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2026-05-03 Jesus Spends Time with Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus hascame to save sinners, even the powerworst to heal bodies AND forgive sins, but that forgivenesskinds of sin is our greatest need.sinners. Through the story of Jesus healingcalling Levi the paralyzedtax mancollector (Mark 2:1-12)13-17, Luke 5:27-32), children will discover that whileJesus havingis like a bodydoctor who spends time with sick people, and that doesn'tevery workheart isneeds His healing. The Pharisees thought they were good enough and did not need Jesus, but Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a bigphysician, problem, having a sinful heart is an even bigger problem. Jesus showed His power as God by forgiving the man's sins AND healing his legs. Jesus came so thatbut those who trustare insick. Him mayI have lifenot come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Jesus welcomes sinners who know they are helpless and haveneed ita abundantly (John 10:10b).Savior.

Main Ideas:

  • Power:Even the Worst: Jesus displayscame to save sinners, even the powerworst kinds of God. Nothing is too hard for Him.
  • Compassion: Jesus has compassion on helpless sinners.
  • GreatestNo Need:One is Good: JesusNo knowsone thatis ourrighteous greateston need,their forgivenessown. ofEvery sin,heart canis onlysick bewith met through trusting in Him.sin.
  • AbundantNot Life:by Our Own Works: People cannot be saved by trying to be good or by their own merits.
  • Jesus the Doctor: Only Jesus camecan soheal thata His people could have lifesick and livesinful it to the full.heart.

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

LukeJohn 5:3210:10b

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

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

  • A pairsmall bottle of babycough medicine (or dollany shoesmedicine withbottle) and a knot tied tightly in the laces (too small to wear)spoon
  • A blanketbox of bandages and an ice pack (real or large towel (to represent the mat the paralyzed man was carried on)pretend)
  • Darkened Heart visual (from previous lessons)
  • Small White Heart cutout (to place over the Darkened Heart later)
  • A paper sign labeled "Levi" and a paper sign labeled "Pharisee" (or printed cutouts)

 

(Walk in carryingholding the tinybottle knottedof shoes.cough Sit downmedicine and trya veryspoon. hardArrange a helper or parent ahead of time to untiesit in the knots,group lookingand frustrated.start coughing loudly right as you begin.)

Teacher: "Good morning, friends! Look what I brought today. I brought a bottle of cough medicine and a spoon."

(The helper begins coughing.)

Teacher: "Oh no,my! ohDid no,you ohhear no!that? ISomeone haveis coughing! When would someone need cough medicine? Who would WANT to take this medicine?"

Interaction: "If you think a TERRIBLEsick problem!person Canneeds the medicine, pat your chest. If you see?think Thea laceshealthy onperson myneeds shoesthe aremedicine, allshake knottedyour up! I can't untie them! Can someone please help me get these knots out?head."

(LetPoint to a child comewho tryis tonot untie the knot. After a moment, hold the shoes up.coughing.)

Teacher: "What about you? You're not coughing. You feel great! Do you need this cough medicine right now?"

(Wait afor minute..."no.")

even

Teacher: "That's right. And what about our friend who keeps coughing? Would he be happy if we untie the knots... look at these shoes! They're TINY! They're baby shoes! Could I evershared fitthis mymedicine bigwith feet into these little shoes?him?"

Interaction: "EveryoneThumbs lookup atif our coughing friend needs the teacher'smedicine!"

feet.

Teacher: Now"People lookwho atknow they are sick WANT the tinymedicine. shoes.People Shakewho yourfeel headshealthy anddon't say:want medicine, because they feel just fine. Jesus said something VERY important about this in the Bible. Listen carefully."

Teacher: (Reads slowly.) "Jesus said, 'NOThose WAY!who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.'"

Teacher: "So IJesus was verynot upsetjust talking about the knots in my laces, butbodies that wasn'tare evensick. my REAL problem! The real problemJesus was talking about HEARTS that the shoes are waysick. too small! Even if the knots were fixed, I still couldn't wear them!"

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 readhear a true story from the Bible about a man whowhose had a problem that heheart was very upsetsick, about.and Itabout wassome aother muchpeople biggerwho problemthought thantheir knottedhearts shoewere laces!just But when this man met Jesus, he found out he had an even BIGGER problem!fine. Let's find outsee what happened.Jesus did."

Story Telling: Jesus HealsSpends aTime Paralyzedwith ManSinners (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

  • BlanketCough medicine bottle (still in view)
  • "Levi" sign or largecutout
    • towel
  • "Pharisee" (thesign man'sor mat)cutout
  • Darkened Heart visual
  • Small White Heart cutout (lightly taped over the Pharisee's dark heart)

 

Part 1: TheA Man WhoNobody Couldn't WalkLiked (2 mins)

Teacher: "Last timetime, we learned that Jesus calledhealed ordinarya fishermenman towho followcould Him.not walk, and Jesus choosesalso helplessforgave sinnershis tosins. beJesus Hishas friends.the Todaypower we'reof God. Today, Jesus is going to see Jesus do something eventhat morewill amazing!surprise a LOT of people."

Teacher:(Hold "Our story comes fromup the book"Levi" of Mark in the Bible. Jesus came to a town called Capernaum. When people heard that Jesus was there, SO many people crowded into the house to see Him that there was no room left. Not even by the door!"

Interaction: "Everyone squeeze together really tight! Squish, squish! That's how crowded it was!"

Teacher: "Now, there was a man in this town who had a really big problem. He could not walk. His legs did not work at all. He couldn't stand up. He couldn't run. He couldn't even wiggle his 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!"sign.)

Teacher: "This is a man named Levi. Levi had foura reallyjob. goodHe friends. They believed that Jesus could help their friend. So they carried him onwas a matTAX allCOLLECTOR. theThat waymeans he was in charge of taking money from people and giving it to the houseking."

where

Interaction: Jesus"Hold was.out your hands like you are asking for money. Now pull them toward yourself. That's what tax collectors did, all day long!"

Teacher: "But Levi did NOT do this job kindly. Tax collectors in those days took EXTRA money from their own people and kept it for themselves. They cheated. They were like thieves who the king said were allowed to steal. People HATED tax collectors. They were not even allowed to go into the church to worship God!"

Interaction: "Make a sad face for Levi. Nobody liked him. Nobody wanted to sit with him. Nobody wanted to eat with him."

(LayHold up the blanketDarkened on the ground.Heart.)

Teacher: "ButLevi whenhad theysomething goteven there,sadder therethan wereno SOfriends. manyLevi had a sick heart. Not a sick body, but a dark, sinful, sick HEART. And deep down, Levi knew it. Levi knew that stealing money and cheating people thatwas theywrong, couldn'tand gethe throughknew thehe door!could Whatnot wouldfix youhis do?own heart."

(Wait for kids to answer.)

 

Part 2: ThroughJesus theCalls Roof!Levi (2 mins)

Teacher: "TheseOne fourday, friendsLevi hadwas ansitting amazingat idea.his Theymoney climbedtable, collecting taxes, and Jesus walked by. Jesus stopped. He looked right at Levi, the worst person in town, and said just two words."

Teacher: (Speak it loud and clear.) "'Follow Me.'"

Interaction: "Everyone stand up, look at the teacher, and let's all say it together. Ready? 'Follow Me!'"

Teacher: "Now, this is amazing. Jesus did NOT say, 'Levi, first go clean up onyour heart, then come follow Me.' Jesus did NOT say, 'Levi, go give back all the ROOFmoney, then come follow Me.' Jesus did NOT say, 'Levi, go be a better person, THEN come follow Me.' Jesus said, 'Follow Me,' right now, just as you are."

Teacher: "And what do you think Levi did? Levi GOT UP! He left his money, he left his table, he left his job, and he followed Jesus!"

Interaction: "Everyone march in place! Levi is following Jesus! Left, right, left, right!"

Teacher: "Why would Levi leave everything? Because Levi knew his heart was sick, and he knew Jesus was the only one who could heal it. Levi wanted Jesus more than he wanted money. He wanted Jesus more than he wanted his job. He wanted Jesus more than ANYTHING."

 

Part 3: Dinner with Sinners (2 mins)

Teacher: "Then Levi did something wonderful. He invited Jesus to his HOUSE for a big dinner! And you know who else came to the dinner? ALL of theLevi's house!friends, who were ALSO tax collectors and people everybody called 'bad sinners.'"

Interaction: "Everyone pretend to climbsit at a ladder!big Climb,table. climb, climb! UpPretend to eat. Mmm, yummy! Now imagine the roof!table is full of people that nobody liked."

Teacher: "And then they started digging through the roof! They made a hole right in the ceiling! Can you imagine sitting inside and suddenly seeing a HOLE appear above your head?"

Interaction: "Look up at the ceiling! Point up! 'There's a HOLE in the roof!'"

Teacher: "Then, slowly and carefully, the four friends lowered the man on his mat down through the hole, right in frontmiddle of Jesus!"

all

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

JESUS.

Teacher:Eating "Jesuswith sawthem. thisTalking manwith comingthem. downLaughing throughwith thethem. roof.SPENDING AndTIME thewith Bible says something very special: Jesus saw their FAITH. He saw that they BELIEVED Jesus could help. Jesus was pleased that they trusted Him so much that they would even break open a roof to get to Him!"

 

Part 3: The Surprise (2.5 mins)

Teacher: "Now, what do you think the man wanted Jesus to do? What was his big problem?"

(Wait for kids to answer: "He can't walk!")

Teacher: "Right! He couldn't walk. He wanted Jesus to fix his legs. But listen to what Jesus said first. Jesus looked at the man and said: 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'"

Teacher: "Wait... what? The man came because his legs didn't work, but Jesus talked about his SINS? Why would Jesus do that?them."

(Hold up the Darkened"Pharisee" sign or cutout, with the Small White Heart visual.taped over the darkened heart.)

Teacher: "BecauseBut Jesussome other people saw this dinner. These people were called PHARISEES. The Pharisees were teachers who knew somethingthe Bible very important.well. NotThey being ablewent to walkchurch isevery aweek. reallyThey bigsaid problem.lots Butof havingprayers. aThey sinfuldid heartlots isof angood eventhings. BIGGERAnd problem!they Rememberthought ourtheir tinyhearts shoes? The knotted laces seemedlooked like theTHIS."

big

(Point problem, butto the realSmall problemWhite was that the shoes were too small. The man's legs seemed like his biggest problem, but his sinful heart was an even bigger problem!"Heart.)

Interaction: "PointIf toyou think a clean white heart is good, put your legs.thumbs That'sup! aThe bigPharisees problem.THOUGHT Nowtheir pointhearts towere your heart. That's an even BIGGER problem!clean."

Teacher: "SomeThe peoplePharisees inwere theVERY room got very angry when Jesus said this.upset. They thought:said, 'WhoLook doesat JesusJesus! thinkWhy is He is?eating Onlywith Godthose canbad forgivepeople? sins!Why is He spending time with tax collectors and sinners?' And you know what? They were right about one thing: only God CAN forgive sins. But they forgot something very important: Jesus IS God!"

 

Part 4: Jesus Provesthe He Is GodDoctor (1.52 mins)

Teacher: "Jesus knewheard what theythe Pharisees were thinking.saying. SoAnd HeJesus askedgave them an answer that surprised EVERYONE. Listen closely."

Teacher: (Hold up the cough medicine again.) "Jesus said, 'Those who are well have no need of a question.physician He(that said:means 'Whicha isdoctor), easierbut those who are SICK. I have not come to say:call Yourthe sinsrighteous, arebut forgiven,SINNERS orto Standrepentance.'"

up

Interaction: and"Cough walk?like you're sick! Now pretend to drink some medicine. Now say 'ahhh, better!'"

Teacher: "Then Jesus said:was saying: 'I am like a doctor! A doctor does not spend time with people who feel healthy. A doctor spends time with people who know they are SICK and who WANT to get better! That's why I am with Levi and his friends. They know their hearts are sick. They want Me to help them. But so that you mayPharisees? knowYou that I have power to forgive sins...' And He looked at the man and said: 'Stand up, pick upTHINK your mat,hearts andare gohealthy. home!'"

You

Interaction:don't "Everyone sit on the floor. Now, when I say 'GO,' jump up as fast asthink you can!need Ready...a GO!doctor. So you don't want my help.'"

(LetSlowly allremove the kidsSmall jumpWhite up.Heart from the Pharisee to reveal the Darkened Heart underneath.)

Teacher: "That'sBut here is the saddest part. Look what happened!was Thehiding manUNDER whothe couldclean NEVERwhite walk before stood right up! He picked up his mat and walked right out in front of everyone! His legs worked perfectly!heart."

Interaction: "MarchGasp! inEveryone place! Look at your legs! They WORK!gasp! The manPharisee's couldheart walk!was DARK too!"

Teacher: "EveryoneThe Pharisees had sinful, dark hearts, JUST like Levi. The difference was, Levi KNEW it and wanted Jesus' help. The Pharisees did NOT know it. They thought being nice, going to church, and following rules made their hearts clean. But only Jesus can make a heart clean. You cannot do it by trying hard. You cannot do it by being nice. You cannot do it by going to church. Only Jesus."

Teacher: "So Jesus said, 'I did not come to call the righteous (people who sawTHINK itthey wasare amazed.good). TheyI said:came 'Weto havecall neverSINNERS seenwho anythingknow likethey this!need to be saved.' Jesus healed the man's legs, but even more importantly, Jesus forgave the man's sins. JesusThat is God,really, andreally nothinggood is too hardnews for Him.anyone Hewho hasknows thethey powerneed to heal bodies AND to heal sinful hearts.Jesus."

 

Review with Actions

Teacher: "Let's remember thisthe story with actions!"

  • Teacher: "TheLevi manwas couldn'ta walk."tax (Kidscollector sitwith downa andsick stay still.)
  • Teacher: "His friends had faith.heart." (Kids pretend to climbscoop money and lowermake a rope.sad face.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus forgavesaid, his'Follow sinsMe!'" FIRST.(Kids point out and say, "Follow Me!")
  • Teacher: "Levi got up and followed Jesus." (Kids march in place.)
  • Teacher: "The Pharisees thought their hearts were clean." (Kids cross arms and look proud.)
  • Teacher: "But their hearts were dark too!" (Kids gasp and cover their mouths.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus is the doctor for sick hearts!" (Kids pretend to take a spoonful of medicine.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus came to save sinners, even the worst of sinners!" (Kids point to their hearts.)
    • own
  • Teacher:hearts, "Then Jesus healed his legs!" (Kids jump up and march.)
  • Teacher: "Because Jesus is GOD!" (Kids pointthen up to heaven.)

Teacher: "One more time, louder!"

  • "TheLevi manhad couldn'ta walk.sick heart." (SitScoop down,money, staysad still.)
  • "His friends had faith." (Climb and lower rope.face.)
  • "Jesus forgavesaid, his'Follow sinsMe!'" FIRST.(Point out.)
  • "Levi followed Jesus." (March.)
  • "The Pharisees thought they were good." (Proud pose.)
  • "But their hearts were dark too!" (Gasp.)
  • "Jesus is the doctor for sick hearts!" (Take medicine.)
  • "Jesus came to save sinners!" (Point to heart.)
    • heart,
  • "Then Jesus healed his legs!" (Jump up and march.)
  • "Because Jesus is GOD!" (Pointthen up.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

Discussion Questions:

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

Question: "WhatWhy wasdid thepeople man'shate problem that everyone could see?Levi?"

Teacher Key: He couldn'twas walk.a Histax legscollector didn'twho work.cheated people and took extra money for himself. He was a known sinner.

Question: "WhenWhat thesurprising man came to Jesus, whatthing did Jesus dosay FIRST?to DidLevi?"

Teacher Key: "Follow Me." Jesus did not wait for Levi to clean himself up first. Jesus called him just as he was.

Question: "Why were the Pharisees upset that Jesus was eating with sinners?"

Teacher Key: They thought their own hearts were already clean, and they thought Jesus should only spend time with 'good' people. They did not see that their hearts were sinful too.

Question: "Jesus said He fixcame hisfor legssick first?people, not healthy people. What kind of sick was He talking about?"

Teacher Key: Sick HEARTS, not sick bodies. Every person has a sinful heart and needs Jesus to heal it.

Question: "Can we make our own hearts clean by being really good, going to church, or saying nice prayers?"

Teacher Key: No! Jesus forgave his sins first.Only Jesus knew that the man's sinful heart was an even bigger problem than his legs.

Question: "Why were some people angry when Jesus 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 itclean 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. That's why He came. We alltrust needin JesusJesus, tonot forgivein our sins.own That's even more important than fixing any problem with our bodies.goodness.

Teacher: "WeSometimes allwe havemight problemsthink, that'I'm makepretty usgood. upset.I Maybedon't you'redo scaredbad ofthings something,like orTHAT sad,kid. orI yourdon't body hurts.need Jesus caresas aboutmuch as HE does.' But the Bible says ALL of thoseus things. But Jesus knows that the very most important thing we need is forgiveness for ourhave sinful hearts. AndThe onlygood news is, Jesus cancame doto that,save becausesinners. JesusANY issinner God!who knows they need Him and trusts in Him. Even the worst of sinners. Even you. Even me."

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "Jesus is the doctor for sick hearts. When we see someone who seems very 'bad,' we can remember: Jesus came sofor that person too. When we couldsee have LIFEourselves and havethink itwe abundantly.are That'pretty meansgood,' we can remember: our hearts are sick too, and we need Jesus. Those who trust in Jesus, and only Jesus, will be saved. What a full, wonderful life with God! Jesus can heal our bodies, but even more wonderfully, Jesus can forgive our sins and heal our hearts. That's why He came. What an amazing, powerful, loving Savior!"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You for being sothe powerful.doctor Thankwho Youheals that nothing is too hard for You. Thank You that You can forgive sins and healsick hearts. Help us to rememberknow that our biggestown problemhearts isneed You. We cannot clean them on our sinful heart, and that only You can fix it.own. Thank You for comingcalling sosinners thatto wefollow couldYou, havejust lifelike andYou havecalled itLevi. abundantly.Help us to follow You with our whole hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: JohnLuke 10:10b5:31-32

 

JohnLuke 10:10b5:31-32

[And Jesus said,]answered them, "IThose camewho thatare they maywell have lifeno andneed of a physician, but those who are sick. I have itnot abundantly.come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

Hand Gestures:

  • "IThose came.who are well...": Point up to heaven with one hand (where Jesus came from), then bringFlex your handarm downmuscles towardand thesmile groundbig (Hea camestrong, downhealthy to us)person).
  • "...that they may have life.no need of a physician...": Place both hands overShake your hearthead "no" and then spreadwave your armshand out wideaway (lifedon't overflowing fromneed the inside out)doctor).
  • "...andbut havethose itwho abundantly.are sick.": StretchCough into your armselbow asand widehold asyour youstomach can,(feeling sick).
  • "I have not come to call the righteous...": Point outward and shake your head (not the people who think they're good).
  • "...but sinners to repentance.": Point to your own heart, then jumpraise both hands up high(turning (abundantlyto means MORE than enough, overflowing, the best kind of life!)Jesus).

Teacher Tip: The verse is a little long for ages 4-6. Focus first on the key phrase: "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." The other lines can be taught as call-and-response (teacher says first phrase, kids do the gesture and repeat).

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "BigWho Problem,Needs Biggerthe Problem"Doctor?" Sorting Game

Children sort picture cards of people and situations into "littleThinks problems"they are healthy" and "Knows they need the biggestDoctor" problem"piles. toThe reinforcetwist: thatat sinthe end, EVERY card ends up in the "Needs the Doctor" pile, because every heart is our greatest need.sick.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that whileevery weperson havehas many problems in life, oura sinful heart and needs Jesus. No one is oursaved biggestby problem,being and"good only Jesus can fix it.enough."

🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

  • SeveralA paperset lunchof bags,picture eachcards containingshowing andifferent object that representspeople: a "littlegrumpy problem" (a broken pencil,child, a sockkind child, a church-goer, a person in fancy clothes, a person stealing, a person helping, a tired parent, a happy grandma, etc. (Aim for 8-10 cards, with a hole,mix athat knottedcould shoelace,make akids torn"sort" piecethem ofinto paper,good anand empty glue bottle)
  • One large paper grocery bag containing the Darkened Heart visualbad)
  • Two signs: "LittleThinks Problems"They Are Healthy" and "OurKnows BIGGESTThey Problem"Need the Doctor"
  • A small toy doctor kit or a picture of Jesus (to be the "doctor")

🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: Place allLay the bagstwo insigns a row. Let each child take turns choosing a small bag and pulling outon the objectfloor. inside.Shuffle the picture cards.

Step 2: Ask:Let each child pick a card and decide: "IfDoes this belongedperson tothink you,they whatare kindhealthy, ofor problemdo wouldthey youknow have?they Howneed couldthe it be fixed?Doctor?" Place the objectcard under one of the "Little Problems" sign.signs.

Step 3: After allevery card is sorted, the smallteacher bagswalks areover opened, hold upto the large"Thinks groceryThey bag.Are Ask:Healthy" pile and says: "IsRemember therewhat Jesus said? Everyone has a problemsinful heart, even biggerpeople thanwho allLOOK ofgood these?on the outside. The Pharisees thought they were healthy too!"

Step 4: Let a child reach in and pull outHave the Darkenedchildren Heart.help Ask:move "Whatevery doescard this represent?" (Our sinful hearts!) Place it underinto the "OurKnows BIGGESTThey Problem"Need sign.the Doctor" pile. Cheer together: "EVERYONE needs Jesus!"

Step 5: Ask: "Who is the ONLYonly oneDoctor who can fixheal oura biggestsick problem?heart?" (Jesus!) "What didDid Jesus docome for the'pretty mangood' people, or for sinners who couldn'tknow walk?they need Him?" (He forgave his sins AND healed his legs!Sinners!) "Jesus is God, and nothing is too hard for Him!"

Craft: "ThroughFollow theMe" Roof!"Heart Flap Card

Children make a card with a roofdark heart on the front that opensflips up to reveal a clean, red heart behind it, with the manwords being"Jesus loweredcalls sinners." This is a simple take-home visual of what Jesus does for hearts that come to Jesus.Him.

Materials: Half sheet of lightwhite brown or tan construction papercardstock (thefolded house)in half to make a card), a smaller rectangle of brown paper (the roof flap), small people shapes (pre-cut dark grey or drawn)black heart shape (about 3 inches), a pre-cut red heart shape (slightly smaller), glue sticks, crayons or markers, glue sticks, the memory verse printed on small strips of paper.strips.

The Activity:

  • Step 1: On the tan paper (the house), draw a simple picturefront of Jesusthe standingfolded insidecard, and a man lying on a mat. This isglue the sceneRED insideheart in the house.center. Write or stamp "Jesus" above it.
  • Step 2: Glue orthe tapeDARK heart on TOP of the brownred "roof"heart, flapbut only glue along the top edge only, so itthe candark flipheart lifts up like a doorflap to reveal the scenered heart underneath.
  • Step 3: On top of the roofdark flap,heart, draw theor fourwrite friendsa loweringsimple theirsad friendface, throughor the hole.word "Me."
  • Step 4: On the back ofInside the card, glue the memory verse strip: "[Jesus said,] 'I came that they may have lifenot andcome haveto itcall abundantly.'the righteous but sinners to repentance." (JohnLuke 10:10b)5:32)
  • Step 5: Decorate the outside with stickers or crayons.
  • Take Home: Children can show their family and lift the cardflap andto tell the story!story: "TheMy man'sheart friendsis lowereddark himbecause throughof thesin, roof to see Jesus.but Jesus forgavecalls his sins first, then healed his legs! Jesus is God,sinners and nothingmakes istheir toohearts hardred forand Him!clean!"

Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that You arecame Godto andsave nothing is too hard for You.sinners. Thank You that You are not afraid of dark hearts, because You came to forgive our sins and heal our hearts.them. Help us to alwaysknow comethat we need You every day. Help us to You withtell our biggestfriends problem.and Thankfamily that You are the doctor for givingsick ushearts. lifeIn abundantly.Jesus' name, 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)

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