April 26 – May 2, 2008

JESUS HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED

In this lesson you will learn that there are many people all around you who brokenhearted - are brokenhearted and wounded. In their lives there is brokenness. There is not the fullness of joy, the completeness of peace, or the overflowing love in their lives that there should be.

I. Some of the reasons people are brokenhearted.

A. Rejection, abandonment, divorce.

B. Abuse, cruelty, and hurtful words.

C. Loss of job, relationship, or loved one.

II. Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted – Isaiah 61:1-3.

A. You don’t have to have brokenness all the days of your life. Sociological studies show that broken and hurting people hurt others. People who have been hurt in their heart are often angry, bitter, resentful, or close themselves in. Huge barriers are erected in their lives to keep people away so they won’t get hurt again.

B. Broken hearts cannot be stopped by an advancement of technology; a broken person needs heart surgery by the Great Physician. Only Jesus can heal the brokenhearted. He is the healer of both the physical part of man, and the inward part of man – in your spirit, heart, and emotions. He heals from the inside out.

C. Isaiah 61:1-3 – “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted…to comfort all who mourn…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

III. Ministry to the brokenhearted – Luke 4:16-21.

A. God wants to heal you of a broken heart so you can minster to others who are brokenhearted.

B. Verse 18 – “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.” If your brokenness is a result of your own sin, you need to repent. If your brokenness is a result of someone else striking out at you, you have to forgive them. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• Share a time in your life that you were brokenhearted.
• How did you get healed of your broken heart?
• Share how you have ministered to others who are brokenhearted.

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

There is a classic picture of Jesus standing at a cottage door knocking, but there is no door handle on the outside. Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart, and it is time to open your heart to the Lord so He can heal you.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Isaiah 61:1 – “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.”