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The following is a prayer that was written to
be used in private or corporate worship by the Rev.
Rickie Steenstra, former Rector of Christ Episcopal Church
in Elizabeth City, NC.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the many
gifts you give us and the many tasks to which you
call us: Bless us as we seek to use these gifts for
the building of Benjamin House. Take what we offer
and multiply it, we beseech you, that your love for
the world may be proclaimed through all that we do,
all that we say, and all that we are. Above all, bless
the ministry of Benjamin House that it may be a beacon
of your hope and hospitality to all people. We ask
this through your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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The following is an adult
Bible study lesson that was prepared by the Rev. Rickie
Steenstra, former Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth
City, NC.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners
in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle
and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the
one who appointed him, just as Moses also ‘was
faithful in all God’s house.’ Yet Jesus’
is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder
of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For
every house is built by someone, but the builder of
all things is God.)”
- Have you ever watched a house being built? What
do you think is the most important part of building
something?
- The passage from Hebrews claims “the builder
of all things is God.” Do you agree with this
statement? If so, how do you think it applies in your
own life?
“One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and
teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come
from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem);
and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just
then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed.
They were trying to bring him in and lay him before
Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of
the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down
with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the
crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he
said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you…but
so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the
one who was paralyzed—‘I say to you, stand
up and take your bed and go to your home.’ Amazement
seized all of them, and they glorified God and were
filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange
things today.’”
- Read the story of Benjamin Hughes. Discuss the ways
in which his friends helped him. Do you think they
were as dedicated as the friends in the story from
the Gospel?
- The church teaches that Christ’s healing comes
to us in many ways. Can you think of ways in which
healing has come to Benjamin?
- Have you ever had the experience of helping a friend
in need? How did this affect your life?
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said
to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love
me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes,
Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to
him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time Jesus
said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love
me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know
that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend
my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon
son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt
because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you
love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you
know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus
said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
- In reflecting on this passage from John’s
Gospel, why do you think it is important for us to
take care of other people?
- How do you think Benjamin House will fulfill Jesus’
instructions to Peter?
- Can you identify ways in which you can help Benjamin
House in its ministry for people with special needs?
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The following is a Bible study lesson that was prepared
by the Director of Christian Education at
Christ Episcopal Church in Elizabeth City, NC.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, holy partners
in a heavenly calling, consider that Jesus, the apostle
and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the
one who appointed him, just as Moses also ‘was
faithful in all God’s house.’ Yet Jesus’
is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder
of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For
every house is built by someone, but the builder of
all things is God.)”
In Hebrews 3:1-4, we read that “a house has
more honor than the house itself.” Draw a picture
of your house.
- Who lives in your house (parents, siblings, pets)?
- What is special to you about your house (family
photos, a comfy couch, good smells from the kitchen)?
- Do you have a favorite place in your house (bedroom,
TV room)?
“One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and
teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come
from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem);
and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just
then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed.
They were trying to bring him in and lay him before
Jesus; but finding no way to bring him in because of
the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down
with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the
crowd in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he
said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven you…but
so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority
on earth to forgive sins’—he said to the
one who was paralyzed—‘I say to you, stand
up and take your bed and go to your home.’ Amazement
seized all of them, and they glorified God and were
filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange
things today.’”
- In the story from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus heals
someone who is paralyzed. Act out the story.
- Why do you think Jesus cares about people who have
special needs?
- Ask your teacher to tell you about the life of Benjamin
Hughes. What are Benjamin’s special needs?
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said
to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love
me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes,
Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to
him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time Jesus
said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love
me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know
that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend
my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon
son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt
because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you
love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you
know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus
said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
- Jesus tells Peter to “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus didn’t mean for Peter to go to a farm
and literally feed animals. What do you think he was
trying to say to Peter?
- Why is it important for Christians to take care
of people who need help?
- Discuss with your teacher how Benjamin House will
help people with special needs.
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