DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For November 26, 2023 : Topic – HEALING OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS
Read previous STS Bible Study here
YOUTH STS
LESSON 88
HEALING OF BLIND BARTIMAEUS
Memory Verse: “And Jesus Said unto him, Go thy way, Thy faith hath made thee Whole. And immediately He received his sight, and Followed Jesus in the way” (Mark 10: 52).
TEXT: Mark 10:46-52
Christ and His disciples went out of Jericho, blind Bartimaeus heard about Jesus of Nazareth passing by and cried out for help. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged Him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a Great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark I0:47,48). Christ heard his plea and healed him. Today, Christ is willing to help as many youths as will look up to Him. It is necessary for youths to realize that Christ has Power to solve their problems; be it academic, social, spiritual And emotional as they prayerfully depend on Him.
Question 1: What should Christian youths do to solve Problem that seems to persist?
Life is full of challenges. When confronted with any Challenge and efforts to get them solved seem impossible, this Is an indication that there is need for divine help. At such a Time, it is good to look up to God in prayer with faith for Solution. However, many Christian youths, when there is any Challenge instead of depending on God to help them, look to People for assistance. When it is not forthcoming. They get discouraged and end up complaining, and murmuring rather than looking up to God for help. At other times, some Christian youths turn away from Christ, stop attending fellowship and get engaged in things that will not promote righteousness.
1. PASSIONATE PLEA FOR MERCY BY BLIND BARTIMAEUS
Mark10:46-48; Luke 18:34-39; Psalm 103:3-8; Hebrews 4:16; Exodus 34:5,6
Our Lord Jesus went through Jericho for His earthly ministry of preaching, teaching and healing, There met Him a blind Bartimaeus. “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:46-48). Blind Bartimaeus’ hopeless situation for many years made him to passionately plead for mercy to be healed the moment he heard that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Though the multitudes that followed Christ tried to stop him, he cried so much the more “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:47b).
Question 2: What can we receive through God’s mercy?
Forgiveness of sin is the greatest blessing received through God’s mercy. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting ne into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1Timothy 1:12,13). Sinning youths can receive forgiveness if they humbly ask for dis mercy. Furthermore, through His mercy, we can be healed, prospered and helped to pass examinations. “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psalm 145:8,9).
2. PERSISTENT PLEA FOR HEALING BY BLIND
Mark 10:48,49; Luke 18:36-39; Matthew 20:30; Hebrews 4:16
Although blind Bartimaeus was charged to hold his peace He continued to cry out for help. “And many charged him That he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a Great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (Mark 10:48). Blind Bartimaeus did not allow the attitude of the disciple and the multitudes that followed our Lord Jesus to determine the tine he should receive his healing. His faith Was not based on his circumstances and the response of the People around him. Rather, he looked to the compassionate Christ to meet his need. He put in more efforts to get the Attention of Christ as he pleaded for mercy.
The following Lessons should be learnt from the attitude of blind Bartimaeus:
The attitude of people around us should not Determine our disposition when in need
Delay of answers To prayers should not discourage us
When fellow believers Do not care about our predicament or show concern, it should Not stop us from following and serving the Lord.
Question 3: What should be the attitude of Christian Youths when help is not forthcoming from the people They expect to assist then?
Blind Bartimaeus did not look up to people to assist him to Call the Saviour. He decided to continue to plead for mercy. Likewise, the Psalmist said, “1 will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1,2). Christian youths need not allow any problem to distract or discourage them after they have prayed for their needed Miracle even when people seem not to care about their needs. they should, however, act like the Psalmist who said, “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (Psalm 31:7). Prayer of faith with patience and hope in God will! Bring the expected victory. When there are problems to be solved, after taking definite steps, then the next step to follow is wait on God for solution.
3. PURPOSEFUL PLEA FOR HEALING BY BLIND BARTIMAEUS
Mark 10:49-52; Luke 18:40-43; Hebrews 1:16: Luke 1: 50,57,58; Romans 4:18-21;9:15,18
Immediately Christ herd blind Bartimaeus cry for mercy, He stopped, ready to listen, and granted his request. The Lord is always ready to attend to as many that seek Him “And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that l should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way” (Mark 10:49-52). For him to get to the Lord, he removed his garment and left where he was. Often time, when we need help from God, there are things that we have to forsake.
Question 4: Mention the promises of God that assure believers of answers to prayer.
“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3,4). God has given promises that cover all areas of our lives such as salvation, success, financial breakthrough, healing, divine guidance and Preservation from all evils. There is need for Christian youths to be Sincere and ensure that they remove things that can hinder their miracles.
Question 5: What are the things that Can hinder believers from receiving help from God
The believer’s prayers can be hindered by:
√ Sin (Isaiah 59-1-3)
√ Doubt (James 1:5-7),
√ Lack of definite request James 4:3),
√ Putting trust in man (Jeremiah 17: 5, 6),
√ Seeking help in Ungodly ways (Isaiah 30:1,2),
√ Deliberate disobedience to the Word of God (Job 35:12),
√ Murmuring and complaining (Exodus 16:2, 3),
√ Unforgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15),
√ Laziness In prayer (James 4:2) and
√ Unwillingness to show mercy to Others (Jeremiah 6:23).
Believers need to wholeheartedly Depend on God for help as they face life’s challenges. “He is Ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed” (Psalm 37:26).