REMEMBER:  AND JESUS SAID UNTO THEM, "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE: HE THAT COMES TO ME SHALL NEVER HUNGER; AND HE THAT BELIEVETH ON ME SHALL NEVER THIRST." JOHN 6:35


REAL LIFE:

     Rontiel was a very successful doctor.  He had been very rambunctious as a kid.  He loved riding bikes, skating, swimming,   playing video games (which he was one the best) etc., you name it Rontiel was there.   In school he joined all the clubs and played many sports. He ran for student body president and won.  In college more activity, Rontiel joined a fraternity, organized rallies, dances, was head of the debate team and tutored children when he had time.  He had many friends and was popular among all.  He finished college including medical school and graduated with honors. He was living his dream, which was to be highly successful at everything he tried and he was.  But when Rontiel went home at night he felt empty even though his beautiful wife, his two smart kids and  his expensive dog was there to greet him.  With all that Rontiel had accomplished why do you think he was not feeling fulfilled? What do you think he is missing? Explain.

I FEEL EMPTY

     In this lesson Jesus had just finished performing two major miracles.  He had fed five thousand people and walked across the water to the boat which the disciples had set sail in to calm the storm.  Some of the five thousand souls he had fed had remained near the shore, near Jesus all night so they knew He hadn't crossed over in the boat with the disciples, but had went up into the mountains.  When the morning came they looked for Jesus and noticed He wasn't there and concluded that He had crossed over some time during the night.  They found boats and attempted to follow Him.  They were what we call "star struck" and hungry.  They crossed over with many questions for Jesus like how did get over there without a boat.  They suspected they had missed another miracle.  However, Jesus knew they had followed Him for more miracle food.  Many of these people were very poor and most likely hadn't had a full meal in days or even weeks.  Nonetheless Jesus answered their questions with,  "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. John 6:26(NKJV)  He goes on to tell them in verse 27, not to work for food that will eventually rot,(worldly goods) but for the food that will never rot (eternal life) and will last forever which He could give them only from His Father, God.  The people wanted to know what works they could do for this eternal life.  They were of the belief (like in our previous lessons), that there were tasks (the law) you must perform to become saved.  But Jesus assured them in John 6:29(NKJV)  that "This  is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."  

     The people were still looking for signs and miracles from Jesus.  They believed their ancestors were fed manna from Moses in the desert and once again He had to explain that the manna didn't come from Moses, but from God Himself.  Manna was provided to the people of Israel to sustain them after they escaped Pharoah and were they wandered the wilderness.  It was also a type of bread, a forerunner to the true "Bread of Life" who would come and sustain      

all people forever (not just Jews) who would accept Him .  It was as if Jesus was beating His head against a rock because these people were still focused on the physical, worldly things because they still asked for the bread Jesus had previously spoke of that would make them hungry no more. Jn 6:34.  "I am the Bread of Life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." Jn 6:35 is what Jesus answered back with.  As you read on you'll find that Jesus went on to explain His purpose on earth.  Just like us today we're always seeking that physical bread(worldly things) that will never satisfy us fully and won't last; but we fail to seek the spiritual bread(eternal life) that God is offering us through His son Jesus Christ.  Let's go deeper than what we can see and touch and accept what Jesus is offering us.  What's more important to you, eternal life or money? Why?   

GET FULL OFF OF JESUS, THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN SATISFY.  

   

Remember: "Therefore", said some of the Pharisees, "This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day."  Others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such miracles?" And there was a division among them. John 9:16 


THE REAL WORLD


     Faith was in seventh grade and on her way to school.  It was 7:55a.m. and she had only 5 minutes to make it to school on time.  At Faith's school if you didn't make it through the gates at 8a.m. you were taken to detention and your parents were called.  As Faith approached the last corner of the school up ahead she saw, Leslie Mills, the school bully.   She immediately thought "trouble" but as she got closer she noticed Leslie's body shaking and her head moving to one side, then she suddenly fell to the ground.  Faith runs to Leslie and calls her name, but gets no response so she calls 911 and also her mother to inform her of the problem.  Finally, an adult neighbor comes from across the street to stay with Leslie until the paramedics arrived.  Faith now 15 minutes late hurries to school and was escorted straight to detention while trying to explain what happened.  Given the circumstances, do you think Faith deserved detention? Why or why not?  What do you think Faith's mother might have said to her after the call from school?  Should being on time to school have been her first priority? Why or why not?


                                   HEALING THE BLIND


TEXT: JOHN 9:1-17  DEVOTIONAL: ISAIAH 29:17-21


     In this lesson Jesus and disciples pass by a blind beggar.  As they pass him the disciples asked the question, "Master who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"  They were holding to the belief that if you're born with a disability or some type of suffering it's caused by sin or a lack of faith.  But how can a newborn have already sinned?  It was then believed that the child's parents sinned and caused the suffering.  Jesus answered, "Neither hath this man nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him.  However, Jesus was not interested in arguing the point he saw a man in need and He goes on to say in verse 4 and 5  that He must work while it is day because there will come a time when no man can work; also that "I am the light of the world."
After He had spoken He spat on the ground, and made clay of the spit and applied it to the blind man's eyes and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam.  When the man came back he could see.  (John 9:6-7)
     Ecstatically, the man ran to tell others of his blessing.  The neighbors seeing him were surprised and some didn't recognize him asking the question, "Is not this the man who sat and begged?"  John 9:8  After the man answered yes and told of how he was healed, his neighbors rushed him to the Pharisees.  Perhaps maybe they thought they might be excited also, instead they questioned the man and concluded that a crime had been committed.  Because he had been healed on the sabbath day Jesus had violated the law by working on the sabbath, the day of rest.  They stated that "This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath." And others said, "How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles?" And there was a division among them.  They asked the former blind beggar again, "What do say about this man who healed you?  (perhaps hoping to hear a different answer from him), but he declared, "He is a prophet." John 9:17.  It seems as if no one was getting the point here.  The point was that God doesn't always do things the way we expect and also that Jesus has compassion on all before He follows any rules or laws?  The beggar knew that once he was blind, but now he could see after his visit with Jesus.  Have you had a visit from Jesus? How do you know?  Is it right to break a rule sometimes to help someone in need?  What was Jesus' answer to his disciples concerning the beggars blindness?             

HELP SOMEONE FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER!

Remember: But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). NKJV


THE REAL WORLD


     Terrell, Marcus, and Randis were excited about their youth camp's trip to a local swim club.  The boys' camp leader paid a fee for the campers to spend the day at the club and made the proper arrangements with the facility.
     Once the youth campers arrived, the three boys put on their swim trunks and  dove into the pool.  The sparkling water was refreshing in the summer heat.  The boys and the other kids had a great time doing cannonballs and splashing each other.  But some of the club members were not amused and complained to the manager.  The boys' skin color was part of these complaints.
     When it was time to leave, the clubs' manager pulled the youth leader aside and told him they could no longer visit the club.  The youth pastor asked why, and the manager told him that some of the members had a problem with boys' "disruptive"  behavior and were concerned the presence of Blacks would change the "atmosphere" of the club.  The youth leader just stared at the manager in disbelief.

     

     Is this discrimination?  Why or Why not?  Is it possible for people to change their ways?  What if you were treated a different way because of your skin color, reputation, physical appearance, etc.?  Could you forgive and share Christs' love with everyone? Why or Why not   
     


                                      WOMAN OF SAMARIA




TEXT: JOHN 4:7-15, 23-26, 28-30  DEVOTIONAL: REVELATION 22:10-17


     In this lesson Juniors will discuss who or what is acceptable by the world's view and that they can change because of Jesus.  We will share how our view of others influence our actions towards them.
     This week tells of Jesus in a unique situation. He's alone.  The disciples had gone into town and Jesus, a Jew was traveling through Samaria which was not common nor safe.  Tired from His journey Jesus sat by a well.  A Samaritan woman came to fill her water jars and Jesus asked her for a drink of water.  The woman was confused and surprised for 3 reasons (recognizing that Jesus was a Jew) 1. Jewish men did not start conversations with unknown women;  2. Jewish teachers did not have public conversations with women and; 3. Jews and Samaritans hated each other and did not converse. (Jn 4:9).  Samaritans were of mixed blood Jewish and foreign, so they weren't considered true Jews.  So you see her confusion?  But despite society's thinking Jesus continued to talk with her.  In doing so, he revealed her sin and need for a savior.  She had knowledge of the culture, history, and religious beliefs.  She had even heard of the Messiah's coming, but she seemed to falter when it came to the water they discussed.  She was sticking to rules and Jesus was breaking rules and barriers.  She spoke of living water we need to keep our bodies alive but, Jesus spoke of "living water", we need to keep our spiritual lives growing.  Of course he was speaking of Himself.  The woman was pleasantly surprised when He revealed His identity to her.  She left her water jars and ran to tell others in the town .  Her joy was so contagious and convincing others wanted to see this man too.  
     Let us follow Christ's example of witnessing to all people regardless of being considered outcasts, underdogs, freaks, etc.  He wants to make everyone feel loved, accepted and offer them eternal life.  We  should want do the same.


FOLLOW THE SPIRIT: What does God want me to do?
SAY IT CORRECLY: Suh-Mair-ee-ah


DRINK, BE EMPOWERED BY THE "LIVING WATER" AND THEN SHARE A DRINK WITH OTHERS.