Be Flexible and Thrive

Scripture Reading

John 5:2-9 (NRSVUE)

Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. In these lay many ill, blind, lame, and paralyzed people. One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The ill man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am making my way someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Introductory Remarks: 

Today’s lesson reminds us that it is easy to get caught up in our daily routine. The mindset and habits that we adopt to cope can be difficult to release. We find ourselves inflexible. We continue to do the same things in the same way, hoping for different results. 

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. The unnamed man at the Pool of Beth-zada developed a mindset and habits that enabled him to ‘cope’ for 38 years; Not to be healed of his ailment.

2. Jesus invites the unnamed man into a new mind set when he asks “Do you want to be made well?”

3. Jesus then invites the unnamed man to adopt a new habit: Stand up, take up his mat and walk.

4. ‘Unless we change, nothing changes. When you change you, things change for you.’ Sheila McKeithen

Quote:

ASSIGNMENT:

Answer these questions: ‘Where do I appear to be stuck? Am I willing for things to change? Am I willing to change? What change(s) can I make beginning NOW?’