For adult study: "Man with a Withered Hand"
The story summary and questions were written in a way that makes it possible to use a New Testament reference in place of the Urantia reference. A selected chapter from a 1932 book, Treasure-House of the Living Religions, supports a spiritual theme that is found within the story. Children will use a one page handout that includes a coloring picture.Paper 148:7
The Urantia Book
Stretch out your hand
Students may read Paper 148:7
One Sabbath day, the Pharisees watched closely to see if Jesus would heal a man in the synagogue who had a withered hand. Jesus knew his enemies wanted to accuse him of wrongdoing. So, he asked if it was lawful to rescue a sheep that had fallen into a pit on the Sabbath. Then he proclaimed, “It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” He told the man to stretch out his hand. The man did so and was healed. At this, the Pharisees went away and plotted against Jesus.
Discussion Questions
Why would Jesus get into trouble if he healed someone on the Sabbath? It is right to follow laws, but we should also try to be responsive and good like God. We believe that God is always good. How can we be more responsive to those in need?
Procedure for using the PDF handouts with children
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Additional reading:
Read the first three paragraphs in the section titled "The Goodness of God."
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Re: Doing good
141:3.6 ... He not only meant well, but he went about actually doing good.
161:2.9 ... He goes about doing good, for God seems to be in him. ...
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New Testament reference
Not listed
The Revised Common Lectionary
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Chapter 3—The Divine Goodness and Wonder—p.11
Truly, thy Lord is full of goodness towards men. (Islam)
From the Wise Lord's most beneficent spirit has sprung
All good in the words pronounced by the tongue,
And the works wrought by the hands.
The Wise One Himself is the Father of all rectitude. (Zoroastrianism)
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