Lesson Thirty One
A MAN WHO COULDN’T WALK
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Memory Verse: James 5:15
Further Study: Acts 3; Acts 4:1-22; Acts of the Apostles, pp. 57-69, The Bible Story, vol. 10, pp. 9-23
Some time ago I was involved in a car accident. Someone ran a red light and t-boned my van on the driver’s side. While I was not injured, the airbag on the side of the car went off and boxed me on the side of my head fairly hard. I had a mild concussion, took a bit of a break, and then went back to my routine.
Later, not sure how long, my family began to complain about the television being too loud or having to repeat things. I ignored their grumbling, but I did notice that I had to pay extra close attention to people talking, particularly at work. My boss often would fluctuate his voice and I would watch his face intently piecing things together as I listened, essentially reading his lips. As you might guess, I eventually was fitted with hearing aids as that accident caused damage to my eardrum.
Our lesson today is about Peter healing a lame man. But tucked away into this story is an interesting detail added by the author. Before he heals him, Peter says, “Look at me!”
Listening is important.
Listening is important. Children are notoriously poor listeners. They often can be easily distracted or so active that to stop to listen isn’t a high priority. But we as parents, need to say as Peter did, “Look at me!” Not only for disciplinary situations, but spiritual ones as well. Children that do not listen grow up into adults that may not listen.
I know of several adult situations where serious consequences were imposed all because someone chose not to listen to the advice or the warning. Peter’s look-at-me statement is alerting the lame man that something important was to happen—something bigger than the man and bigger than Peter. Jesus was about to impact this man’s life, changing everything.
Jesus was about to impact this man’s life, changing everything.
Jesus also wants to make an impact in our lives. It requires listening. Listening takes practice, so teaching our children to listen to us as well as to God is of utmost importance. When they grow up and leave your side whether to school, an overnight sleepover, college, or marriage, the ability to listen intently to what God wishes for them and the lessons found in the Bible will be one of the best gifts you can give them.
Together let’s listen and be renewed.
Digging Deeper
Peter gives his second speech since the Ascension. The first was at Pentecost. Now this one follows the healing of the lame man. In Acts 3:17-21, Peter tells the people to:
- Repent of their sins
- Which will bring a season of refreshing
- So God may send Jesus again (Second Coming)
These steps are still true for us today. Let us focus on repentance, refreshment, and the renewal that we wait for.
Making it Real
This is a great time to play Simon Says during family worship. While not typically a spiritual game, this is one where it teaches them to listen carefully to direction. Play it each evening this week. Then sit down and have a conversation about why listening to parents is important. Follow that by why listening to God is also something they should do each day.
A nice song about this story is sung by the Cedarmont Kids. You can listen here. Learn it this week with your children (or even as an adult). Practice leaping while you walk!
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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, who’s delighting everyone with her smiles. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.
