Sunday School: Gospel Doctrine
Lesson 7: ‘[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses’

“Lesson 7: ‘[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses’” New Testament: Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual (2002), 26–29

“Lesson 7,” New Testament Gospel Doctrine, 26–29

Lesson 7

“[He] Took Our Infirmities, and Bare Our Sicknesses”

Mark 1–2; 4:35–41; 5; Luke 7:11–17

Purpose

To help class members understand some of the reasons the Savior performed miracles.

Preparation

  1. Read, ponder, and pray about the following scriptures:

    1. Mark 1:14–15, 21–45. Jesus travels throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, casting out devils, and healing the sick. He casts an unclean spirit out of a man, heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, and cleanses a leper.

    2. Mark 2:1–12. Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy.

    3. Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20; Luke 7:11–17. Jesus calms the stormy sea, casts out a legion of devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.

    4. Mark 5:21–43. Jesus heals a woman who has an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

  2. Additional reading: Matthew 8–9; Luke 4:33–44; 5:12–32; 8:22–56; Alma 7:11–12; Mormon 9:7–20; Moroni 7:27–29, 33–37; Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33.

  3. If the pictures Stilling the Storm (62139; Gospel Art Picture Kit 214) and Jesus Blessing Jairus’s Daughter (62231; Gospel Art Picture Kit 215) are available, use them during the lesson.

  4. Suggestion for teaching: Class members need to know why the teachings in the scriptures are important today. As you prepare each lesson, prayerfully consider what you can do to encourage class members to apply gospel principles in their lives. (See Teaching, No Greater Call [36123], pages 159–60.)

Suggested Lesson Development

Attention Activity

As appropriate, use the following activity or one of your own to begin the lesson.

  • What is a miracle? (An extraordinary event caused by divine or spiritual power; see Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33.)

  • What is one of the Savior’s miracles that you would like to have witnessed? Why? (You may want to list some of Christ’s miracles on the chalkboard to help class members answer this question.)

Explain that this lesson will discuss some of the Savior’s miracles and his reasons for performing them.

Scripture Discussion and Application

As you teach the following scripture passages, discuss how they apply to daily life. Emphasize that Jesus continues to perform miracles in our lives. Encourage class members to share, as appropriate, miracles they have experienced. (You may want to remind class members that some experiences are too sacred to share. The Holy Ghost can help them know when it is appropriate to share an experience.)

1. Jesus travels through Galilee teaching the gospel and performing miracles.

Discuss Mark 1:14–15, 21–45. Invite class members to read selected verses aloud.

  • As Jesus traveled throughout Galilee teaching the gospel, he performed many miracles, including healing the sick and casting out devils (Mark 1:34, 39). Why did Jesus perform these and other miracles during his ministry? (Answers may include those listed below.)

    1. To show love and compassion (see Mark 5:19; see also 3 Nephi 17:6–7).

    2. To build and confirm faith (see Matthew 9:27–30).

    3. To prove his divinity and power (see Mark 1:27; 2:10–11).

    List class members’ responses on the chalkboard, and leave this list on the chalkboard throughout the lesson. As you discuss the miracles that Jesus performed, discuss some of the purposes that were fulfilled by each miracle. Add to the list any additional purposes mentioned during the lesson.

  • Why were the people in the synagogue in Capernaum amazed at Jesus’ teachings and his ability to cast out unclean spirits? (See Mark 1:22, 27.) By what authority did Jesus teach and perform miracles? (By the power of the priesthood, which the scribes did not have.) How do we have access to this power and authority today?

  • According to Mark 1:41, what was one reason Jesus healed the leper? Point out that Jesus performed many miracles that directly blessed just one person. What do these incidents demonstrate about how Jesus feels about us individually? How has he shown love and compassion for you?

  • How can we show Christlike love and compassion for those around us? How have other people shown Christlike love and compassion for you?

2. Jesus forgives a man’s sins and heals the man of palsy.

Read and discuss Mark 2:1–12.

  • Whose faith contributed to the healing of the man who was sick with palsy? (See Mark 2:3, 5.) How did these people demonstrate their faith? (See Mark 2:1–4.) How can we exercise faith in behalf of others? How has the faith of others helped you or someone you know?

  • What did some of the scribes think when Jesus told the man with palsy that his sins were forgiven? (See Mark 2:5–7.) How did Jesus respond to these scribes? (See Mark 2:8–11.) Point out that just as it was a miracle for the man to be healed of palsy, it was also a miracle for him to be forgiven of his sins. Emphasize that this miracle is available to each of us as we repent.

  • What greater healing power might be symbolized by the Savior’s physical healings? (See Isaiah 53:5; 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 9:13.) How has Jesus’ healing power blessed you spiritually? How can we seek spiritual healing?

3. Jesus calms the sea, casts out devils, and raises the son of the widow of Nain from the dead.

Read and discuss selected verses from Mark 4:35–41; 5:1–20 and Luke 7:11–17. Display the picture of Jesus calming the storm.

  • The physical aspects of the Savior’s miracles often symbolized spiritual truths. What spiritual truths can we learn from the following miracles? (Possible answers are given in parentheses.)

    1. Mark 4:35–41. Jesus calmed the sea. (He can bring us peace.)

    2. Mark 5:1–20. Jesus cast out a legion of devils. (He can cast Satan and his influence out of our lives.)

    3. Luke 7:11–17. Jesus raised a young man from the dead. (Because of his Atonement, we will rise from the dead in the Resurrection.)

    Invite class members to mention other miracles the Savior performed and the spiritual truths that we can learn from those miracles.

  • What other insights have you gained from studying these three miracles?

4. Jesus heals a woman with an issue of blood and raises Jairus’s daughter from the dead.

Read and discuss selected verses from Mark 5:21–43.

  • How did the woman with an issue of blood show her faith? (See Mark 5:25–29.) What was the cause of her healing? (See Mark 5:34. Emphasize that it was her faith in Jesus’ power, not the act of touching his garment, that caused her to be healed.)

  • Display the picture of Jesus blessing Jairus’s daughter. How did Jairus show his faith in the Savior? (See Mark 5:22–23.) What did Jesus say to strengthen Jairus’s faith when Jairus heard that his daughter was dead? (See Mark 5:36.) How can you apply these words in your life?

  • Why do you think faith must precede miracles? (See Ether 12:12, 18; Moroni 7:37; and the following quotation.) Why don’t miracles alone provide a firm foundation for faith?

    Brigham Young said: “Miracles, or these extraordinary manifestations of the power of God, are not for the unbeliever; they are to console the Saints, and to strengthen and confirm the faith of those who love, fear, and serve God” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1941], 341).

  • Why are the miracles that Jesus performed during his mortal life important to you? Why is it important to know that he continues to perform miracles today? What are some examples of modern miracles?

Conclusion

Testify that the Savior can heal both spiritual and physical infirmities. Express your gratitude for all that he has done for us. If appropriate, you may want to tell about a miracle that has blessed your life.

Ask class members to silently ponder the miracles they have experienced. Encourage them to recognize and give thanks for miracles in their lives.

Additional Teaching Ideas

The following material supplements the suggested lesson outline. You may want to use one or both of these ideas as part of the lesson.

1. Old Testament miracles

Explain that miracles were not new to the Jews. Miracles had been performed previously by Old Testament prophets whom the Jews honored. Briefly review the following examples:

  1. The prophet Elijah raises a boy from the dead (1 Kings 17:17–24).

  2. The prophet Elisha feeds a multitude with a small amount of food (2 Kings 4:42–44).

  3. The prophet Elisha heals Naaman, a leper (2 Kings 5:1–19).

  • By what power did these prophets perform miracles? (The priesthood, the divine power given to them by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.)

2. “They that are whole have no need of the physician” (Mark 2:17)

  • How did the scribes and Pharisees react when they saw Jesus eating with people they considered sinners? (See Mark 2:15–16.) What did Jesus tell them? (See Mark 2:17.) What does this mean? In what ways do we all “have … need of the physician”?