Bible lessons for persons with cognitive disabilities
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Psalms 23 (© Jeff McNair)
The 23rd Psalm is one that people go to in times of trouble. If you attend a funeral it is there as an encouragement..."even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death." Or when people are afraid or in trouble, they will remember and perhaps pray through the 23rd Psalm. With that in mind, and the fact that this past Sunday was a day of remembrance for the persecuted church, we studied the 23rd Psalm, by praying through it in reference to the persecuted church.
We began by singing Sit Stand, Walk together. I then continued by telling my group that we were all going to do a "sit" together today. I shared about people who are persecuted for their faith. They didn't understand the term "persecuted" so I spoke of being beat up, or punished, or put in jail. Actually, there are several people who work with some of our folks who have told me that they were not permitted to move up in their jobs unless they denied their Christian faith and became Moslems. That is also a form of persecution. Anyway, once that notion is clear, move to the Psalm. I read it aloud, and had class members either read along, or recite the passage with me as I read it. Many people in the group know parts or all of the Psalm by heart. I then explained that we were going to pray for the persecuted church in groups (we sit around round tables, about 8 per table in our setting). I gave them something to pray for and then they prayed for that aspect for 3-5 minutes. I then moved on to the next section, and so on. I must say that the strategy was very well received. So, it went like this...
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. Pray that God will be a shepherd to those who are being persecuted, and that he will supply all of their needs.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. Pray that God will give those who are persecuted times of rest, and that if they are struggling that God will restore their souls. May they be able to see the beauty around them.
He leads me in the path of righteousness for His name sake. Pray that those who are under stress because they are being persecuted will do what is right and represent God's name well.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil. For you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me. Pray that God will give the people being persecuted boldness to speak up for God without fear. Pray that God will comfort them in the middle of their fears. Pray that they will feel God with them.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows. Pray that God will give those who are being persecuted overflowing blessings that can bee seen by the enemies, those who are doing the bad things to them.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life. Pray that the witness of those being persecuted will be that of goodness and mercy that will follow them like the wake after a boat. Pray that God will show goodness and mercy to them and to those who persecute them.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Pray that God will give those being persecuted confidence and peace about their future. They will dwell with God forever and will be blessed for taking a stand for God.
I ended by sharing the verse Luke 12:48 which in part says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required." This verse always rings like a warning in my mind. Typically we think about this with money or health or possessions. But we should also think of the verse as it relates to freedom. We have been given much freedom. Freedom to worship, pray, speak openly about our faith and so on. How will you use the great freedom you have been given this week, because, to whom much is given, much is expected.
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© Jeff McNair