Who Touched Me?#1 Series

WHO TOUCHED ME? (Part one)

This is part one of a two part lesson.

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com

I. INTRODUCTION:

A. DEFINE TOUCH:

To come into contact with ...

To handle gently with love and appreciation ...

To lay hands upon ...

To leave a mark or impression ...

Mental or moral sensitiveness or responsiveness ...

To stay in communication with ...

B. Once when I was a child we lived in Indiana, a big storm had killed a lady in Kocomo and was headed our way.

I was so afraid, I prayed for Dad to get home soon.

The bushes were bending in the wind, but I saw Dad’s 1961 red Ford pull in the drive way. I was so glad.

I was waiting at the door when Dad came running in, I felt so safe when Dad put his arms around me and held me near.

Now, I understand Dad could not have stopped the storm, but as a little boy, I felt safe settled in my Dad’s arms.

I would like to have his arms around me today and make me feel the same way?

TEXT:

Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it

were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

C. WE HAVE ALLOWED THE WORLD AND PEOPLE DOING WRONG TO DICTATE TO THE CHURCH AND THE FAMILY ABOUT TOUCH.

Yes, we have to guard and set safe guards but we can not allow fear to stop us from touching those that have needs.

There are appropriate, good healthy ways to touch for the cross of Jesus.

D. YES, TOUCH CAN BE A DANGEROUS TRAP --- BEWARE, BE WISE. BUT DO NOT ALLOW THE CHURCH TO BECOME A TOUCH-ME-NOT PLACE.

There are critical needs, Jesus touched people, Jesus taught his disciples to touch people.

II. THE SEVEN TOUCH RULE!

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Mark 10:13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

A. I read once that there was a Seven Touch Rule to do with church growth. If a church has a visitor to come join in the service, if that person returns to

church there is a seven touch rule.

That visitor needs to be touched seven times, one time by seven different people. If the visitor is touched seven times they are much more likely to

return to that church.

This touch must be more than mechanical and ritual, it must be personal and inclusive.

B. A BEHAVIORAL PROBLEM CHANGES WITH SOME SPECIAL ATTENTION AND EFFORT.

I taught school 6 years.

I would see my next year students in the class load beneath our grade. I had this one boy I had watched come often to the office.

I watched him grow for several years, and now he was my student.

To be honest I probably dreaded this young boy coming to my classroom.

I was familiar with his family. There was alcohol abuse in the parents and there were many kids in the family.

When the boy first walked into my classroom I grew a determination that some way I was going to TOUCH him in a positive way.

He was smart but behind in his class skills.

I would have him come in the room early and clean the chalk board.

While the others were in PE he would volunteer to help me. I would spend some individual time with him in the class room. I would have some of the other students work with him. He needed to be assimilated and have a feeling he belonged WITH US.

After a few weeks the boy and I made a connection, and he saw me as more than a teacher, he saw me as a friend. His behavior patterns slowly started changing and he started applying himself more.

All he needed was a touch from the heart.

C. I really believe that many behavioral problems could be solved with a touch of kindness and attention.

Parents are so busy! Teachers have such a heavy load!

Other children can be cruel and mean. We need a special touch from God’s hearts to our hands! And our hands to others’ hearts.

D. THERE MAY BE SOMETHING WE NEED TO PAY:

PAY ATTENTION --- GIVE MORE EARNEST HEED!

III. IT TAKES GREAT DETERMINATION AND EFFORT TO CLAIM YOUR TOUCH! I TOUCHED HIM, BUT I NEVER TOUCHED HIM?