2026-04-19 Jesus Heals Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will discoverlearn that Jesus chosehas ordinary,the helpless sinnerspower to beheal Hisbodies friends.AND Heforgive didn'tsins, gobut lookingthat forforgiveness theof smartest,sin strongest,is orour mostgreatest popular people. Instead, He called fishermen: ordinary, smelly, dirty-handed workers who had nothing special to offer.need. Through the story of Jesus callinghealing Simonthe Peterparalyzed and his friendsman (LukeMark 5:2:1-11)12), children will learndiscover that Jesuswhile having a body that doesn't need our help, but He lovingly chooses to save weak and helpless sinners. Thiswork is a big problem, having a sinful heart is an even bigger problem. Jesus showed His power as God by forgiving the mostman's hopefulsins newsAND ofhealing all:his you don't have to be good enough, becauselegs. Jesus came forso peoplethat those who knowtrust theyin needHim Him.may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10b).

Main Ideas:

• Glory:Power: Jesus displays the greatness and worthpower of God by choosing and saving sinners.
• Choice: Jesus chooses sinners to be His friends, not because He needs them, but because they need Him.
• Power: Jesus is all-powerful.God. Nothing is too hard for Him.
• Hope:Compassion: Jesus has compassion on helpless sinners.
• Greatest Need: Jesus knows that our greatest need, forgiveness of sin, can only be met through trusting in Him.
• Abundant Life: Jesus came so that His people could have life and live it to savethe helpless sinners who know they cannot fix their own hearts.full.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

JohnLuke 8:31b5:32

"[Jesus said,] 'If"I youhave abidenot income myto word,call youthe arerighteous trulybut mysinners disciples.'to repentance."

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

• TwoA baseballpair batsof (or hockey sticks, badminton rackets,baby or anydoll sportsshoes equipment)with a knot tied tightly in the laces (too small to wear)
• A toy fishing netblanket or piecelarge of fabric mesh
• A piece of dark cloth or a dirty ragtowel (to represent athe fisherman's rough clothing)
• A picture or toy fish (or a real fish frommat the groceryparalyzed storeman inwas acarried bag for dramatic effect!)on)
• Darkened Heart visual (from previous lessons)

 

(HoldWalk upin carrying the twotiny baseballknotted batsshoes. orSit sports equipment. Choose one adult helperdown and onetry childvery hard to come tountie the front.knots, looking frustrated.)

Teacher: "OKOh everyone,no, oh no, oh no! I needhave youra help!TERRIBLE Let'sproblem! pretendCan we'reyou goingsee? toThe playlaces baseball.on my shoes are all knotted up! I can't untie them! Can someone please help me get tothese pickknots ONE more person for my team.out?"

(HandLet a batchild come try to untie the adultknot. andAfter a batmoment, tohold the child.shoes up.)

Teacher: "Now,Wait [adult'sa name]minute... iseven reallyif we untie the knots... look at these shoes! They're TINY! They're baby shoes! Could I ever fit my big andfeet stronginto andthese canlittle hit the ball super far. [Child's name] is still learning. If I want to WIN the game, who should I pick?"

(Wait for kids to answer. They'll likely say the adult.)

Teacher: "Right! If you want to win, you'd pick the strongest player. But how would it feel to be the one left out? To hear, 'Sorry, you're not good enough'?shoes?"

Interaction: "MakeEveryone alook sadat face.the 😢teacher's Havefeet. youNow everlook beenat leftthe out?tiny Thatshoes. doesn'tShake feelyour good.heads and say: 'NO WAY!'"

Teacher: "Now,So here'sI awas bigvery question:upset When Jesus picked His special friends, did He go looking forabout the strongest,knots smartest,in mostmy popularlaces, people?but that wasn't even my REAL problem! The real problem was that the shoes are way too small! Even if the knots were fixed, I still couldn't wear them!"

(Pause dramatically.)

Teacher: "Sometimes we do the same thing with problems in our life. We get very upset about a little problem, but we forget that we have a much BIGGER problem that we need help with."

Teacher: "Today we are going to read a true story from the Bible about a man who had a problem that he was very upset about. It was a much bigger problem than knotted shoe laces! But when this man met Jesus, he found out he had an even BIGGER problem! Let's find out fromwhat the Bible!happened."

Story Telling: Jesus CallsHeals Hisa FirstParalyzed DisciplesMan (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

• Fishing netBlanket or meshlarge fabric,towel dark(the cloth/dirtyman's rag, toy fishmat)
• Darkened Heart visual

 

Part 1: AThe FishermanMan NamedWho SimonCouldn't Walk (2 mins)

Teacher: "Last time we learned that Jesus iscalled theordinary best teacher ever. He uses simple storiesfishermen to teachfollow usHim. aboutJesus God.chooses helpless sinners to be His friends. Today we're going to meetsee someoneJesus nameddo Simonsomething Peter.even more amazing!"

(Hold up the dark cloth/dirty rag.)

Teacher: "SimonOur Peterstory comes from the book of Mark in the Bible. Jesus came to a town called Capernaum. When people heard that Jesus was athere, fisherman.SO Doesmany anyonepeople knowcrowded whatinto athe fishermanhouse does?"

to

(Waitsee forHim answers.)

that

Teacher:there "That'swas right!no Heroom catchesleft. fish!Not Buteven beingby athe fisherman wasn't a fancy job. Fishermen got up really early, worked really hard, and came home smelling like...door!"

Interaction: "Everyone holdsqueeze yourtogether nose!really Pee-yew!tight! 🐟Squish, Fishermensquish! wereThat's smelly!how crowded it was!"

Teacher: "FishermenNow, weren'tthere rich.was Theya weren'tman famous.in Nobodythis lookedtown who had a really big problem. He could not walk. His legs did not work at themall. andHe said,couldn't 'Wow,stand whatup. anHe importantcouldn't person!'run. TheyHe werecouldn't justeven ordinary,wiggle regularhis people.toes."

Interaction: "Try to stand perfectly still. Don't move your legs at all. Can you imagine never being able to walk or run or jump? That would be really hard!"

Teacher: "OneThis day,man had four really good friends. They believed that Jesus wascould byhelp their friend. So they carried him on a bigmat lakeall andthe a huge crowd cameway to hearthe Himhouse teach.where Jesus saw two boats by the shore. He got into Simon Peter's boat and asked Simon to push it out into the water a little bit. Then Jesus sat down and taught the crowd from the boat!was."

(Lay the blanket on the ground.)

Interaction:Teacher: "EveryoneBut pretendwhen you'rethey rowinggot athere, boat!there Row,were row,SO row!many people that they couldn't get through the door! What would you do?"

(Wait for kids to answer.)

 

Part 2: TheThrough Amazingthe Catch of FishRoof! (32 mins)

Teacher: "AfterThese Jesusfour finishedfriends teaching,had Hean saidamazing somethingidea. surprisingThey toclimbed Simonup Peter. He said: 'Push your boat out toon the deepROOF water and put your nets down to catch some fish.'"

Teacher: "Now, Simon Peter was tired. He had been fishing ALL night long and hadn't caught a single fish. Not even one tiny little fish!"

Interaction: "Hold up ZERO fingers. Zero fish! After working all night!"

Teacher: "But Simon Peter said something important. He said: 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because YOU say so, I will putof the nets down.'"

Teacher: "Did you hear that? Even though he was tired and hadn't caught anything, Simon obeyed Jesus. He trusted that Jesus knew something he didn't.house!"

Interaction: "Everyone pretend to throwclimb a bigladder! fishingClimb, net!climb, Heave...climb! ho!Up Splash!"

(Tossto the net/mesh fabric out dramatically.)roof!"

Teacher: "And guessthen whatthey happened?started Thedigging nets filled up with SO MANY FISH thatthrough the netsroof! startedThey tomade BREAK!a Therehole wereright soin manythe fishceiling! thatCan Simonyou hadimagine tositting call his friends Jamesinside and Johnsuddenly toseeing bringa anotherHOLE boat.appear Andabove BOTHyour boats were so full of fish they almost sank!head?"

Interaction: "WiggleLook likeup at the ceiling! Point up! 'There's a fish!HOLE Wigglein wigglethe wiggle! There are fish EVERYWHERE!roof!'"

Teacher: "WhoThen, madeslowly alland those fish swim intocarefully, the net?four Wasfriends itlowered Simonthe Peter'sman fishingon skills?his No!mat Itdown through the hole, right in front of Jesus!"

Interaction: "Pretend you're holding a rope and slowly lowering something down. Lower... lower... lower..."

Teacher: "Jesus saw this man coming down through the roof. And the Bible says something very special: Jesus saw their FAITH. He saw that they BELIEVED Jesus could help. Jesus was JESUS.pleased Jesusthat isthey God,trusted andHim Heso ismuch all-powerful.that Nothingthey iswould tooeven hardbreak foropen a roof to get to Him!"

 

Part 3: SimonThe Peter's ResponseSurprise (1.2.5 mins)

Teacher: "WhenNow, Simon Peter saw all those fish,what do you think hethe said:man 'Wow,wanted lookJesus howto greatdo? IWhat am!'?was his big problem?"

(Wait for kids to sayanswer: no."He can't walk!")

Teacher: "No!Right! SimonHe Petercouldn't fellwalk. downHe onwanted Jesus to fix his kneeslegs. inBut front of Jesus."

Interaction: "Everyone droplisten to what Jesus said first. Jesus looked at the man and said: 'Son, your kneessins likeare Simon Peter!forgiven.'"

Teacher: "AndWait... hewhat? said:The 'Goman awaycame frombecause me,his Lord.legs I am a sinful man!' Simon Peter wasn'didn't proud.work, Hebut knewJesus thattalked standingabout nexthis toSINS? Jesus,Why thewould perfectJesus Sondo of God, he was just a weak, helpless sinner.that?"

(Hold up the Darkened Heart visual.)

Teacher: "SimonBecause PeterJesus hadknew something very important. Not being able to walk is a darkenedreally heart,big justproblem. But having a sinful heart is an even BIGGER problem! Remember our tiny shoes? The knotted laces seemed like allthe ofbig us.problem, Hebut couldn'tthe fixreal itproblem bywas himself.that Hethe wasn'tshoes smartwere enough,too strongsmall. enough,The orman's goodlegs enoughseemed like his biggest problem, but his sinful heart was an even bigger problem!"

Interaction: "Point to fixyour hislegs. ownThat's a big problem. Now point to your heart. HeThat's knewan heeven neededBIGGER help.problem!"

Teacher: "AndSome whatpeople didin the room got very angry when Jesus saysaid tothis. thisThey smelly,thought: ordinary,'Who sinful fisherman? Diddoes Jesus say,think He is? Only God can forgive sins!'You're right,And goyou away'?"

know

(Waitwhat? forThey kidswere toright respond.)

about

Teacher:one "No!thing: only God CAN forgive sins. But they forgot something very important: Jesus said:IS 'Don't be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people!' Jesus was saying: 'Come with Me! I'm choosing YOU to be My friend!'God!"

 

Part 4: Why Did Jesus ChooseProves Sinners?He Is God (1.5 mins)

Teacher: "Jesus knew what they were thinking. So SimonHe Peter,asked James,them a question. He said: 'Which is easier to say: Your sins are forgiven, or Stand up and Johnwalk?'"

left

Teacher: everything"Then behind.Jesus Theirsaid: boats,'But theirso fish,that theiryou jobs.may Theyknow followedthat Jesus!I have power to forgive sins...' And He looked at the man and said: 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!'"

Interaction: "StandEveryone up!sit Nowon takethe afloor. bigNow, stepwhen forward,I likesay you're'GO,' followingjump Jesus!up Oneas step,fast twoas steps,you threecan! steps!"

Ready...

Teacher: "But wait. Why did Jesus choose these ordinary fishermen? Did Jesus NEED their help? Was His job too hard for Him to do alone?GO!"

(WaitLet forall the kids tojump answer. Shake your head.up.)

Teacher: "No!That's what happened! The man who could NEVER walk before stood right up! He picked up his mat and walked right out in front of everyone! His legs worked perfectly!"

Interaction: "March in place! Look at your legs! They WORK! The man could walk!"

Teacher: "Everyone who saw it was amazed. They said: 'We have never seen anything like this!' Jesus healed the man's legs, but even more importantly, Jesus forgave the man's sins. Jesus is GOD.God, Nothingand nothing is too hard for Him. He didn't need helpers. Jesus chose Simon Peter andhas the others,power notto becauseheal ofbodies whatAND theyto could do for HIM, but because of what HE could do for THEM."

Teacher: "Jesus was saying: 'I know you are weak. I know you are helpless. I know you can't fix yourheal sinful heart. That's exactly why I came! I love you, and I am able to save you!'"

Interaction: "Point to yourself. Jesus says: 'I came for YOU.' Point to your friend. 'And YOU.' Point to everyone. 'And ALL of us!'hearts."

Teacher: "Let's remember this with actions!"

• Teacher: "JesusThe doesn'man couldn't need...walk." (Kids flexsit musclesdown and shakestay heads.still.)
• Teacher: "...strongHis helpers!friends had faith." (Kids pretend to climb and lower a rope.)
• Teacher: "Jesus doesn'tforgave need...his sins FIRST." (Kids point to their heads and shake heads.hearts.) "...smart helpers!"
• Teacher: "Then Jesus CHOOSES...healed his legs!" (Kids pointjump toup themselves.and march.) "...helpless sinners!"
• Teacher: "Because HE...Jesus is GOD!" (Kids point up to heaven.) "...can save us!"

Teacher: "One more time, louder!"

• "JesusThe doesn'man couldn't need strong helpers!walk." (FlexSit down, stay still.)
• "His friends had faith." (Climb and shake.lower rope.)
• "Jesus doesn'tforgave needhis smartsins helpers!FIRST." (Point to head and shake.heart.)
• "Then Jesus CHOOSEShealed helplesshis sinners!legs!" (PointJump toup self.and march.)
• "Because HEJesus canis save us!GOD!" (Point up.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

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Discussion Questions:

Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."

Question: "What kindwas ofthe people did Jesus choose to be His friends? Were they rich and important?"

Teacher Key: No! They were ordinary fishermen. Smelly, not rich, not famous. They were helpless sinners.

Question: "Did Jesus need Simon Peter'man's helpproblem tothat doeveryone Hiscould big job of saving sinners?"

Teacher Key: No. Jesus is God and He is all-powerful. He doesn't need anyone's help. He chose them because THEY needed HIM.

Question: "What did Simon Peter do when he saw all those fish? Why did he fall on his knees?see?"

Teacher Key: He knewcouldn't hewalk. wasHis alegs sinfuldidn't man standing in front of the perfect Son of God. He humbly admitted his sin.work.

Question: "DoWhen youthe haveman came to beJesus, good,what strong,did orJesus smartdo beforeFIRST? youDid canHe befix ahis friendlegs of Jesus?first?"

Teacher Key: No! Jesus cameforgave forhis weak,sins helplessfirst. sinners.Jesus Heknew wantsthat the man's sinful heart was an even bigger problem than his legs.

Question: "Why were some people whoangry knowwhen theyJesus said 'Your sins are forgiven'?"

Teacher Key: Because only God can forgive sins. They didn't believe that Jesus is God!

Question: "What is YOUR biggest problem? Is it a sore knee, or a bad day at school, or a fight with your friend? Or is it something even bigger?"

Teacher Key: Our biggest problem is our sinful heart. We all need Him.Jesus Thatto isforgive theour bestsins. newsThat's ofeven all!more important than fixing any problem with our bodies.

Teacher: "YouWe don'tall have toproblems bethat make us upset. Maybe you're scared of something, or sad, or your body hurts. Jesus cares about ALL of those things. But Jesus knows that the best at anything to be Jesus' friend. You don't have to be the smartest kid in school, or the fastest runner, or the one with thevery most friends.important thing we need is forgiveness for our sinful hearts. And only Jesus says:can 'Ido camethat, forbecause you,Jesus justis as you are. I know you need help, and I love you!'God!"

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "ThisJesus iscame theso mostthat we could have LIFE and have it abundantly. That means a full, wonderful newslife forwith all of us.God! Jesus doesn'tcan waitheal forour usbodies, tobut beeven goodmore enough.wonderfully, Jesus can forgive our sins and heal our hearts. That's why He comes to us when we are weak and helpless and says: 'Follow Me. I will save you.'came. What an amazing, powerful, loving Savior!"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You for choosingbeing sinnersso to be Your friends.powerful. Thank You that wenothing don'tis havetoo tohard befor strong, smart, or perfect.You. Thank You that You camecan forforgive weaksins and helplessheal people like us.hearts. Help us to beremember likethat Simonour Peter:biggest toproblem knowis our sinful heart, and that only You can fix it. Thank You for coming so that we needcould You,have life and tohave followit You with all our hearts.abundantly. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: LukeJohn 5:3210:10b

 

LukeJohn 5:3210:10b

[Jesus said,] "I came that they may have notlife comeand tohave callit the righteous but sinners to repentance.abundantly."

Hand Gestures:

• "I have not come.came...": ShakePoint up to heaven with one hand (where Jesus came from), then bring your headhand anddown wavetoward yourthe handsground side(He came down to side (saying "no, not for that reason")us).
• "...tothat callthey themay righteous.have life...": StandPlace upboth tallhands over your heart and proud,then flexspread your musclesarms likeout a strong personwide (life overflowing from the "righteous"inside who think they don't need help)out).
• "...butand sinners...have it abundantly.": DropStretch your shoulders,arms lookas down,wide andas pointyou tocan, yourselfthen humblyjump up high (that's us, sinners who need Jesus).
• "...to repentance.": Turn your whole body around in a circle (repentanceabundantly means turningMORE awaythan fromenough, sinoverflowing, andthe turningbest towardkind God)of life!).

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "JesusBig CallsProblem, Sinners"Bigger MissingProblem" WordSorting Game

Children takesort turns pickingpicture cards into "little problems" and "the biggest problem" to find the right wordreinforce that completessin theis memoryour verse.greatest need.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that while we have many problems in life, our sinful heart is our biggest problem, and only Jesus camecan tofix call SINNERS, not people who think they are already good enough.it.

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🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

• ASeveral whiteboardpaper orlunch largebags, each containing an object that represents a "little problem" (a broken pencil, a sock with a hole, a knotted shoelace, a torn piece of paperpaper, an empty glue bottle)
• MarkersOne large paper grocery bag containing the Darkened Heart visual
• 6Two word cards (face down):signs: "GoodLittle People,"Problems" and "SmartOur People,"BIGGEST "Kind People," "Strong People," "Nice People," "Sinners"Problem"

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🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: WritePlace all the memorybags versein ona row. Let each child take turns choosing a small bag and pulling out the boardobject with a blank: "[Jesus said,] 'I have not come to call the righteous but _______ to repentance.' (Luke 5:32)"inside.

Step 2: Ask: "If this belonged to you, what kind of problem would you have? How could it be fixed?" Place the 6object wordunder cardsthe face"Little downProblems" on a table. Mix them up.sign.

Step 3: OneAfter child picks a card. Readall the versesmall withbags thatare wordopened, fillinghold up the blank.large Forgrocery example: "I have not come to call the righteous but SMART PEOPLE to repentance."bag. Ask: "Is thatthere right?a problem even bigger than all of these?"

Step 4: IfLet wrong,a putchild reach in and pull out the Darkened Heart. Ask: "What does this represent?" (Our sinful hearts!) Place it aside and letunder the next"Our childBIGGEST pick.Problem" If correct ("Sinners"), everyone cheers and says the full verse together!sign.

Step 5: AfterAsk: finding"Who is the rightONLY word,one ask:who can fix our biggest problem?" (Jesus!) "WhyWhat did Jesus saydo 'sinners'for the man who couldn't walk?" (He forgave his sins AND healed his legs!) "Jesus is God, and notnothing 'goodis people'too or 'strong people'?" (Because Jesus camehard for people who know they need help!)Him!"

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Craft: "JesusThrough Chosethe Me!Roof!" FishingFlap BoatCard

Children make a simplecard paperwith fishinga boatroof that opens to takereveal homethe asman abeing reminderlowered thatto Jesus calls ordinary people.Jesus.

Materials: Half sheet of bluelight brown or tan construction paper (the sea)house), a smaller rectangle of brown paper (the roof flap), small people shapes (pre-cut boator shape from brown paper, small paper fish shapes, glue sticks,drawn), crayons or markers, glue sticks, the memory verse printed on small strips of paper.

The Activity:

• Step 1: GlueOn the brown boat shape onto the bluetan paper (the sea).house), draw a simple picture of Jesus standing inside and a man lying on a mat. This is the scene inside the house.
• Step 2: DrawGlue stickor figures of Simon Peter, James, and John intape the boat.brown "roof" flap along the top edge only, so it can flip up like a door to reveal the scene underneath.
• Step 3: GlueOn lotstop of littlethe fishroof shapesflap, around and belowdraw the boatfour (friends lowering their friend through the miraculous catch!).hole.
• Step 4: WriteOn orthe back of the card, glue the memory verse strip at the bottom:strip: "[Jesus said,] 'I came that they may have notlife comeand tohave callit the righteous but sinners to repentance.abundantly.'" (LukeJohn 5:32)
• Step 5: On the back, children can write or draw: "Jesus chose ME to be His friend!"10:10b)
• Take Home: Children can show their family the boatcard and tell the storystory! of"The howman's friends lowered him through the roof to see Jesus. Jesus calledforgave ordinaryhis fishermensins tofirst, followthen Him.healed Ask:his "Didlegs! Jesus needis strong,God, smartand helpers?nothing No!is Hetoo chosehard weakfor sinners because HE can save them!Him!"

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Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that You are God and nothing is too hard for calling sinners to be Your friends.You. Thank You that weYou don't havecame to beforgive perfectour or strong or important. You love us just as we are,sins and Youheal areour powerful enough to save us.hearts. Help us to always remembercome thatto weYou needwith You.our biggest problem. Thank You for giving us life abundantly. Amen."

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)