Lesson Continued...

This story is short enough that it does not need a summary. Simply read it from the Bible.

Here are some highlights, though:

• This occurred in Capernaum, which was a home-base for Jesus during his ministry. It is on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

• This story has many details in it that help us envision the setting:

  • The story happened in the home where Jesus was staying

  • The house was so full, no one could even get in the door

  • Four men were carrying this paralyzed man on a mat

  • They removed the roof and made an opening in the house

  • They used some method to lower the man in the house - use your imagination to figure out how they did that!

• These men truly demonstrated faith, because they went out of their way to get this man to Jesus. They just knew that Jesus was going to be able to do something about his situation.

• Jesus' first response to the man was not to heal him, but to forgive his sins. When the scribes accused him of blasphemy for that, Jesus performed the miracle to show that he had the authority both to heal and to forgive sins.

Questions

• Where did this story take place?

Where Jesus was living in Capernaum

• Why was the house so crowded?

Everyone heard Jesus was back and they wanted to come see him. He was preaching the word to them

• What did the man need from Jesus?

He needed to be healed, because he was paralyzed and couldn't walk

• Who brought the man to Jesus?

4 men were carrying him on a mat

• How did they get the man to Jesus, since the house was so crowded?

They took off the roof, made an opening, and lowered him down on the mat they were carrying him on

• How did they lower the man down from the roof to the ground floor?

We don't really know, so use your imagination!

• What did Jesus do first for the man?

He forgave his sins

• Who wasn't happy that Jesus claimed he could forgive sins?

The scribes, people in charge of copying the scriptures

• What did Jesus do next?

He healed the man and told him to pick up his mat, walk, and go home

• This man and his friends were determined to get to Jesus, because they had faith that Jesus was the only one who could really heal him. Jesus is the only one who can forgive our sins as well. But we don't have to fight through a crowd to get to Jesus. We can ask him to forgive our sins by praying to him. Have you prayed to him and asked him to forgive your sins?

Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart

Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. Ephesians 4:32

Directions

1. Let the kids have a pipe cleaner and create a mini person out of it as seen in the picture above.
2. Give the kids some white paper and have them color a plaid mat on it as shown above. 
3. Punch a hole in all 4 corners and tie some string so that the kids can lower the man through the roof!

Directions

1. Give the kids two different colors of construction paper and have them cut EVEN strips and weave them together to create a pattern as seen above (tapping as needed)

Directions

1. Play musical chairs!

Directions

1. Place balls on the floor. Then have a relay race to see which team can retrieve all the balls by picking them up with their chins and placing them in a bowl or bucket. First team done wins.