“My Name is Future”

1. By Emily Frady “My Name is Future”

2. LIFE IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT HOPE FOR A FUTURE. • “arise,” (Mark 5:41) • “something should be given her to eat” (Mark 5:43) • This daughter’s story re-minds us that we too can find healing and hope for a future. “My Name is Future”

3. “My Name is Future” seeking a future Key Verse: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Key Thought: Hope for any future begins in seeking the Lord and establishing a personal relationship with Him.

4. Hope for a future • Where was this hope? A12-year-old girl’s bright future dimmed • Discovering or recovering hope • The first step in discovering or recovering hope for • any future involves • seeking Jesus, the • source of hope. seeking a future

5. HE KNOWS MY NAME Introduction: Read Matthew 6:25-34; John 10:10; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56; Matthew 9:18-26. Exploration: From Matthew 6:25-33 list some of “these things” (v. 33) that will be given to us if we seek the kingdom of God first.

6. HE KNOWS MY NAME Why is it more difficult for us to trust rather than place these things in God’s hands, when He has promised to provide what we need (Matthew 7:11)? (Mark 5:22) Have you humbled yourself, giving up the fight of handling things yourself? Have you placed your future at the feet of the source of hope?

7. HE KNOWS MY NAME Interaction: How can we lead others to place their futures at the feet of Jesus, whether for their salvation or concerning their circumstances? Reflection: Reflect upon Jesus as Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. We need not worry about the future because, as one popular song suggests, “He’s already there.”

8. “My Name is Future” All for his Glory Key Verse: “I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:6-7). Key Thought: When our plans get interrupted, or we can’t make sense of our situation, we can trust God’s timing and purposes. Remembering He created us for His glory, we realize He may receive greater glory through these circumstances.

9. Jairus’ request • Jairus’ emotions • Jairus discovers Jesus’ great power • Jairus sees a future for his daughter • Dead in our sins, we, • too, can be raised to new life and experience a future • with Jesus Christ. All for his Glory

10. HE KNOWS MY NAME Introduction: Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56; Matthew 9:18-26; Isaiah 43:6-7; Matthew 28:16-20. Exploration: Just as God used Jairus’ daughter to bring glory to His name, who else does He say He created for His glory in Isaiah 43:6-7?

11. HE KNOWS MY NAME (Matthew 28:16-20) “The Great Commission” Do you believe this is a command for every Christian? Why is it so important for you to share the hope in Jesus? Ironically, the woman with the issue of blood had suffered for 12 years, the same age as Jairus’ daughter. Do you think this was significant in showing Jesus’ character and power? How?

12. HE KNOWS MY NAME Interaction: How should our character as individuals and as a church model Jesus in this instance? Reflection: Give praise to Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There). The Lord was there for Jairus and the woman who touched His garment. He is there for you.

13. “My Name is Future” hope intercedes Key Verse: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Key Thought: We can know hope even in despair, recognizing that God’s grace and supernatural power transcends our human sight and reasoning.

14. Jesus remained calm • Jesus responded • Jesus gave hope • “But God,” in His marvelous grace, saw me not dead • but sleeping, and chose • for me a future full of life. hope intercedes

15. HE KNOWS MY NAME Introduction: Read Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56; Matthew 9:18-26; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:28. Exploration: Romans 8:28 talks about all things working together for good. Does this mean that things will always seem good to us if they are working together for God’s good? Explain.

16. HE KNOWS MY NAME To whom is this promise given? How do we show that we love the Lord? (Jeremiah 29:11, 12-13) What do these verses express that we must do to find treasure in our future?

17. HE KNOWS MY NAME Interaction: What types of circumstances could lead someone to a place of despair in which this person becomes “lifeless?” How can we be the face of Jesus to those in these circumstances and practically help them discover a life in Him? Reflection: Think on this name for Christ: Resurrection and the Life. If, like me, you have experienced a state of lifelessness, take a few moments to meditate on what God has brought you through and how He chose to do so. Thank Him for His grace that transcended the natural and gave you new life.

18. “My Name is Future” Arise and Eat Key Verse: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14). Key Thought: We find initial healing as we experience new life through salvation, but greater growth and healing come as we daily feast on His Word.

19. Jesus’ commands: • Essential in the daughter’s healing process • Essential in our discernment • Essential in us knowing hope, healing and a future • Jairus’ daughter’s story demonstrates to us that Jesus’ power through resurrection and His Word is the only way we can know hope, healing and a future. hope intercedes

20. HE KNOWS MY NAME Introduction: Read Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56; Matthew 9:18-26; Hebrews 5:12-14; Psalm 119:105. Exploration: In Psalm 119:105, how important did the writer regard God’s Word in his walk with the Lord?

21. HE KNOWS MY NAME Is it necessary for us to hold such importance and high regard for God’s Word in order to grow in Him and live an abundant Christian life? If so, what specifically, would that look like in your life? Reread Hebrews 5:12-14. Who can feast on the meat of the Word? How do we reach this point and obtain this strong meat?

22. HE KNOWS MY NAME Interaction: In Hebrews 5:12, we read that the role of teaching God’s Word belongs to those who are feasting on the “meat.” Why do you think it is important to be at this point before taking on the role of teaching God’s Word? Should new Christians be allowed to teach in the church?

23. HE KNOWS MY NAME Reflection: Yeshua (Jesus), the Son of God’s earthly name, means “Jehovah is Salvation.” If you have not accepted Jesus, know that He is salvation—the only way you can be healed from your sins. You, too, can respond to His call and “arise” to new life, assured He will provide the necessary spiritual food to live that life for Him. Just humble yourself, ask and repent from your own way of life. If you have accepted Him, thank Him for not leaving you dead in your sins, for healing you and giving you a future with a hope.