8/13/2019 How to Overcome Obstacles

1/3

CFC SINGLES FOR FAMILY AND LIFECHAPTER ASSEMBLYHOW TO OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVESAt the end of the session, the participants will be able to:1. Relate themselves to the story of the blind man, Bartimaeus2. Identify persons or things that are hindering them from coming to Jesus3. Realize the proper attitude when we come to Jesus

METHODOLOGYTalk 45 minutes

SPEAKERS PROFILE A CFC SFL Household Servant living out the principles mentioned in this talk

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

They came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizablecrowd, Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside begging.

On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, Jesus, son ofDavid, have pity on me. And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he keptcalling out all the more, Son of David, have pity on me. Jesus stopped and said, callhim. So they called the blind man, saying to him, Take courage; get up, he is calling

you. He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him inreply, What do you want me to do for you? The blind man replied to him, Master, I

want to see. Jesus told him, Go your way; your faith has saved you. Immediately hereceived his sight and followed him on the way. - Mark 10:46-52

The story of Bartimaeus is our story. In the Hebrew language, bar means son of. That iswhy the statement, Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus is a redundant statement. So Bartimaeusis not really not the name of a character in the story. Bartimaeus could be us and his story

is ours.

Activity: The speaker asks the participants to close their eyes. They let them imagine the feeling of being blind - on not having tosee. He/she asks them, what would they feel not seeing their parents, siblings or even friends? How about not seeing thebeauty of Gods creation? After sometime of reflection, he/she asks them to open their eyes. A few people can share theirexperience or feelings (e.g. hopelessness, loneliness, etc.).

8/13/2019 How to Overcome Obstacles

2/3

This is the same as what Bartimaeus experienced. He was blind. And because of that, hecannot perform important tasks. He cannot work. He was sitting on the side of the roadbegging for money from people passing. He really has a deep obstacle in his life.

Sometimes, or maybe all our lives, we have or had obstacles. Obstacles that hinder us from

truly experiencing the fullness that life can give. These obstacles restrain us from our fullpotential in our relationships, work and our whole being.

Bartimaeus was blessed because, at the right moment and in the right place, Jesus walkedin his life. Jesus restored his sight but not only that, He restored his life. We too are likeBartimaeus. Like him, we were hopeless because of a huge obstacle in our life until Jesuscame and performed His miracle.

II. Overcoming our Obstacles

In this gospel story, the blind man, Bartimaeus, was healed because of his faith. Let us take

the same steps he took so that we can experience the same power so we can overcomehurdles in our lives. What lessons can we get Bartimaeus story?

1. Come to Christ no matter WHO tries to stop you.

And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he kept calling out all the more,Son of David, have pity on me. - (Mark 10:48)

Here is a person who ignores everybody, and throws away everything he has tomeet Jesus face to face. Moreover, he is never the same again because of it. IfBartimaeus had listened to those around him and had not cried out to Jesus, hewould have died a poor blind beggar. Jesus was walking through Jericho for the lasttime and no one knew that at the time. Bartimaeus certainly did not, but he knewthat Jesus could heal him and he did not let anything or anyone get in the way ofthat. Those standing around were telling him to be quiet. Do nt you know he wasglad he did not listen to them? Dont let your friends or anyone else stop you frommaking a total commitment to Christ.

2. Come to Christ no matter WHAT tries to stop you.

He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. - Mark 10:50

This brings us to another very important point in this story. Notice that Bartimaeusthrew his cloak aside when he went to Jesus. To us today, that does not seem likemuch, but that cloak, which is an outer coat or robe, may have been the only thingof value Bartimaeus owned.

Poor people used their cloaks as covering when they slept and as shade during theday. It kept them warm at night and cool during the day. When he threw it aside togo to Jesus, he was saying, "I m not letting anything in this world come between

8/13/2019 How to Overcome Obstacles

3/3

Jesus and me." Imagine throwing everything of value you own aside - your car, yourstereo, or computer - to get closer to Jesus. And is n t it true that often, it is thosevery things, those material possessions we think so highly of, that come between usand God? Remember, Jesus said we cannot love both God and money. (Matthew6:24) James says that "friendship with the world is hatred toward God." (James 4:4)

Bartimaeus did not want that robe to slow him down as he raced to his healer. Let usthrow aside anything that comes between us and Him - any sin, any relationship, orany material possession.

3. Come to Christ and tell Him what you WANT .The blind man replied to him, Master, I want to see. Mark 10:51

Notice that when he came to Jesus, Jesus asked Bartimaeus what seems like a sillyquestion, "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus knew exactly what he needed.However, God wants us to tell him our needs. He wants us to confess that we needhim to help us. Do not short-change yourself in your prayers. What is it you really

need? Be honest with God and confess to him that you cannot receive it without him.

4. Come to Christ and follow Him WHEREVER He goes.

Jesus told him, Go your way; your faith has saved you. Immediately he received hissight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:52

Finally, when Bartimaeus was healed, he "followed Jesus along the road." When wereceive forgiveness from sins, we need to respond by following him. If you havereceived that wonderful gift of salvation from God, your response should be that nowyou follow him. And do not forget, Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem towards a cross.

III. Conclusion

In summary:1. Let us not allow other people to keep us from coming to Christ.2. Let us not allow other things to keep us from coming to Christ.3. Tell God what you need from him; confess that you desperately need him to help you

and even, to save you.4. Then, follow Jesus, which means doing what He wants you to do and going where He

wants you to go.

ACTIVITY1. The speaker may end the talk by leading the group into prayer and/or a reflection song.

a. What things hinder you from coming to the Lord?b. What are your current prayers to the Lord?

2. After the prayer, he can ask 2-3 persons to share what struck them in the talk.