EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – All Signs Point to Jesus – Session 6

4 days ago 8

Date: April 6, 2025

The Sign of His Light

The Point: Only through Jesus can we truly see.

Get Into the Study

Use the following information to introduce Question #1.

In February 2025, the Invictus Games, a nine-day “adaptive sports competition” for wounded, ill, and injured service members was held in Vancouver, Canada. More than 500 competitors gathered from twenty-five nations to compete in eleven sports. US Weekly notes that these competitions were created by British King Charles’ son, Prince Harry, in 2014, “following his own experience with combat and trauma during his ten years of military service.” This year was the first inclusion of six winter-specific adaptive sports.”

Carlos Valerio, a 48-year-old retired U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, participated in the 2025 Games. As both a biathlon and wheelchair basketball player, Valerio noted, “you see that there’s so much need for recovery… one of the best ways to do it is through sport.” Another Invictus athlete, currently a student at Yale, explained one of the Games’ “adaptive sports.” According to Jarek Neczypor, wheelchair rugby, “is fast moving, combines the action of basketball and soccer, and has complex strategy,” adding, “it’s one of the best sports I’ve ever played.” This year, the Yale athlete earned a bronze medal in wheelchair rugby.

More than 50,000 people gathered to support the competitors. While injuries and conditions vary among the athletes, guiding principles like, “anybody can play,” and, “the goal is to make it to the finish line,” give hope, encouragement, and a sense of opportunity to competitors and onlookers alike.

Say: “We are all inspired when we encounter bravery despite significant challenges.”

Proceed with asking Question #1.

Information for this post was gleaned from:

Get Into the Study (Option from Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video clip of someone overcoming a limitation. Then ask Question #1.

Live It Out

Share the following as you discuss the application ideas:

KSNT of Kansas reported in January that, “A handicapped Dover man was surprised when his cameras caught a neighbor shoveling snow from his walkway.” The amputee and his wife, who uses a walker, have trouble getting around in winter, and they were delighted when the security cameras caught his neighbor’s thoughtful actions.

Walter Turner, a disabled man who regularly visits the Cincinnati Public Library, pulled into the parking lot this January, only to find piles of snow covering the handicapped spaces near the entrance. “I have a bad leg and I have bad lungs;” the veteran said. With a walker and an oxygen tank, the complexity of getting inside, even without the snow, presents a challenge; facing piles of snow made his visit impossible. At the time of the article, discussions between the library, property manager, and city council, had not yet yielded a clear solution.

“It can be quite a challenge to even just get to the grocery store or… to get to work,” said Gregory Patton from Springfield, Missouri. Ultimately, property owners are responsible for clearing their own sidewalks, but community sidewalks and in-between places can present a problem for those with mobility limitations. From volunteer snow-shoveling programs, to community involvement, city leaders in Springfield, Missouri; Evanston, Illinois; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin are all currently considering what sort of programs will best help disabled residents.

Say: “In winter, able-bodied citizens face common difficulties like checking the weather, paying higher heating bills, and putting on enough layers. But those with additional challenges face even greater obstacles in winter.”

As you discuss the application ideas, consider how you can engage and support families or individuals who are disabled or have a handicap. Show the love of Jesus as your Savior did!

Information for this post was gleaned from:

Additional Questions

Ice Breaker

What’s the darkest place you’ve ever experienced?
How does God’s sovereignty impact our faith?
Who is an example of someone who does something significant despite what others would call a liability?
In what ways have you found Jesus to be your light?

John 9:1-5

Why do some people connect physical problems with sin or God’s judgment?
In what ways have you found Jesus to be your light?
How have you seen God glorified through your inabilities or weaknesses?
Where do you see evidence from our culture that we are walking in darkness?
How have you seen God use disabilities for a person’s good and His glory?

John 9:6-11

How has Jesus opened your eyes to see spiritual truth?
What are some ways Jesus has changed you to a degree that others have noticed?
In what ways are we sometimes spiritually blind and in need of healing?
When has Jesus opened your eyes in a way that helped you see things differently?

John 9:30-33

In what ways might we be vulnerable to false views of God if we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus?
What are some of the ways our culture views Jesus today?
What are some obstacles that prevent people from recognizing God’s work today?
What are some things that can make people blind to the truth about Jesus?
Why are we sometimes hesitant to ask God for things only He can do?