07 Family Worship Guide:

Book of Mark, Day Seven, Lesson Seven

Author

Justin Hoke
September 20, 2024

Dear Family Worship Magazine Community,

These guides are designed to help you lead your family in daily worship. Each lesson is brief, lasting only 15-25 minutes. If you'd like to extend the worship time, consider adding additional hymns or reviewing the Shorter Catechism. You'll find the first lesson included below.

Family Worship Guide: Book of Mark, Day Seven, Lesson Seven

Opening Prayer:

"Almighty God, we come before You once again, grateful for Your Word that guides us in all truth. As we open our hearts and minds to Your teaching today, help us to see Your power, mercy, and grace in the life of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith and deepen our love for You as we study. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in all understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:40-45 (ESV)

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Reflection and Teaching:

This passage reveals not only the power of Jesus but also His deep compassion. Leprosy was a dreaded disease in Jesus’ time, and those who had it were considered unclean and forced to live outside of society. The leper’s approach to Jesus is remarkable, as he recognizes both Jesus’ authority and His ability to heal. He doesn’t demand healing, but humbly says, “If you will, you can make me clean.” This shows his faith in Jesus' power and trust in His will.

Moved with pity, Jesus does something that would have been shocking to those watching—He touches the leper. In doing so, He not only heals the man’s body but also restores his dignity, showing that no one is beyond His love and care. With a word, Jesus declares, “I will; be clean,” and the man is immediately healed.

Jesus instructs the man to follow the Jewish law by going to the priest to confirm his healing. However, the healed man, overwhelmed with joy, cannot contain himself and begins to tell everyone about what Jesus had done for him. As a result, Jesus becomes so popular that He can no longer enter towns openly.

This passage shows us that Jesus has the power to cleanse not just physical illness but also the deeper spiritual uncleanness that separates us from God. Just as He reached out to the outcast and the hopeless, He reaches out to us with love and grace.

Discussion Questions:

For Younger Children (Ages 10-13):

  1. What did the man with leprosy ask Jesus? How did he show his faith in Jesus?

  2. How did Jesus respond to the man’s request? Why is it important that Jesus touched him?

  3. After the man was healed, what did he do? What can we learn from his excitement about being healed?

For Older Children (Ages 14-18):

  1. The leper asked Jesus, “If you will, you can make me clean.” What does this show about the man’s understanding of both Jesus’ power and will?

  2. Jesus healed the man by touching him, which would have been unthinkable in that culture. How does this act demonstrate Jesus’ compassion and willingness to embrace the outcast?

  3. The man couldn’t keep quiet about what Jesus had done for him, even though Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone. How should this challenge us to share what Jesus has done in our own lives? What holds us back from doing so?

Application:

  • For All Ages: Think about someone in your life who may feel like an outcast or who is struggling with a burden. How can you reach out to them with the love of Christ, just as Jesus did for the leper? Pray together as a family for opportunities to show compassion to those who are hurting.

  • For Older Children: This week, reflect on how Jesus has “made you clean” by forgiving your sins and giving you new life. Take time to share your story with someone who may not know Jesus, or write it down as a reminder of His work in your life.

Closing Prayer:

"Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your compassion and power to heal and restore. Just as You reached out to the leper and made him clean, we ask that You cleanse our hearts and make us whole. Help us to trust in Your will and Your power in all things, and give us the boldness to share with others the amazing things You have done for us. In Your name, we pray. Amen."

Hymn or Song:

Conclude with a hymn or song that reflects on Jesus’ power and love, such as “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” or “Amazing Grace.”

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