Kids Lesson | I Can Help Others: August 23, 2020
Hi Imago Dei families! We are taking a break from our Gospel Project curriculum to address some of the issues surrounding the pandemic.
Worship Links:
Introduce the Story
Read aloud Jesus’ words from John 15:12:
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Ask your children what Jesus tells us to do in this verse. Once they’ve had the chance to answer, share with them that Jesus wants us to love each other just as He loves us. Sometimes that’s easy to do, and sometimes it can be hard to do. One way we can love others is by helping them. Explain that this Bible story is about four friends who showed love to their friend by helping him in a very important way.
Bible Passage: Mark 2:1-12
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Watch the Lesson: Teacher Juwan
Questions:
Who was the most loving in this story?After the children share their answer, point out that Jesus is the most loving if they don’t mention it. He healed the man’s heart as well as his body.
How did the friends show they loved the paralyzed man?
Who did not show love in this story?
What do you think the man’s life was like after his friends took him to Jesus?
How do you think he felt about his friends after he was healed?
Apply the Story:
Think about how much Jesus loves you. He loves you when you are having happy days and when you are experiencing difficulties. He wants to fill you up with His love. Now let’s think about ways we can obey Jesus’ command and love others as He loves us, even with social distancing in place.
Ideas for Helping Others
Share these ideas of ways to safely help others during COVID:
Use technology to check on family or neighbors
Play a game with a friend or relative online
Make and send notes or cards to healthcare workers
Make encouraging signs to post on windows or fences
Pray for others
Paint rocks to leave around your neighborhood with encouraging notes
Draw encouraging notes on your sidewalk with chalk
Memory verse for the week:
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12
Activity Pages: Download