The story of Jesus healing touch of one considered “untouchable,” a man with leprosy, illuminates Jesus’ great compassion for all people – even those who are shunned or ostracized by society. Stories of Jesus’ miraculous healings, such as the one in the focus passage today, can precipitate challenging discussions among youth and adults.

Affirm all feelings expressed as valid, and be careful that no one feels that her or his experience of faith has been discounted. The discussions in the session materials can help group members consider the wide spectrum of experiences with which the word “healing” can be associated.

Compare the healing story of Naaman with the healing story of Jesus. What are the differences and similarities? How might the story of Jesus’ healing of the man with leprosy speak to us today?

We give thanks, O God, that you choose to touch our world with compassion. May we be a healing and compassionate presence in the world.

~ from Ages 15-18, Prayers for Epiphany

Paradoxically, a group of humans becomes healing and converting only after its members have learned to stop trying to heal and convert. Community is a safe place precisely because no one is attempting to heal or convert you, to fix you, to change you. Instead, the members accept you as you are. You are free to be you. And being so free, you are free to discard defenses, masks, disguises; free to seek your own psychological and spiritual health; free to become your whole and holy self.

~ Dr. Scott Peck, from The Road Less Travelled

• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.
• “Two Perspectives” (Adult and Ages 15-18 resource sheet) and “Leprosy” (Adult Digging Deeper resource sheet) explore the world of “unclean” and “clean” and “leprosy” in Jesus’ day.
• “Practicing Compassion” (Ages 12-14 resource sheet) reveals the seven suggestions from His Holiness, the Dalai Lama for living a life of compassion. This list could be shared with groups in your church.

• Storytelling tip: think of telling a story not as something to be taught but as something special to be shared
• Option: use the paraphrase “Don’t Tell Anyone” (p.65) based on Mark 1:40-45 and “Miriam Smiles” (p. 63) based on 2 Kings 5:1-14 from the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B; also available as an mp3 and projectable art download)
• “Where Did Jesus Go?” and “Leprosy in Jesus Time” (Ages 9-11 resource sheets) and “What is Leprosy?” (Multiage resource sheet) guide leaders and groups in an understanding of how illness was viewed during Jesus’ day.

Some of the many options for exploring God’s compassion and healing love:

• Ages 3-5: talking about emotions and/or helping hands and/or necklaces
• Ages 6-8: talking about emotions and/or paper circle of friends or slogan buttons
• Ages 9-11: community stories or role play or shaped poems
• Multiage: drama and/or paper circle of friends or button messages
• Ages 12-14: labyrinth reflection or creating prayer poster
• Ages 15-18: skits or investigating “healing touch” ministry
• Adult: healing experiences and/or planning healing service projects

• Listen to “Circle Song” (#11) and “May You Find Peace” (#19) on the Seasons Vol. 7 Music CD or available as an mp3 download)
• Role play scenarios (Multiage resource sheet) gives children practice in what to say and do in situations when we meet someone who appears different.
• Reflection: think of times when you have felt excluded and then experienced healing (physical or emotional) or restoration. On a sheet of paper make a border of the words that you associate with these experiences. In the centre write a poem, song, or prayer expressing thanks for the healing or restoration.

February 19 – Thin Places

Focus: Mark 9:2-9
(The Transfiguration of Jesus)

This week’s scriptures reveal thin place moments where the veil between the holy and the ordinary is thin or lifted. The challenge is to be present in those thin place moments that are given to us.

LENT: Become familiar with the material that begins on February 26

• Look at the Planning-Overview section on the website tab for the Season at a Glance (for Encore) chart, as well as registration forms, attendance charts, lectionary bookmarks , and the Age 3 Supplement.
• Become familiar with the posters and storytelling resources for Lent. Read the “About the Art” article after you lay the posters out before you.
• Labyrinth: The stories we encounter in this Lent and Easter take us on a labyrinth journey, moving us into the heart and out to the universe. God’s promises of presence, grace, peace, friendship, and joy are viewed from every perspective.

“The first few times you walk the labyrinth you may have a mild sense of confusion – all those twists and turns can deceive you into thinking that the labyrinth is a confusing path you might get lost in. Very quickly, however, you will discover that you can’t get lost as long as you stay on the path and keep walking. Sooner or later you will come to the centre… the labyrinth is really one of the simplest objects there can be – a simple single path.”

~ The Spirituality of Mazes & Labyrinths, by Gailand MacQueen

For SeasonsFUSION (which inspires worship in a setting for all ages) see the SeasonsFUSION blog and sign up to receive the SeasonsFUSION Tip of the Week.

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