Community

We share Jesus’ love with others.

POWER TEXT
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true
justice, show mercy and compassion every-
2
YEAR B | QUARTER 2
Through Thick and Thin
PO WE
RPOIN
The Bible Lesson at a Glance
Despite all His pain and suffering while on the cross, Jesus
expresses concern for those around Him: His friends, the sol-

T
diers, the thief on the cross, His mother. A few of His friends
one to his brother’” (Zechariah 7:9). show concern for Him by being there when He needs them.
Some of them also care for His body after death.
KEY REFERENCES
Like Jesus,
 Luke 23:26-56 This is a lesson about community.
 Matthew 27:45-56 we can care We can show concern for others in our faith community
 The Desire of Ages, chap. 78, even when we face difficult situations ourselves. By focusing
pp. 741-764 for others on others, we will receive a blessing.
 The Bible Story (1994), vol. 9,
pp. 105-109 even when Teacher Enrichment
“The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face re-
 Student lesson on page 32 of this
guide
we face mained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood
upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death
OUR BELIEFS difficulties. dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging
fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were
 No. 9, The Life, Death, and doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies,
Resurrection of Christ ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ His
 No. 14, Unity in the Body of Christ mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His perse-
 No. 12, The Church cutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No
curses were called down upon the soldiers who were han-
OBJECTIVES dling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the
The students will: priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplish-
ment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance
 Know that they care for their
and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,—‘for
friends even in the face of difficulties
they know not what they do’ ” (The Desire of Ages, p. 744).
or death. What things consume my thoughts when I am going through
 Feel willing to take responsibility a painful experience? What might I gain by choosing to min-
for meeting the needs of their ister to the needs of my junior Sabbath School students rather
friends without being asked. than focusing on my own pain?
 Respond by deliberately seeking
ways to meet the needs of their
friends.

24
Welcome
Welcome students at the door and Ask: What was the most interesting the week. (The leader should be
direct them to their seats. Ask them part of the Bible story? What activ- familiar with the previous lesson to
how their week has been. Encourage ity did you find the most helpful? be able to direct the discussion.) This
learners to study their Sabbath Which activity was the most fun? is also a good time to have students

»
School lesson regularly, and use sev- Invite students to share their expe- recite the power text.
eral minutes to debrief students on riences and/or the handiworks they Have students begin the
the previous week’s lesson. created for Sabbath School during Readiness Activity of your choice.

Program notes
LESSON SEC TION MINUTES AC TIVITIES MATERIALS NEEDED
Welcome Ongoing Greet students at the door. Ask about their week.

1 Readiness 10-15 A. Caring for the Sick paper, pencils, white/chalkboard, markers/chalk

B. Acts of Kindness

* Prayer
& Praise
15-20 See page 27. Prayer & Praise may be used at any time
during the program.
songbooks, world map, pushpins, offering box, deco-
rated box for prayer requests

2 Bible 15-20 Introducing the Bible Story

Lesson
Experiencing the Story

Exploring the Bible Bibles, paper, pencils

3 Applying 10-15 Scenario

the Lesson

4
Sharing 10-15 Caring in Tough Times
the Lesson

*
Closing A. Prayer and Closing Comments
B. Reminder to Parents
C. Coming Up Next Week

25
LESSON 2

1
READINESS ACTIVITIES
Select the activity or activities that are most appropriate for your situation.

A YOU NEED:
B
 paper
Caring for the Sick  pencils Acts of Kindness
Have the students conduct a survey with  white/chalkboard Divide the students into small groups. Ask them to come
the person sitting next to them about up with at least four ways of showing how someone can
 markers/chalk
times someone cared for them during take responsibility for meeting the needs of friends. Allow
a time of illness. Sample questions may time for brainstorming. Then they are to choose one of
include: What kind of help did you need when you were those four ways and plan a short skit to portray it to the
sick? Who was there to care for you? How did you feel as a rest of the students. After each skit, have the audience dis-
result of the care you received? How did you respond to the cuss what they have seen.
person who cared for you?
Next, students will include on their survey questions Debriefing
about times when they were the caregivers to someone in Ask: Which of these behaviors/actions would you appre-
their family or to a friend. Sample questions may include: ciate a friend doing for you? How many do you do on a
What did you do to care for someone who was ill? How did regular basis? How do you feel when someone cares for
the person feel as a result of your care? How did the person your needs?
respond to you? How did helping someone make you feel? Say: Let’s say together our power text, Zechariah 7:9,
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice,
Debriefing show mercy and compassion everyone to his
Keep track of the answers on the board. Ask: Did anyone brother’ ” (Zechariah 7:9).
think about someone else’s needs when they themselves
were sick? How difficult is it to think about others when Today we will be looking at examples of how Jesus
you’re not feeling well yourself? Let’s say together our thought of others even when He was going through
power text, Zechariah 7:9: great pain Himself. As our power point teaches us:
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Like Jesus, we can care for others even when we
show mercy and compassion everyone to his face difficulties.
brother’ ” (Zechariah 7:9).

Let’s say the power point together:

Like Jesus, we can care for others even when we
face difficulties.

26
 * Prayer
& Praise

Fellowship
Report the students’ joys and sorrows (pleased and
troubled) as reported to you at the door (as appropri-
ate). If they have given you permission, share one or
two special items from students’ Bible study during
Notes the week. Acknowledge any birthdays, special events,
or achievements. Give a special, warm greeting to all
visitors.

Suggested Songs
“For God So Loved the World” (He Is Our Song, no. 43)
“Lamb of God” (He Is Our Song, no. 62)
“The Coloring Song” (He Is Our Song, no. 61)

Mission YOU NEED:

Use Adventist Mission magazine  world map
for youth and adults (go to www  pushpins
.juniorpowerpoints.org and click
on MISSION) or another mission report available to
you. Using a world map, have the students mark with
pushpins the location where the mission story is tak-
ing place.

Offering YOU NEED:

Continue to use the offering box  offering box
suggested last week. Remind
students that the offering is a way of recognizing our
relationship with others in this world. Even if we don’t
know the recipient of an offering personally, we are
related to them through our relationship with Jesus.

Prayer YOU NEED:

In a group prayer, give class mem-  box for prayer requests
bers opportunity to participate
by bringing the names and concerns of friends and
family before God.
Gather around your box with prayer requests and
make available small slips of paper. Encourage the
students to write down the names of those for whom
they want to pray. Give each student the opportu-
nity to share their concerns as they place the slips
of paper in the box with prayer requests. At the end,
pray that God will use us to bless others and thank
Him for the blessings that He promises when we care
for others. Pray also for the students’ joys and sorrows,
for the birthday and other special event celebrants, as
well as for the visitors.

27
LESSON 2

2
BIBLE LESSON

Introducing the Bible Story Experiencing the Story

Ask the students to share experiences in which Share the following information with your students and discuss the
they have helped someone whose problems they questions that follow. Say: Crucifixion was a common mode of pun-
can understand because they had gone through ishment among heathen nations in early times. This was regarded
similar experiences. Be ready to share a story of as the most horrible form of death.
your own also. Say: Today we’re going to learn This punishment began by subjecting the sufferer to scourging
about how Jesus cared for others even when with a whip of leather thongs with small pieces of metal or bone
He was dying on the cross. tied to them. The condemned one carried his own cross to the
place of execution, which was outside the city. Before the nailing
to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall
and myrrh was given for the purpose of deadening the pangs of
the sufferer. Jesus refused to take this painkiller so that His senses
might be clear (M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary [Grand
Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978], pp. 174, 175).
It seems most likely that first the right and then the left wrists
were nailed to the crossbeam with sharp nails or spikes while the
convicted criminal lay on the ground. Then the whole was drawn
up by ropes and fastened to the upright. One nail fastened the feet
to the cross.
Death by crucifixion was usually quite drawn out. The person
crucified rarely died before 36 hours. In some cases it stretched to
nine days. For that reason the centurion and four soldiers were left
as a guard to prevent a rescue.
The pain was obviously intense, as the whole body was strained,
while the hands and feet, which are a mass of nerves and tendons,
would lose little blood. After a while the arteries of the head and
stomach would be surcharged with blood, causing a throbbing
headache, and eventually traumatic fever and tetanus would set
in (The New Bible Dictionary [Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.,
1962], pp. 281, 282).

Debriefing
Ask: How would you have felt if you had been there seeing Jesus
treated in this manner? What thoughts would you have had if you
had been one hanging on a cross? Can you imagine yourself worry-
ing about your friends’ feelings at a time like that? Did Jesus focus
on His own situation? How did He act toward those around Him?
Did He have to be told to be concerned about the needs of oth-
ers? How do you show concern for others when you are facing
difficulties yourself? As our power point reminds us:
Like Jesus, we can care for others even when we face
difficulties.

28
 3
A P P LY I N G T H E L E S S O N

YOU NEED:
Bibles
Exploring the Bible 
Scenario
 paper, pencils
Ask the students, individually, to find Read the following scenario aloud to your students:
examples of the following in Luke 23:26-56: (1) ways in Ram and Nada’s father died three years ago. Their
which Jesus expressed concern for others; (2) examples of mother has managed to hold the family together and
how others showed concern for Him. support them so far. But today she came home and told
After they have had time to study the passage, call for them that there have been some layoffs at work, and she
their responses. Possible answers would include (1) Jesus’ has lost her job. She will have to find another one. Until
concern for the soldiers who crucified Him, the thief on she does, Ram and Nada won’t be able to buy anything
the cross, and His own mother’s welfare; (2) Joseph of new, or have money for any school excursions, etc.
Arimathea’s offering of his tomb for Jesus’ burial and the
women’s errand to anoint Jesus’ body. Debriefing
Say: Let’s say together our power text, Zechariah 7:9: Ask: How do you think Ram and Nada might respond to
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, their mother’s news? What can you tell them based on
show mercy and compassion everyone to his our lesson today? What kind of responsibility do Ram
brother’ ” (Zechariah 7:9). and Nada have to help their mother? How can they help
her? Our power point reminds us that
Let’s remember our power point: Like Jesus, we can care for others even when we
Like Jesus, we can care for others even when we face difficulties.
face difficulties.

29
LESSON 2

4
SHARING THE LESSON
* Closing

Prayer and Closing Comments:

Caring in Tough Times Say: We can apply the power point whenever
Invite students to share with the class what they did during we have the opportunity. Let’s repeat once
the past week to comfort or encourage someone in need. again the power point:
Ask: Who had a chance to care for someone who needed Like Jesus, we can care for others even
to be comforted and encouraged? How did that person when we face difficulties.
respond?
Ask the students to form pairs. Say: 1. Share with your Reminder to Parents:
partner a time when things were really difficult or stress- Say: Check out the student Bible study guide
ful. (Allow 30 seconds to a minute for each one to share.) to find Parents’ Pages for your use in family
2. Now, share with your partner what you thought or wor- worship, or however you wish to use them to
ried about during that time. (Allow 30 seconds to a minute spiritually guide your children. You may listen
for each.) 3. Having heard what Jesus thought about and to the podcast of the lesson online at www
what He did while on the cross, how might you behave .juniorpowerpoints.org/podcast.php?channel
differently the next time you are in a difficult situation? =1.
(Allow each 30 seconds to share.)
Coming Up Next Week:
Debriefing Say: Jesus’ followers tell others about His
Ask: How many of you might like to do things differently resurrection. We can share our hope for
the next time you face tough times? Who is a person who eternal life with our family, friends, and
is facing a difficult situation that you can support? How people in the community.
can you be a friend to someone in need?

30
Notes

31
LESSON 2

Student lesson
Through Thick and Thin
Is it possible to trust God so much that to trust His Father. quences that would result from their
you can forget about your troubles and The crowd that followed and rejection of Him. He prayed, “Father,
show love and compassion to another watched as Jesus fell, bleeding and in forgive them, for they do not know
person? terrible pain, showed no compassion. what they do” (Luke 23:34). What a
They yelled and taunted Him, saying magnificent evidence of the depth of

T
he story of Jesus being led to His “Make way for the King of the Jews!” Jesus’ care, love, and forgiveness for
crucifixion is one of trust in God. A Cyrenian man by the name of those who tortured Him. Jesus not
Jesus had studied the prophecies Simon saw what was happening and only taught but showed in the deep-
and He knew He would sacrifice His stopped in astonishment. Seeing his est sense what it means to love our
life to save humanity. Yet He trusted compassion, the soldiers grabbed him enemies. In that He is our supreme
God to guide His life. Even though the and forced him to carry the cross for example.
immediate circumstances were fright- Jesus. Crucified with Him were two thieves,
ening and agonizing, His trust in God Women in the crowd who had seen one on each side. Both heard the scorn
allowed Him to go meekly to the cross, Jesus fall under the weight of the and ridicule of the priests. Both heard
as a lamb. Prophet Isaiah described this cross began to wail and cry loudly. Jesus pray forgiveness for His perse-
beautifully: “He was led as a lamb to Though they were expressing pity for cutors. Both witnessed His peaceful
the slaughter, and as a sheep before its Him, Jesus knew they did not believe submission to unjust torture. As one
shearers is silent, so He opened not His in Him as the Son of God. Desiring thief joined in taunting Jesus, the other
mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). to lead them to the Father, He took was convicted that Jesus was the the
Jesus trusted in His Father even one last opportunity to warn them of Son of God. With him Jesus shared
when arrested in the Garden of the coming destruction of Jerusalem: words of forgiveness, promise, and
Gethsemane. Thoughtful of His disci- “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep hope: “Assuredly, I say to you today . . .
ples’ welfare, He asked for their free- for Me, but weep for yourselves and for you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke
dom. Even though He had secured your children” (Luke 23:28). 23:43).
their freedom, His disciples ran away, Jesus was able to look past the Finally, Jesus looked down at His
trying to escape. They left their Master moment of torture, past the coming heartbroken mother. In His dying hour
at a time He needed them most. Then destruction of Jerusalem, and see He committed her to the care of His
Peter, one of His disciples, denied Him. the final destruction of the world. He trusted disciple John. What a remark-
Jesus’ trust in God did not waver said, “Then they will begin ‘to say to able evidence of filial love!
even when He was being insulted, the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the Jesus is our perfect example. Even in
mocked, falsely accused, and twice tor- hills, “Cover us!” ’ ” (Luke 23:30; Hosea His hour of dying, He was still pleading
tured by the scourge whip! 10:8). Even at that trying time, right for forgiveness for others; still lovingly
After the second whipping, the cross before His death, Jesus reached out in offering salvation to a sorrowing thief;
was put upon Him. He had not taken love and warning, “not willing that any still ministering to those needing
any food or drink since the Passover should perish but that all should come care. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every
meal with His disciples. In addition, to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Christian followed the example of
the scourging had drained Him of His Even on the cross, as the nails were Jesus? “Let this mind be in you which
energy. Being too weak to lift up the piercing His hands and feet, Jesus was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians
cross, Jesus fell. Again the cross was thought of His persecutors. He did 2:5).
placed upon Him, and again He fell not protest; He desired no vengeance.
under its weight. Still, Jesus continued Instead, He pitied them for the conse-

32
 KEY REFERENCES POWER TEXT POWER POINT
 Luke 23:26-56; Matthew 27:45-56 “ Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute Like Jesus, we can care for others even
 The Desire of Ages, chap. 78, true justice, show mercy and com- when we face difficulties.
pp. 741-764 passion everyone to his brother’ ”
 The Bible Story (1994), vol. 9, (Zechariah 7:9).
pp. 105-109
 Our Beliefs, nos. 9, 14, 12

DO READ

THINK
READ

ASK
LEARN

REVIEW
THINK
PRAY

PRAY

READ

READ THINK

THINK
DO

PLAN REVIEW
PRAY
REVIEW
PRAY
READ
ACT
READ SAY
SING THINK

THINK
PRAY

REVIEW
PRAY

33