by Ron Fast
One of the things that Jesus did when He came to earth was to hang with those who were considered scum by the Pharisees and those who taught about God's law. The Pharisees were the ones who were supposed to help keep the Jewish people spiritually healthy, but instead they set up hundreds of rules that the Jewish people had to follow in order to be considered “godly”.
When Jesus came to earth He was always hangin’ with those who were considered “untouchable” by the Pharisees. This week we are going to look at a couple of stories about the scum that Jesus actually hung out with and hopefully, we’ll see something that will help us relate to those around us.
Monday
Brainstorm
I want to pick your brain for a bit (Scary huh. What happens when someone picks their brain? Do they use their finger? Sounds kinda gross.).
Anyway, I want you to brainstorm about the following questions. I know, some of you are thinking, "Do I actually have a tornado in my head or just lots of rain? Maybe that's why my nose is always dripping.")
If you were given a choice of sitting in a room full of sick people or sitting in a room full of healthy people, which would you choose? Why?
Would you rather sit in a room full of strangers or room full of friends? Why?
From what you know about the Pharisees and tax collectors, who do you think are the bigger sinners? Why?
Why do you think Jesus came down and hung with the real sinners rather than the Pharisees?
Tuesday
Jesus hangs with Scum #1
Read Mark 2:13-17
What did He mean by telling Levi to “Follow Me”?
Solve the puzzle to see what Levi did for a living.
Who else came to dinner at Levi’s house?
Why were some people labeled as “sinners” and some not?
Note: Today’s study is a continuation of yesterdays.
How did the Pharisees and teachers of the law react to Jesus attending Levi’s little tea party?
Why do you suppose they freaked out the way they did?
What was Jesus’ answer to them?
In Jesus’ answer, who were the “healthy” and who were the “sick”?
Does this mean that some weren’t sinners?
Wednesday
Note: Today’s study is a continuation of yesterdays.
Who else came to dinner at Levi’s house?
Why were some people labeled as “sinners” and some not?
How did the Pharisees and teachers of the law react to Jesus attending Levi’s little tea party?
Why do you suppose they freaked out the way they did?
What was Jesus’ answer to them?
In Jesus’ answer, who were the “healthy” and who were the “sick”?
Does this mean that some weren’t sinners?
Thursday
Jesus hangs with Scum #2
Read Luke 5:12-16
What is a leper?
Having lived in India I was able to see leprosy first hand. They had leprosy camps for all those who had leprosy so that they would be away from healthy people. This is an ugly disease that made people lose body parts. I’ve seen lepers who have no nose or ears or fingers or even lips. Leprosy fries your nerve endings so that you can’t feel pain. So if you had this disease, you could put your hand directly in a fire and not feel it. That’s how lepers lose their body parts.
It’s really sad to see.
The problem back in Jesus’ days is that . . . Well . . . Uh. . . I’ll let you figure that out in the following puzzle.
Words to Find
Hidden Message Puzzle
Hidden Message
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Friday
Today’s study continues from yesterday.
Yesterday you solved a puzzle and discovered why lepers were all alone back in Jesus’ time.
Do you think that the Leper knew who Jesus really was? Why or why not?
Do you think that the Leper had faith in Jesus?
Why?
How did the Leper get healed of his disease?
Saturday
SO WHAT?????
What do the two stories that we studied this week tell us about Jesus?
Are there ways that you can do what Jesus did to others in your life?
What are the specific things you can do for others?
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Ron Fast is the author of G-TRAX Devo's, Biblical devotionals for youth. G-TRAX Devo’s are now available online at www.youthministrydevotionals.com in an interactive form. He has over 9 years of experience working with Junior High and Middle School students. His personal mission is “to make the Bible relevant to today’s youth”.
