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2026-05-10 Jesus Changes Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus camehas the power to savecompletely sinners,change evena thesinner's worst kinds of sinners.heart. Through the dramatic story of Jesus calling Levihealing the taxdemon-possessed collectorman in the region of the Gerasenes (Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32)1-20), children will discoversee that sin holds people in bondage, and that no one can free themselves by trying harder or being nicer. Only Jesus, who is more powerful than Satan, can break the chains of sin. When Jesus saves a person, He makes them into a brand-new creation, just like 2 Corinthians 5:17 says. The wild, out-of-control man becomes calm, clothed, and in his right mind. He is so changed that Jesus issends like a doctor who spends time with sick people, and that every heart needs 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 physician, but those who are sick. I have not comehim to calltell theeveryone righteouswhat butGod sinnershas todone repentance."for Jesus welcomes sinners who know they are helpless and need a Savior.him.

Main Ideas:

  • EvenSin is a Prison: Sinners cannot free themselves from the Worst:power of sin. We need help from outside of us.
  • Jesus Sets Free: Jesus came to savefree sinners,people evenfrom the worst kindsbondage of sinners.
  • No One is Good: No one is righteous on their own. Every heart is sick with sin.
  • NotJesus byis Our Own Works:Stronger: PeopleJesus cannotis bemore savedpowerful bythan tryingSatan. toNothing beand goodno orone bycan theirstop own merits.Him.
  • New Creation: When Jesus forgives a sinner, He changes the Doctor: Only Jesus can heal a sickheart and sinfulmakes heart.the person brand new.

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 10:10b5:31-32

[Jesus said,] "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

  • A small bottle of cough medicine (or any medicine bottle) and a spoon
  • A box of bandages and an ice pack (real or 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 holding the bottle of cough medicine and a spoon. Arrange a helper or parent ahead of time to sit in the group and 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 my! Did you hear that? Someone is coughing! When would someone need cough medicine? Who would WANT to take this medicine?"

Interaction: "If you think a sick person needs the medicine, pat your chest. If you think a healthy person needs the medicine, shake your head."

(Point to a child who is not coughing.)

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

(Wait for "no.")

Teacher: "That's right. And what about our friend who keeps coughing? Would he be happy if I shared this medicine with him?"

Interaction: "Thumbs up if our coughing friend needs the medicine!"

Teacher: "People who know they are sick WANT the medicine. People who feel healthy don't want medicine, because they feel just fine. Jesus saidanswered something VERY important about this in the Bible. Listen carefully."

Teacher: (Reads slowly.)them, "Jesus said, 'Those 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:

Bible "JesusStory was(10 not just talking about bodies that are sick. Jesus was talking about HEARTS that are sick. Today we are going to hear a true story about a man whose heart was very sick, and about some other people who thought their hearts were just fine. Let's see what Jesus did."

min)

Story Telling: Jesus Spends Time with SinnersIntroduction (82 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:Needed:

  • CoughA medicinepicture bottleof a caterpillar and a picture of a butterfly (stillprinted, inor view)on a phone/tablet)
  • "Levi"A signshort length of chain or cutout
    • rope
  • "Pharisee"(about sign2 orfeet, cutoutsafe for kids to see)
  • Darkened Heart visual (from previous lessons)
  • Small WhiteShiny/Clean Heart cutoutvisual (lightlyfrom tapedprevious overlessons)
    • the
  • A Pharisee'spaper darksign heart)labeled "Wild Man" and a paper sign labeled "New Man"
  • Some torn rags or a ripped piece of cloth
  • A clean folded shirt or robe

 

Part

(Walk 1:in Aholding Manup Nobodythe Likedpicture (2of mins)

a butterfly.)

Teacher: "LastGood time,morning, wefriends! learnedLook at this beautiful butterfly! How many colors can you see?"

Interaction: "Flap your arms like butterfly wings! Flutter, flutter, flutter!"

Teacher: "Butterflies are so pretty. Now, did you know that Jesusa healedbutterfly was NOT always a manbutterfly? whoA couldlong nottime walk,ago, andthis Jesusbutterfly alsolooked forgavelike his sins. Jesus has the power of God. Today, Jesus is going to do something that will surprise a LOT of people.THIS."

(Hold up the "Levi"caterpillar sign.picture.)

Teacher: "A caterpillar! A fat, crawling, bumpy little worm. Can you believe it? This iscrawling acaterpillar manCHANGED namedinto Levi.that Levibeautiful hadflying abutterfly. job.Who Hemade wasthat a TAX COLLECTOR. That means he was in charge of taking money from people and giving it to the king.happen?"

Interaction: "HoldPoint outup yourto handsGod! likeGod youdid are asking for money. Now pull them toward yourself. That's what tax collectors did, all day long!it!"

Teacher: "ButGod 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 whomade the kingcaterpillar saidchange. wereAnd allowedthat tois steal.amazing. PeopleBut HATEDI taxwill collectors.tell Theyyou weresomething notMORE amazing than that. God can change something even allowedbetter to go into the church to worship God!"

Interaction: "Makethan a sadcaterpillar. faceGod forcan Levi.change Nobodya likedPERSON'S him. Nobody wanted to sit with him. Nobody wanted to eat with him.HEART."

(Hold up the Darkened Heart.)

Teacher: "LeviWe hadhave somethinglearned eventhat sadderevery thanheart nois friends.born Levidark and dirty with sin. And today we are going to hear about a man who had a sickVERY dark heart. NotHis heart was so full of sin that bad spirits were controlling him. And then Jesus came. And Jesus changed him more completely than a sickcaterpillar body,changing butinto a dark,butterfly. sinful,Let's sickhear HEART.the Andstory."

deep
down,

Story LeviTelling: knewJesus it.Changes LeviSinners knew(8 thatmin)

stealing

Props money/ Visuals Suggested:

  • Caterpillar and cheatingbutterfly peoplepictures was(still wrong,in view)
  • Chain or rope
  • Torn rags
  • Clean folded shirt or robe
  • Darkened Heart and heShiny knewHeart hevisuals
    • could
  • "Wild notMan" fixand his"New ownMan" heart."

    signs

 

Part 2:1: JesusThe CallsWild LeviMan Nobody Could Help (2 mins)

Teacher: "One day, Levi was sitting at his money table, collecting taxes,Jesus and JesusHis walkeddisciples by.got Jesusinto stopped.a Heboat lookedand sailed across the sea. When they got to the other side, they stepped out onto the beach. And right ataway, Levi,they heard a loud, scary sound coming from the worst person in town, and said just two words."

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

Interaction: "Everyone standcup up,your lookhands atto your ears. Listen! What do you hear?" (Make a loud yelling or growling sound.)

(Hold up the teacher,"Wild Man" sign and let'sthe alltorn say it together. Ready? 'Follow Me!'"rags.)

Teacher: "Now,A thisman iscame amazing.running Jesusdown didfrom NOTthe say,hills. 'Levi,He firstwas goscary. cleanHis upclothes your heart, then come follow Me.' Jesus did NOT say, 'Levi, go give backwere all torn to pieces, like THIS."

(Wave the money,torn thenrags 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."around.)

Teacher: "AndHe whatdid donot youlive thinkin Levia did? Levi GOT UP!house. He leftlived hisin money,the hegraveyard, leftwhere hispeople table,are heburied. leftHe hiswas job,yelling and hescreaming followedday Jesus!and night. He was hurting himself. He was hurting other people. Everyone was SO afraid of him."

Interaction: "EveryoneMake marcha scared face! Hug yourself and shake. Brrrrr!"

(Hold up the chain.)

Teacher: "The people in place!the Levitown istried followingEVERYTHING Jesus!to Left,stop right,him. left,They right!tied him up with strong chains, like this one. Do you think the chains could hold him?"

(Shake head.)

Teacher: "No! The man was SO strong that he broke the chains right off his arms, like they were little pieces of string. SNAP! SNAP!"

Interaction: "Flex your muscles! Now pretend to SNAP a chain! Ready? SNAP!"

(Hold up the Darkened Heart.)

Teacher: "Why wouldwas Levithis leaveman everything?so wild and so sad? Because Levi knew his heart was sick,sick and hedark knewwith Jesussin. And something even worse, bad spirits called demons were INSIDE him, telling him what to do. The man could not stop them. Nobody could. The chains were not strong enough. His family was thenot onlystrong oneenough. whoHe could healnot it.fix Levihimself. wantedHe Jesusneeded moresomeone MORE powerful than hethe wantedsin money.inside He wanted Jesus more than he wanted his job. He wanted Jesus more than ANYTHING.him."

 

Part 3:2: DinnerJesus withis SinnersMore Powerful (2 mins)

Teacher: "ThenWhen Levithe didwild somethingman wonderful.saw HeJesus, invitedhe ran STRAIGHT at Him. The disciples were probably very scared. But Jesus? Jesus towas hisNOT HOUSEscared. forNot aone biglittle dinner! And you know who else came to the dinner? ALL of Levi's friends, who were ALSO tax collectors and people everybody called 'bad sinners.'bit."

Interaction: "EveryoneStand pretendup totall sitand atput your hands on your hips like a bigsuperhero! table. Pretend to eat. Mmm, yummy! Now imagine the tableJesus is fullNOT of people that nobody liked.afraid!"

Teacher: "AndWhen rightthe man got close to Jesus, something amazing happened. The man fell DOWN on his knees in the middlefront of allJesus. theseThe demons inside him screamed out, 'badWhat people'...do satYou JESUS. Eatingwant with them.us, TalkingJesus, withSon them.of Laughingthe withMost them.High SPENDINGGod?'"

TIME

Teacher: with"Do you hear what the demons called Jesus? They called Him 'Son of the Most High God.' Even the demons know that Jesus is God! And even the demons know that Jesus is STRONGER than them."

Interaction: "Point up high and say it with me: 'Jesus is STRONGER!'"

Teacher: "Jesus looked at the man with kindness. Jesus said just a few words to the demons, and the demons had to OBEY Him. Chains could not stop the demons. Strong soldiers could not stop the demons. But Jesus? Jesus just said the WORD and the demons had to leave. The demons went out of the man, and the man was FREE."

Interaction: "Everyone, pretend to break out of chains! Arms up high! FREE!"

 

Part 3: A Brand New Man (2 mins)

(HoldSet down the "Wild Man" sign and the torn rags. Pick up the "Pharisee"New Man" sign or cutout, withand the Smallclean Whiteshirt. Switch the Darkened Heart taped overfor the darkenedShiny heart.Heart.)

Teacher: "ButAfter someJesus othersent peoplethe demons away, something wonderful happened. People from the town came to see what was going on. And guess what they saw? They saw this dinner. These people were called PHARISEES. The Pharisees were teachers who knew the Biblewild veryman, well.sitting Theydown wentquietly. He was wearing clothes, nice clean clothes. He was not yelling. He was not screaming. He was not hurting himself. He was just sitting there, calm and peaceful, listening to church every week. They said lots of prayers. They did lots of good things. And they thought their hearts looked like THIS.Jesus."

(Point to the Small White Heart.)

Interaction: "IfSit youdown thinknice aand cleancalm, whitefold heartyour hands in your lap. This is good,what putthe yourman thumbslooked up!like Thenow. Pharisees THOUGHT their hearts were clean.Shhh."

Teacher: "TheWas Phariseesthis werethe VERYsame upset.wild, Theyscary said,man 'Lookwho atused Jesus!to Whybreak chains? YES! But also... NO! Because Jesus had CHANGED him. On the inside, the man had a BRAND NEW HEART. Not dark anymore. Not sinful anymore. Clean. Quiet. Happy. In love with Jesus."

(Point back and forth between the Wild Man sign and the New Man sign.)

Teacher: "It's like the caterpillar and the butterfly! Before Jesus? Crawling in the graves, wild and dark. After Jesus? Flying like a butterfly with a brand new heart. Jesus made him a NEW CREATION."

Interaction: "Crawl on your knees for a second like a caterpillar. Now stand up and flap your arms like a butterfly! That is Hewhat eatingJesus with those bad people? Why is He spending time with tax collectors and sinners?'does!"

 

Part 4: Go Tell What Jesus theHas DoctorDone (2 mins)

Teacher: "Now, when it was time for Jesus heardto leave, the man begged Jesus. He said, 'Please, Jesus, let me come with You! I want to be with You forever!' Do you know what theJesus Pharisees were saying. Andsaid? Jesus gavesaid themsomething an answer that surprised EVERYONE. Listen closely.surprising."

Teacher: (HoldOpen upyour theBible coughto medicineMark again.5:19.) "Jesus said, 'ThoseGo who are well have no need of a physician (that means a doctor), but those who are SICK. I have not comehome to callyour friends and tell them how much the righteous,Lord buthas SINNERSdone tofor repentance.'"

you,

Interaction:and "Coughhow likeHe you'rehas sick!had Nowmercy pretendon to drink some medicine. Now say 'ahhh, better!you.'"

Teacher: "JesusMercy was saying: 'I am likeis a doctor!big Aword. doctorMercy doesmeans God's KIND love that we did not spendearn. timeThe withman peopledid whonothing feelto healthy.deserve AJesus' doctorhelp. spendsHe timedid withnot peopleclean whohimself knowup theyfirst. areHe SICKdid not promise to be good. Jesus just loved him and whosaved WANThim. 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 you Pharisees? You THINK your hearts are healthy. You don't think you need a doctor. So you don't want my help.'"

(Slowly remove the Small White Heart from the Pharisee to reveal the Darkened Heart underneath.)

Teacher: "But hereThat is the saddest part. Look what was hiding UNDER the clean white heart.mercy."

Interaction: "Gasp!Cross Everyoneyour gasp!hands Theover Pharisee'syour heartheart. wasMercy DARK too!"

Teacher: "The 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 makeis a heartfree 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.gift!"

Teacher: "So Jesusthe said,man went home. But he was NOT the same man who had lived there before. The whole town saw this wild, scary man who used to break chains, now sitting calmly and telling everyone, 'IJESUS did notthis! comeJesus saved me! Jesus changed my heart!'"

Interaction: "Everyone cup your hands around your mouth and shout: 'JESUS SAVED ME!'"

Teacher: "And here is the best news of all. Jesus is still doing this today. If Jesus can save a wild man covered in demons, can Jesus save anybody?"

Teacher Key: YES! Nobody is too bad for Jesus. Nobody is too sinful for Jesus. Nobody is too far gone for Jesus. When Jesus decides to callsave thesomeone, righteousNOTHING (peoplecan whostop THINKHim, theynot aresin, good).not ISatan, camenot tochains, callnot SINNERSanything.

who

Teacher: know they need to be saved.' "That is really,what reallythe goodBible newsmeans forwhen it says, 'If anyone whois knowsin theyChrist, needhe Jesus.is a new creation. The old has passed away; the new has come.' Jesus makes us NEW."

 

Review with Actions

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

  • Teacher: "LeviThere was a taxwild collectorman with a sickdark heart." (Kids pretend to scoop money and make a sadgrowling face.)
  • Teacher: "JesusChains said,could 'Follownot Me!'hold him." (Kids pointpretend outto snap a chain.)
  • Teacher: "Nobody could help him. He could not help himself." (Kids shake heads sadly.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus came, and Jesus is STRONGER." (Kids flex muscles and say, "FollowJesus Me!is stronger!")
  • Teacher: "LeviJesus got upspoke, and followedthe Jesus.demons had to leave." (Kids marchpoint inand place.say, "GO!")
  • Teacher: "The Phariseesman 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 takegot a spoonfulbrand ofnew medicine.)
  • Teacher: "Jesus came to save sinners, even the worst of sinners!heart." (Kids point to their own hearts,hearts.)
    • then
  • Teacher: up"A tonew heaven.creation, like a butterfly!" (Kids flap arms like wings.)
  • Teacher: "Go and tell what Jesus has done!" (Kids cup hands around mouth and shout, "Jesus saved me!")

Teacher: "One more time, louder!a little faster!"

  • "LeviWild hadman, a sickdark heart." (Scoop money, sad face.Growl.)
  • "JesusChains said,could 'Follownot Me!'hold him." (PointSnap out.)
  • "Levi followed Jesus." (March.)
  • "The Pharisees thought they were good." (Proud pose.)
  • "But their hearts were dark too!" (Gasp.chain.)
  • "Jesus is the doctor for sick hearts!stronger." (Take medicine.Flex.)
  • "JesusDemons camehad to save sinners!leave." (Point toand heart,say, then"GO!")
    • up.
  • "Brand new heart." (Hands on heart.)
  • "Like a butterfly!" (Flap wings.)
  • "Go and tell!" (Shout, "Jesus saved me!")

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

Discussion Questions:

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

Question: "WhyWhat didwas peoplethe hatewild Levi?man like before Jesus changed him?"

Teacher Key: He waslived ain taxthe collectorgraveyard. whoHe cheated peopleyelled and took extra money forhurt himself. He broke chains. He had demons inside him. His heart was adark knownwith sinner.sin.

Question: "What surprising thing did Jesus say to Levi?"

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

Question: "Why wereCould the Phariseesman upsetfix thathimself? JesusCould wasother eatingpeople withfix 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 came for sick 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?him?"

Teacher Key: No! OnlyHe was too strong for chains. Nobody was strong enough to help him. He needed someone more powerful than his sin.

Question: "How did Jesus change the man?"

Teacher Key: Jesus just spoke. The demons had to obey Him. Jesus gave the man a brand new heart, a new creation.

Question: "What was the man like AFTER Jesus changed him?"

Teacher Key: Sitting calmly, wearing clothes, in his right mind. He was no longer afraid or angry. He loved Jesus and wanted to be with Him.

Question: "What did Jesus tell the man to do?"

Teacher Key: Go home and tell everyone what the Lord had done for him and how He had shown mercy.

Question: "Is anyone too bad for Jesus to save?"

Teacher Key: No! If Jesus can cleansave a sinfulman heart.full That'sof whydemons, HeJesus came.can Wesave trustanybody. inNothing Jesus,is nottoo inhard ourfor own goodness.Him.

Teacher: "Sometimes we might think,try 'I'mto prettybe good.good Ion don'tour doown. badWe thingsmight try to stop getting angry, stop telling lies, stop being mean. But just like THATthe kid.chains Icould don'tnot need Jesus as much as HE does.' Buthold the Biblewild saysman, ALLour ofgood ustrying havecannot fix our sinful hearts. The good news is,Only Jesus camecan tomake saveus sinners.brand ANYnew. sinnerWe who knows they need Him and truststrust in Him.Jesus. EvenAnd then, like the worstman, ofwe sinners.tell Evenothers you.what EvenJesus me.has done for us."

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "Jesus is themore doctorpowerful forthan sicksin. hearts.Jesus is more powerful than Satan. Jesus is more powerful than anything that scares us. When we see someone who seems very 'bad,' we can remember: Jesus camesaves fora thatsinner, personHe too.changes Whenthem wecompletely, seelike ourselvesa andcaterpillar thinkchanging weinto area 'prettybutterfly. good,'The weold canis remember:gone. ourThe heartsnew arehas sick too, and we need Jesus. Those who trust in Jesus, and only Jesus, will be saved.come. What a wonderfulmighty Savior!"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You forthat beingYou are stronger than sin. Thank You that You can save anyone, even people with the doctor who heals sickdarkest hearts. Please change our hearts. Make us new. Help us to know that our own hearts need You. We cannot clean them on our own. Thanktrust You for calling sinnersand to followtell You,others just likewhat You calledhave Levi.done Helpfor us to follow You with our whole hearts.us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: Luke2 Corinthians 5:31-3217

 

Luke2 Corinthians 5:31-3217

AndTherefore, Jesusif answeredanyone them,is "Thosein whoChrist, arehe well have no need ofis a physician,new butcreation. thoseThe whoold arehas sick.passed Iaway; have not come to callbehold, the righteousnew buthas sinners to repentance."come.

Hand Gestures:

  • "ThoseTherefore, whoif areanyone well.is in Christ...": FlexPoint yourout armto musclesdifferent andpeople, smilethen bigclasp hands together tightly (ajoined strong,to healthy person)Jesus).
  • "...havehe no need ofis a physician.new creation.": Sweep arms wide and spin once, like showing off something brand new.
  • "The old has passed away...": ShakeBrush your headhands "no"like dusting something off and wave your hand away (don't need the doctor).away.
  • "...butbehold, thosethe whonew arehas sick.come!": CoughCup intohands youraround elboweyes andlike hold your stomach (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,binoculars, then raisethrow both handsarms up (turninghigh towith Jesus).a big smile.

Teacher Tip: The"New versecreation" is athe littlekey longphrase for ages 4-6. FocusRepeat firstit onoften. theA key phrase: "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners." The other lines can be taught asgreat call-and-responseresponse: (teacher says first"In phrase,Christ, we are a..." and kids doshout the"NEW gestureCREATION!" andwhile repeat).flapping their butterfly wings.

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "Who NeedsBreak the Doctor?"Chain" Sorting GameRelay

Children sorttake pictureturns cards"breaking" paper chain links to free a paper figure of peoplethe andwild situationsman. intoEach "Thinkschain theylink arehas healthy"something andJesus "Knowsis theystronger needthan (sin, fear, anger, selfishness, lying, bad words, etc.). The game ends with the Doctor"wild piles.man Thefigure twist:flipped atover to reveal the end,new EVERYman cardwith endsa upshiny in the "Needs the Doctor" pile, because every heart is sick.heart.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that everyJesus personis more powerful than any sin that has aus sinfultrapped. heartOnly andJesus needscan Jesus.set Nous one is saved by being "good enough."free.

🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

  • A setpaper figure of picture cards showing different people: a grumpy child, a kind 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,man, with a mix“wild” thatdrawing couldon makeone kidsside "sort"(torn themclothes, angry face, dark heart) and a “new” drawing on the other side (clean clothes, smiling, shiny heart). Make two so two teams can race.
  • 8-10 paper chain links, each labeled with a word or picture: SIN, FEAR, ANGER, SELFISHNESS, LYING, MEAN WORDS, PRIDE, WORRY
  • Tape the chain links together into gooda andloop bad)
    • around
  • Twoeach signs:paper "Thinksfigure, They Are Healthy" and "Knows They Needso the Doctor"figure is “trapped.”
  • A small toy doctor kit or a picture of Jesus (or a Bible to behold up as the "doctor")“winner”

🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: LayShow the two signs onchildren the floor.paper Shufflefigure trapped inside the picturechain. cards.Say: “This is the wild man. The chains are all the things that hold him in sin. Can the chains hold him forever?” Kids shout: “NO! Jesus is stronger!”

Step 2: LetDivide eachchildren into two teams (or take turns if the group is small). One child pickat a cardtime runs up, reads or names what is on the chain link, and decide:rips "Doesit thisoff person(tears think they are healthy, or do they know they needalong the Doctor?" Place the card under one of the signs.tape).

Step 4: HaveWhen every chain is broken, flip the childrenpaper helpfigure moveover everyto card intoreveal the "Knows“new Theyman” Needwith the Doctor"shiny pile.heart. CheerEveryone together:cheers: "EVERYONE“A needsnew Jesus!"creation!”

Step 5: Ask:Teacher "asks: “Who is the only DoctorOne whostrong canenough healto abreak sickthe heart?"chains of sin?” (Jesus!) "Did“And what does Jesus comedo forto 'prettyour good'hearts people,when orHe forsaves sinners who know they need Him?"us?” (Sinners!Makes them new!)

Craft: "FollowCaterpillar Me"to HeartButterfly FlapMemory CardVerse

Children makecolor a cardcaterpillar withon one side of a darkfolded heartcard and a butterfly on the frontother thatside. flips up to reveal a clean, red heart behind it, withInside the wordscard "Jesusis callsthe sinners."memory verse. When closed, it shows the caterpillar (old, crawling, sinful heart). When opened, the butterfly appears (new creation in Christ). This is a simple take-home visual of what2 JesusCorinthians does for hearts that come to Him.5:17.

Materials: Half sheet of white cardstock (folded in halfhalf, a pre-printed caterpillar outline (to be glued to makethe a card)front), a pre-cutprinted darkbutterfly grey or black heart shapeoutline (aboutto 3be inches)glued inside on the right page), a pre-cut red heart shape (slightly smaller), glue sticks, crayons or markers, glue sticks, the memory verse printed on a small strips.strip.

The Activity:

  • Step 1: On the front of the folded card, glue the REDcaterpillar. heartColor init thewith center.brown, Writegreen, and yellow. Above it write: “Old heart” or stamp“The "Jesus"old abovehas it.passed away.”
  • Step 2: GlueOpen the DARKcard. heart on TOP ofOn the redright heart,inside but onlypage, glue along the topbutterfly. edgeColor soit thewith darkbright heartcolors. liftsAbove upit likewrite: a“New flap to reveal the red heart underneath.creation!”
  • Step 3: On top of the darkleft heart,inside draw or write a simple sad face, or the word "Me."
  • Step 4: Inside the card,page, glue the memory verse strip: "I“Therefore, haveif notanyone comeis toin callChrist, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the righteousnew buthas sinners to repentance."come.” (Luke2 Corinthians 5:32)17)
  • Step 5:4: Decorate the outside of the card with stickers or crayons.extra drawings.
  • Take Home: Children show their family by closing and liftopening the flapcard: to“Before tellJesus, theI story:was "Mylike hearta iscaterpillar with a dark because of sin, butheart. Jesus calls sinners and makes theirme heartsa rednew andcreation, clean!"like a butterfly!”

Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that You cameare tostronger savethan sinners.every sin. Thank You that no one is too far from You areto notbe afraidsaved. ofPlease darkchange our hearts, becausemake us new creations, and help us tell others what You camehave to heal them. Help us to know that we need You every day. Help us to tell our friends and family that You are the doctor for sick hearts.done. In 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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