Never Give Up! Devotion-in-Motion

Theme: Persistence

“Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” the blind beggar yelled!  Bartimaeus had heard that Jesus was approaching Jericho.

“Be quiet!” people replied back to him.

But Bartimaeus would not give up!  He wanted to be sure Jesus heard him so he shouted even louder:  “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and told the people to bring the blind man to Him.  Jesus asked Bartimaeus: “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man responded, “I want to see!”

Jesus said, “All right, it’s done!  Your faith has healed you.”

Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God.

Discussion Questions:

1.  In Barry Bonds baseball career, he had 1,539 strikeouts and 762 home runs.  How did he get so many home runs? (He never gave up. He kept trying and hung in there. He was persistent even if their were obstacles or he was discouraged.)

2.  What are situations in your life where you need  to be persistent and not give up?

3.  What opposition did Bartimaeus face and how was he persistent in handling it? (People told him to stop yelling but he was determined and kept on.)

Action Step:  Think of a situation you’re in where you are tempted to quit.  Write on a sheet of paper, “I am never going to give up.”  Sign your name, date it, and display in a prominent place.

Bible Verse:  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV).

Suggested Songs:  “Never Gonna Quit” (Lighthouse album); “Bartimaeus” (Miracle Mud album)