Sometimes we lose our way as Christians and can get confused about what we’re really supposed to be doing. This has a lot to do with vision—specifically, God’s vision for our lives. It is easy for teenagers to find themselves wondering if this is what life’s all about—just going to church, or just going to youth group. Is there something more that they’re supposed to do? Is there something that Jesus wants them to see? John 9 is a beautiful passage about Jesus healing a man who was born blind and how it ruined his life—for good.
Lesson Objectives
WHAT: Jesus’ miraculous work created a measure of trouble for one young man as he was looked down upon by his friends, abandoned by his family, and kicked out of his religious community—all because his sight was restored.
WHY: A lot of things call out for our teenagers’ attention, but Jesus wants to remove those distractions so that he can ask our teenagers a life-changing question.
HOW: Students will examine Jesus’ miraculous healing of a blind man and the events that followed that healing, and they’ll consider if there are any noises or distractions in their lives keeping them from seeing Jesus clearly.
Primary Scripture: John 9:1-38
Secondary Scriptures: Mark 8:22-26
There’s a lot going on in this passage, let’s take a look at the three main parts of the story.
1. Jesus wants to heal our blindness
What’s your immediate reaction to the conversation between Jesus and his disciples in the first few verses of this passage—particularly if you’ve never heard or read this Scripture before?
What do you find most remarkable about verses 6-7?
If you had been born blind but experienced this kind of healing, what’s the first thing you would have wanted to see, and why?
Most of us haven’t been healed of physical blindness, so what might you compare this healing to? What analogy might be accurate and appropriate here?
What are some similarities between physical blindness and spiritual blindness? What are some differences?
This interaction with Jesus accomplished two things: God had compassion on a blind man so Jesus healed him, and God received glory for the miracle. Jesus didn’t perform miracles simply because he could—he was carrying out the will of God.
2. Vision can sometimes separate us from others
Look at the next section, verses 8-34. What’s your reaction to this man’s reception when he went back home?
When have you had to defend to people that you were truly different because of your faith in Jesus, that Jesus had truly changed your life? Or phrased another way, when have you struggled with your identity as a follower of Jesus?
Why were the Pharisees so upset with the circumstances of this healing?
What does verse 34 reveal about the Pharisees?
Is it possible that we sometimes act like these Pharisees? Why or why not?
This man’s day started out like any other, until he met Jesus. He was miraculously healed and headed home to celebrate his newfound vision. But things didn’t go like he planned. People doubted him, and he was eventually punished for something he didn’t even do. As Christ-followers we can sometimes feel like outsiders—Jesus has done something in us that others might not understand. But that doesn’t change the reality of what has happened in our lives.
3. Remember the most important thing to look at
In a beautiful display of love and compassion, Jesus returned to this young man after hearing about his trial before the Pharisees. Jesus found him alone and abandoned. The young man had vision but nothing to look at. It was at this moment that Jesus asked him the most important question, involving a name Jesus called himself: “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” This question remains so important for us today, because even though there is a lot going on in our lives, the one thing Jesus cares about is if we believe in him.
Look at the final section of this passage, verses 35-38. What is most surprising about Jesus’ interaction with this young man?
Have you experienced Jesus like this man did? Do you feel like Jesus has given you something to see? Tell us about that.
BGroup Questions
What is something that Jesus has asked you to see?
Are any noises or distractions in your life keeping you from seeing Jesus clearly? If so, what can you do to remove them?
The John 9 passage ends with the young man worshiping Jesus. How might this Scripture change or challenge our attitude about worship?
TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! “When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ ” (John 9:35).
**Leaders, leave 3-5 minutes for prayer at the end of your group time.
Youth Small Group Series
Have you ever wondered why Jesus asked questions? Didn’t he know “all things” anyway? Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus asking hundreds of questions—everything from “What is your name?” to “Who do you say that I am?” What if Jesus wasn’t asking questions just to get an answer? What if there was something greater at work?
This small group series for youth will engage in conversations about some of the questions Jesus asked. Teenagers will encounter Jesus’ desire to engage them on a truly relational level—a relationship based on dialogue and conversations.
