CARING FOR THE SICK
40 Days of Peace - Part 5
October 24-28, 2005

Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick

Matthew 14:14 (NIV)

Sickness can be caused by stress, sin, genetics, or the environment. The reasons people get sick aren't important: what is important is the response we as Christians make to them. Attitudes towards sickness vary from religion to religion. Hinduism sees illness as an illusion that it's not really happening. Buddhism treats illness with indifference, the product of a person's karma and encourages people not to feel it. Islam's attitude is one of resignation, that it is the will of Allah. Stoicism treats illness with toughness. Only Christianity has an attitude of compassion to illness. When judgment day arrives, Jesus will ask us if we cared for the sick, as he did. When we care for the sick, we are acting as the hands and arms of Christ. There are billions of people suffering from illness we either know how to prevent or how to heal. However, many of us are uncomfortable with the sick and dying and try to avoid them out of fear, busyness, or feelings of inadequacy. Jesus wants us to care for the sick as we want to be cared for when we are sick. We care for the sick through thoughtfulness, presence, acceptance, affirmation, healing, prevention and prayer. The illness of others is a test for us, as well as a test for them. It is no sin or shame to be ill and we all are at risk for physical, mental and emotional illness. By our care and our compassion, or lack of it, we will be judged.

MONDAY

1. THOUGHTFULNESS: PAY ATTENTION
[Your Objective: Understand how compassion begins with consideration.]

According to Psalm 106:44, what did God do when he heard his people cry?

  • Why does it help us to know God sees our misery?

Who does Psalm 142:4 say showed concern for the Psalmist?

  • How do we feel if it seems no one is concerned for us?

In Matthew 25:36, who cared for the sick?

  • Do we want to be the ones caring for the sick? Why not?

Ministry - What does Matthew 25:34-40 say about how Christ views us caring for the sick? If that is His attitude what should we do? Identify the attitudes that keep us from paying attention to the sick and discuss how to overcome them.

TUESDAY

2. PRESENCE: SHOW UP
[Your Objective: To understand that it is God's Presence in us that enables us to do His will concerning others.]

In Psalm 38:11 who is it that is avoiding King David? What is their reason for doing so?

  • Why do people tend to avoid those who are sick or wounded? How can believers overcome those feelings?

What things does Philippians 4:13-14 tell us that we can do? What does Christ do to make that possible?

  • What are some examples of "everything" that might be needed in an ill person's life?
  • If we feel inadequate to help in a specific way when the need is great, what does verse 14 say is good to do? What experience have you had in sharing or receiving this kindness?

In reading Isaiah 63:9a, who are the two who are distressed or troubled?

  • Since it is the Lord's very presence that is intimately involved with us, how can we reflect that in our relationships?

Evangelism (Mission) - The heart of Evangelism is to share the Gospel as we share ourselves. Surely ill people need a personal touch, but at times we are more concerned with trying to "fix" a situation and therefore don't know what to do or say. Following the Lord's example, anyone can offer their presence with prayer and in caring enough to hold hands and just be with them. Be His arms and hands. Who in your life might need your touch? What would it take to get you involved with the needs of people you don't know? Ask God to open your heart.

3. ACCEPTANCE: REMOVE THE EMBARRASMENT
[Your Objective: Learn and accept that no one is perfect and that we all have emotional, mental and physical illnesses that need support of others while we support other people with illness because it's not a sin to be ill.]

What does 1 Corinthians say our bodies are now and what they will be when we live again?

  • Why do we often take for granted that it's common to be sick and could happen to us at anytime?
  • Why do we often feel embarrassed about our illness or the illness of others?

Read Psalm 32:3. What does it say happened when the Psalmist kept things inside?

  • Why do we resist being vulnerable and choose to hold things inside?

According to Galatians 4:14, how was Paul and treated and welcomed in spite of his illness?

  • What are some of the ways we can reflect the love of Jesus to someone who is sick?
  • How can we become more accepting so the stigma of illness is removed?

Fellowship (Membership) - God want us to respond to others who are sick the same way Paul was treated according to Galatians 4:14. We need to accept people as if we were caring for Jesus Himself. This comes through acceptance into our church, our small group, our arms and our homes. Who can you identify that needs the love of Jesus through you who you know is feeling embarrassed by their illness?

WEDNESDAY

4. AFFIRMATION: GIVE THEM HOPE
[Your Objective: Understand that hope is something that sick people need and each group member can give.]

What sustains a person who is sick, according to Proverbs 18:14?

  • Why is having hope so important when dealing with your own sickness or that of someone you love?

Read Proverbs 15:4. What does this verse say about kind words being good medicine?

  • Discuss how sharing kind words can help a person who is sick.

Fellowship (Membership) - Who do you know that needs an encouraging word to bring hope? Commit to spending time with that person this week and share the hope that can be found in Jesus and help them see how it can apply to their needs.

THURSDAY

5. HEALING: USE THE BEST MEDICINE AVAILABLE
[Your Objective: Realize how God wants us to use the best medicines and treatments available to heal the sick.]

How did the Good Samaritan demonstrate using the best medicine available in Luke 10:34?

  • Why do people say using medicine is wrong when there are so many examples of the use of medicines in the Bible?

What reason is given in Proverbs 31:6 for giving a person strong drink? How does this relate to today's use of pain killers?

  • How do we differentiate between legitimate medicinal uses of a substance and its improper use?

Ministry - Presumption is when we ignore what God has provided. Millions of people die each year from diseases we know how to cure or prevent. How can you help people get the medicines they need to fight these diseases? Think of a way your small group can make a difference.

6. PREVENTION: TEACH HEALTHY HABITS
[Your Objective: Develop a belief each person can teach simple changes in personal habits that can save millions of lives.]

What does Proverbs 4:21-22 say words bring to the whole body?

  • How can words be used to bring healing to the body?

What is required of people in Exodus 15:26 to avoid sickness?

  • How can people be encouraged to apply the enormous amount of health wisdom and knowledge contained in the Bible?

Discipleship (Maturity) - How can you better apply the biblical concepts of healthy living in your own life? What can you do to help others learn basic health habits that can save lives?

FRIDAY

7. PRAYER: ASK GOD TO HEAL
[Your Objective: Learn and implement the power of God through prayer and access those according to the Bible who help.]

In James 5:16, who does it say that our sins should be confessed to for healing? What power does this have?

  • Why do we often wait until sick before praying for each other?
  • What is something you might consider confessing to bring healing in your life?

Who are we to call if we become sick according to James 5:14?

  • Who are some of the leaders in the church that can pray for you?

What is the prayer about health in 3 John 1:2?

  • Are there some things that need to be healed in your soul so that it's healthy?
  • Why is it so important to our physical health that we have a healthy soul?

Worship (Magnification) - The true Source of power to heal the sick comes from God and His caring people. Our prayers have great ability to impact the healing and comfort of others who are sick. Who can you identify personally, in your community and globally that needs your prayers for healing?

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Understand why caring for the sick is a mandate, not an option and identify what steps the group can take to achieve this part of the P.E.AC.E. plan.]

All of us will be sick in our lives, some of us frequently and seriously. Yet we avoid those who are sick and show little compassion. Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40 when we help the sick, it is as if we are doing something for Him. If we don't help the sick, we are clearly ignoring His will. Identify some ways can the group help people who are sick in the local community. Since being present with the sick is often the thing we least want to do, discuss how the group can be present with people who are sick in the next month. Ask your group to commit to doing so and pray for God to direct you to where you can be helpful and grow.