Session 6: The City of Healing

Materials:
Hymnals or copies of the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Hymnals or copies of the hymn “For the Healing of the Nations”
Olive oil for anointing
Copies of the anointing service plan

For Experiential  Options:
Laptops with internet connections
Olive dip with crackers

Opening Statement (Leader to summarize where indicated during session or to copy for group):
            There’s a world of difference between standing on the lip of Ground Zero in New York City and walking around a place like Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Both have been sites of tremendous trauma, suffering, and loss of life. On the one hand, far more lives were lost at the three-day battle of Gettysburg than died because of the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  We could even say that Gettysburg had a greater effect on the lives we live today than the events of 9/11. But 2001 is part of our shared memory. The Civil War is now a distant tragedy, and most of us have difficulty hearing its faint echoes.
            It is self-centered of United States citizens to think of 9/11as the greatest tragedy of modern times.  Our sisters and brothers around the world have suffered and continue to suffer far more in Rwanda, Kosovo, Darfur, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, and many more places than suffer in the United States because of 9/11. Most of these places continue to see thousands of people die continually. So it is important to turn to the book of the Bible filled with laments, both communal and personal, and cry to God for healing.
            We all are broken.  In some of us, the wounds are clearly visible.  For others the hurt is hidden.  Psalm 121:1 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come?”  The answer quickly follows, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” That sounds good as far as it goes, but healing comes in God’s time, in God’s way -- and sometimes God works through us to heal. 
            I come from a faith tradition that practices anointing for healing, basing the practice on James 5:13-16.  The community of faith is always called to be part of the healing process.  Indeed, I have seen miraculous cures during my years of ministry. But we sometimes forget that healing may be different than a cure.  It all comes down to recognizing that God has the freedom to choose.  We cannot turn God on and off like a faucet.
            When I anoint people before praying for healing, I often read from Lamentations 3:19-24, an amazing portion of that book written in the wake of the destruction of the temple and the nation of Israel in 586 BC.  In chapter three the writer, despite having expressed anguish, still insists that God is faithful. 
            Come, God’s people, be anointed.  Seek God’s healing.           

Scripture Reading: James 5:13-16; Lamentations 3:19-24

Focus Statement: Great is God’s faithfulness.

Gathering
            Greet one another in the name of Jesus Christ.  In the first session each person introduced himself or herself.  At this session begin by having each person introduce the person to the left. 
            Sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” or “For the Healing of the Nations.”  Work together on a definition of a healing.  What does healing look like?  How does one know if healing takes place?  Do any members of the group work in healing professions?  If so, ask these individuals to describe what they do over the course of an average day.  Discuss: Is there a difference between physical and spiritual healing?  Do the two always go together?
           Summarize here any information from the Opening Statement that seems to fit with the discussion so far.  Mention that there will be an opportunity later in the session  to be anointed and receive prayers for healing, for any who choose to take part.

Marking the Milestones (Daily Meditations from The Upper Room)
            As always, remember that these questions and comments are only advisory.  It is quite likely that the group will be ready, after weeks together, to discuss the meditations without prompts or guiding questions.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Fear God
For some people the greatest source of harm has been the church or a mistaken understanding of God they have been led to believe.  The writer talks of her frustration with a different, less loving conception of God. She suggests that to fear the Lord is to have awe and reverence.  Have you ever experienced pain and suffering in your relationship to the church or because of how you understood God?  What healing can we offer people who have been hurt within the church?  How is our understanding of God formed?  What place does the church have in this?  Can we live in love and awe?

Thursday, March 6, 2008
When You Can’t Be There
The writer expresses her frustration that her work prevents her from being as much of a caregiver as she’d like, but then she realizes that she is a part of a team of healers and that there are many ways we can help each other.  What encourages us to operate independently?  When have you found yourself sinking and realized that others were willing to help?  How is your church organized for the purpose of caregiving?  Do you have spiritual leaders, elders, deacons, an informal network, or no help at all?  Discuss ways your small group can help the healers, working as a team. 

Friday, March 7, 2008
Peace
Everyone has something they fear.  This writer tells how he came to grips with onrushing storms (something worth being afraid of) but how he is unable to extend his peace to his dog.  Are you able to reach out to others around you when you are afraid?  What peace does Christ bring us in times of fear?  Are people afraid to admit their fears?  How can we claim the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and work together to heal fears?

Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Way of Christ
This day’s writer shows courage in admitting that he has a medical condition that gives rise to fear and discrimination.  In Jesus’ day, those who were sick were often isolated from family and friends. But Jesus did not fear touching the lepers.  The healing that Jesus brought went beyond physical cures to restore relationships with friends, family, and church.  The writer mentions the great changes in his nation of South Africa, and for this reason he has hope that people will adopt the way of Christ.  Are you willing to speak out when people speak with ignorance or with malice against those with AIDS or who are HIV positive?  Will you commit yourselves and individuals and a group to prayer, education, and service?  Some of the most important moments in the AIDS saga came when individuals showed they were not afraid to touch.  What can and will you do to erase the fears and misconceptions about AIDS?

Sunday, March 9, 2008
Choices
How do you make choices?  Do you listen to others, study the issue, go by your feelings?  Are your choices the same as your family or others in your area?  The writer talks about a capricious method of choosing direction for a hike but suggests that choosing the way of Christ can be difficult.  Think about the scripture text taken from the account of Jesus’ praying in Gethsemane.  Saying that we choose the will of God may be easy.  But how do we know when a choice is God’s will?

Monday, March 10, 2008
Press Forward
We all are at different stages in our spiritual journeys.  Some of us find it very difficult to change troublesome attitudes, habits, and lifestyles.  How is it possible for believers to remain yoked together for the work of the Lord even though they may be at different stages in their understanding of God?  On what topics or issues must Christians be in accord?  Where can we disagree?  What do you think this author means by the phrase “a time of refreshing”?  Do you feel you are pressing forward, standing still, or going backward?

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Fast Word
Once again an author goes beyond a ritual to discern the meaning beneath.  In this case, the writer discovers it is not enough to fast and break a fast; we must ask how this discipline can bear fruit in the world.  The Upper Room is one example of a shared ministry.  Gifting copies enables others to share in the journey.  Consider ways your group can provide tangible help for others in their faith journey.  Have you fasted before?  What benefits have you observed?  Is fasting a regular part of your Lenten observance?  What form does it take?

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Ultimate Map
It is easy to say the Bible is the word of God, but what does that mean?  Where is the operator’s manual?  How do you get the Bible to “work?”  Is interpretation of the Bible an individual or group activity?  How do you take apart and interpret a passage of scripture?  What part does a devotional guide play in the process of interpretation?  Talk about ways your interpretation of scripture may have changed over the years.

Reflections

           Why do some people fast while others don’t?

           How can the world benefit from my attention to my spiritual state?

           Have I made remarks that perpetuate stereotypes?

           How patient am I with others?  How patient are others with me?

Connections
           Gather and invite group members to name areas of their lives where healing may be needed.  Tell them that after the hymn there will be an invitation to be prayed for and that all are welcome but none should feel that participation is required.  (Be careful to avoid making anyone feel pressured to participate.) Sing “Come, God’s People, Be Anointed” (to the tune Hyfrydol).

Come God’s people, be anointed, Claim God’s healing balm at last.
Set aside your pride and passion, Christ has fully paid the cost.
All that’s fleeting, all that’s passing, has its day, then fades away,
But your healing is forever, lasting past Earth’s final day.

Come God’s people, claim God’s pleasure. Joys await all those who heed --
Nothing for the self-sufficient, everything to those in need.
Come now forward, and if limping, gladly lean so burdens bear,
Small and great, all harms God healing, if we have a tear to share.

Go, God’s people, forth with treasure, not with gold or silver weighed.
With the lamp that lights dark places, with the truth that can’t be swayed.
From the manger comes the Healer, who upon the cross in scorn
Bore our wounds and brought us wholeness, calling us to life reborn.

A Basic Service of Anointing

            (Share a time of discussion and prayer as outlined above.  At the appropriate moment begin the service by saying:)
            In a moment we will share in the ordinance of anointing.  I will read aloud from scripture.  Then I will anoint our brother/sister with oil for the forgiveness of sins,  healing of body, and restoration of wholeness to the soul.  If anyone else would like to be anointed at this time, please tell me.
            Following the anointing, I will place my hands on our sister/brother's head.  I invite you all to either place your hands on mine or to place your hand on my shoulder or another's shoulders, so that we are gathered together in touch as well as in heart.  I will pray aloud. Then I will pause so anyone who wishes to pray aloud may do so.  If you wish to pray silently, please do so. If no one prays aloud, that is fine. Do not be afraid of silence.  Do not feel you must pray in order to fill the silence. When I feel that all have prayed aloud who would like to, I will conclude with a short prayer and the Lord's Prayer.  I invite you to join me in the Lord's Prayer.

(Read aloud Lamentations 3:19-24 and/or James 5: 13-16.)

            "The thought of my affliction and my homelessness is wormwood and gall!   My soul continually thinks of it and is bowed down within me.  But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him."   (Lamentations 3:19-24)
            "Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.  Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."                                                                                    (James 5:13-16)

            We are gathered together to anoint our (brother/sister) in the presence of God for healing. (If the person being prayed for has given permission, you many mention a specific reason for this anointing.  However, respecting privacy is important.)  We come boldly and with courage because Jesus commanded us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."  We come meekly with the fears of Jesus when he prayed, "Not my will, but thine."  Knowing that in the midst of a broken world God wills your wholeness in body, mind, and spirit, I now anoint you with oil --
            (There are a variety of ways to handle the oil.  It can be used directly from a bottle, or a small amount can be poured into your hand. The leader rouches drops of oil on a finger and anoints the forehead, tracing the shape of the cross three times, once with each petition below.)
            -- for the forgiveness of your sins, granting of peace to your soul, and restoration of wholeness to your body.
            (The leader will then lay hands on the head of the one being anointed.  Others present may lay their hands on the leader's hands or on a shoulder, until all are touching. The leader may pray extemporaneously.  After the leader prays, allow silence so that others may pray aloud or silently, as they choose.  Invite others who wish to be prayed for to indicate this and repeat the process for any who wish to be prayed for. After all have been prayed for, the leader closes with a brief spoken prayer.  End the service by praying the Lord's Prayer, inviting all to join in.

Going Forth
Sing: “Go, my Children, With My Blessing.”

Close with the following litany:

One: As God’s people we claim God’s healing.
All: We will live the promise in all we do and say.
One: We pray for the healing of the nations.
All: We pray for the healing of the least and the greatest.
One: Let your peace that passes understanding call us together.
All: Come soon, Lord Jesus. Even so, come. Amen.

            Pronounce words of blessing as you depart.

Experiential and Journaling options
            Research olive trees and olive oil on the internet.
            Serve an olive dip with crackers.
            Explore ways you might sponsor olive trees for people of different backgrounds in the Middle East.

For a Children’s Session:
            Materials:
            Olives, olive oil, croutons, bread cubes, oregano and basil.
            Bibles

            Talk about trips to the doctor, times of sickness, times of healing.  Discuss the sorts of prayers we offer in times of sickness.  Summarize information from the Opening Statement appropriate to the ages of the children.
           Read the story about Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).  Discuss how Jesus reached out to sick people.  Relate how sick people were kept away from family and friends in biblical times. Invite the children to think in silence about the following questions. Ask the questions one by one.
            Why do you suppose people tried to keep Bartimaeus from calling out to Jesus?
            Should we speak out if we’re sick or keep it to ourself?
            Who around us needs healing?

           As you talk with the children about sickness and healing, take time to learn about olives and olive oil as well.  Make your own croutons by baking cubes of bread, or use soft, unbaked squares of bread.  Lay out small cups of olive oil, sprinkling in oregano and basil.  Using toothpicks, dip the bread into oil and enjoy the taste of the olive oil.
            Conclude with prayers for healing.