:1, 18; 20:3
     ■      1 Peter 3:15
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 What Do You Think?

     How do we know when to interject ourselves into an ongoing conversation and when not to?

 Talking Points for Your Discussion

     ■      Regarding conversations between believers

     ■      Regarding conversations between believers and unbelievers

     ■      Regarding conversations between unbelievers

     ■      Proverbs 26:17

     ■      Matthew 7:6

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 What Do You Think?

     When have you seen someone’s level of faith play a key role in a Christ-honoring outcome to a negative situation? What did you learn from this?

 Talking Points for Your Discussion

     ■      Regarding a spiritual issue

     ■      Regarding a medical matter

     ■      Regarding a relationship problem

     ■      Other

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 What Do You Think?
     When was a time your prayer was similar to what the father expressed? How did things turn out?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      During a spiritual crisis
     ■      During a financial crisis
     ■      During a health crisis
     ■      During a relationship crisis
     ■      Other
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 What Do You Think?
     In what ways do a Christian’s prayers reveal his or her spiritual maturity? Why?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      Regarding what is prayed for (Luke 6:28; 1 John 5:16)
     ■      Regarding motive (Matthew 6:5; James 4:3)
     ■      Regarding form (Matthew 6:7)
     ■      Regarding priority and frequency of prayer (Luke 18:1; 1 Timothy 2:1)
     ■      Other
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