He Took Our Infirmities and Bare Our Sicknesses

Purpose: To help class members

understand some of the

reasons that Jesus performed

miracles:.

Gospel Doctrine Lesson Seven

“Each miracle of Jesus writes for us in small letters something that God has already written, or will write, in letters almost too large to be noticed, across the whole

canvas of nature”. CS Lewis

Read Mark 5:19 and 3 Nephi 17:6-7. Why did Jesus perform

miracles?

Compassion is one aspect of love. Compassion may start with a feeling, but it ends in

action. Sympathy says, “I feel bad that you are hungry”.

Empathy says, “I know something about how you

feel; I was hungry once myself”. But compassion says, “Friend, let’s go get

something to eat”. Sympathy and empathy

don’t require us to do anything; but compassion will cause us to touch, lift,

feet, and help those in need.

How can I show more compassion to someone in my life this week?

Healing the man of palsy Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26

In seeking the healing power of Jesus Christ the four men who took their friend to the Savior provide an example of three things that we can do in

order to manifest faith.

The disciples’ task Quote What does this mean for me? How can I push myself to

do more of this?

First, these men dared to do the difficult. It was not easy

to bring this man to the Lord. They had to carry him

through the city streets and up the rungs of a ladder. Yet,

these men persisted even when their task became

hard.

“Remember that persevering in those things that matter

usually requires constant effort. Over time,

perseverance will bear the fruit we long to obtain. If our path has no obstacles, our

progress will be limited. Success has a pride and

there is no choice but to pay that price of hard work in order to obtain it.” Claudio D

Zivic Ensign. April 2014

Second, these men dared to do the unorthodox. They did

not allow the fact that most people didn’t enter houses through the roof

deter them from their goal. They just did what was

necessary and risked the disapproval of not only the

homeowner, but every other person there.

“As we go about living from day to day, it is almost

inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at

times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet…standing alone. Do we

have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs,

even if by so doing we must stand alone? President

Thomas S. Monson

Third, these men dared to do the costly. Somebody had to pay for that roof. These men

laid it all on the line to demonstrate their faith in

Jesus Christ, at great personal expense.

“Money is of little importance where truth is concerned”

President John Taylor

Casting Out of Evil Spirits and Calming the Storm Mark 5:1-13; 18-20

Why has Mark paced these two very different stories together? I

think it is to help us see that whether the enemy that threatens us is an event outside of us, such as the storm, or

inside of us, such as habit, attitude, the spirit of unforgiveness,, or addiction, Jesus can help us to overcome.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your life right now?

Do they originate from outside of you or inside?

How have you demonstrated faith and approached the Savior, asking for help to overcome these challenges?

Healing the Leper Mark 1:41

To touch a leper was unthinkable. Lepers were banished from society and the

citizenry was advised to throw stones at them if tried to approach. With their open sores and dirty bandages, lepers were the last people anyone

would want to touch. Yet the first thing Christ did for this man was to touch him. Even before Jesus spoke to him, he reached out his hand and touched

him. Think of how this man must have longed for a human touch. Jesus could have healed him first and then touched him. But recognizing his deepest

spiritual need, Jesus stretched forth his hand and healed his soul before he spoke the words that healed his body.

Calming the Storm Mark 4: 35-41; Matthew 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25Y

“Why are you afraid?” Isn’t this a strange question to ask men who

were in danger of losing their lives? Just a moment earlier they were being tossed about by a raging storm, their boat was rapidly

filling with water and the winds were howling, drowning out the sound of their prayers. The disciples didn’t answer, so Jesus did. The disciples were afraid because they lacked faith. Faith is a belief in the goodness and care of God, a belief that He loves us, the belief that

God is active is our lives and is always acting in our best interest. Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this? Your life is falling

apart,, you desperately need help. But, when you cry out to your Father in Heaven, there is no answer. We all have. IIn these types of

situations, how can you manifest more faith?

Healing of Jairus’ Daughter Matthew 9:18-26; Marik 5:21-43

Nowhere else in the scriptures does

this man [Jairus] or his name appear in scripture or the annals of history. , Yet thousands of years after his death his memory lives in the memory of others because of a

brief encounter with Jesus. Likewise, many other lives have become memorable that would typically have been lost in obscurity had it not been for the

touch of the Master’s hand. How can you allow the Savior to touch your life and increase its significance?