During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide and Student Page, can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
You have heard me teach in front of many witnesses. Pass on to people you can trust the things you’ve heard me say. Then they will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2
When we love and follow Jesus, we desire to share our faith with others. Our faith is shown in the things we do, the way we think, and how we interact with others. Passing on the faith to others can also help to strengthen our own faith.
Think of something you have taught the children in your class that also taught you something about God. How did it feel to learn something new? Did this make you stronger in your own faith? Teaching children helps you share facts and information about your faith, but Jesus Christ is the One who will ultimately transform the children you teach. As you prepare for today’s lesson, remember there are still children in your class who may not have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Take a moment to pray that the children will not only hear the words you use in the lesson today but that they would also be transformed by the Saviour of the world!
Encourage families to talk to each other about how they would introduce someone to a friend. Have them pretend to introduce a family member to another. If possible, ask the families to share what they might say to introduce someone to Jesus.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome the children as they enter. Have them find partners. Boys will need to partner with boys and girls will partner with other girls. Ask the children to talk with their partners about something they did to reflect Jesus to someone last week. Have the children stay with their partners.
Today you will work together to stand up. That seems silly! It is easy to stand up. It is not as easy to do when you are trying to do this with someone. Let’s try this. Sit on the ground with your back to your partner’s back. Stretch your arms behind you and link elbows with your partner. You must stay linked to your partner as you try to stand. You may not use your arms to push yourselves off the ground. You will need to talk and work together to get up off the ground. Ready? Go.
Allow time for the pairs to stand up. If any of the pairs struggle to stand up, suggest that they press against each other’s backs as they try to stand. If both partners push back at the same time, it will help them get off the ground.
Wonderful! Now, let’s try it with 4 people. Find another pair and sit together so your backs form a square. Link arms with the child on your right and the child on your left. Now, you will all work together to stand up. Ready? Go.
If needed, you may have some groups of 3. Ask these to form a triangle as they sit with their backs to each other. Allow time for the groups to stand up. If any of the groups struggle, remind them to talk to each other about how they will stand up. Once all the groups are standing, allow the children to sit in their groups for the rest of the lesson.
Great job! I hope you had fun working together. In our story today, we will hear about 4 men who worked together to lower a friend from the roof into a room with Jesus.
Optional: If possible, share the images from The Action Bible.
Our true story from the Bible begins with Jesus talking to a large crowd of people in a building. Four men brought their friend there to see Jesus. The friend could not walk, so the 4 men carried him on a mat to see Jesus. The 4 men knew their friend needed to meet Jesus. The problem was they could not get near Jesus because there were so many people gathered around to see Him.
How could they get their friend who could not walk to see Jesus?
Allow 2–3 children to respond.
There may have been many ways to get the friend to Jesus, but the men chose to climb to the top of the building, dig a hole into the roof, and lower their friend down through the opening they had made. They lowered him down on his mat directly in front of Jesus.
What do you think Jesus said when He saw this man being lowered down by the 4 friends?
Give the children 30 second to respond in their groups.
Listen to what Jesus did.
If possible, read this verse directly from your Bible.
When Jesus saw that they had faith, he spoke to the man. He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 5:20
Who did Jesus notice had faith?
Jesus noticed the 4 men had faith.
What did Jesus tell the man on the mat?
He told the man his sins were forgiven.
The 4 men had done everything they could to help their friend. They had faith in Jesus, and they brought their friend to see Him. All they could do for their friend was to bring Him to Jesus. Their friend had to make the decision to believe He was God’s Son. Jesus saw their faith and told the man on the mat he was forgiven.
Imagine Jesus telling you He had forgiven your sins! Now, all the man needed to do was to accept Jesus’ forgiveness. Jesus told the man to get up and go home. The man chose to believe Jesus, so he got up and walked! Can you imagine seeing this happen? Do you think this might help you to believe in Jesus as well? Let’s hear what the Bible says happened to the people who were there watching all of this happen.
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with wonder. They said, “We have seen unusual things today.”
Luke 5:26
Everyone saw this unusual thing take place. It was a miracle! They were amazed and filled with wonder. They gave praise to God for what had happened!
Sometimes seeing what God is doing in our lives can help others learn about Him and believe in Him. While we may not all experience miracles, we have things that God does in our lives that can help others to know and believe in Him.
Have you ever seen or experienced something amazing? What was it?
Allow 2–3 children to respond. You may also choose to tell a story about a time God did something amazing in your own life.
Sharing what God has done is a good way to help others know more about Him.
Saying the Gospel in Simple Words is one way you can share the good news of Jesus with others. Let’s try saying this together.
Say the Gospel in Simple Words with the motions. Encourage the children to say it with you.
Now, all that is left is for us is to accept God’s gift of forgiveness, just as the man who could not walk did in today’s story.
The Gospel in Simple Words can help you to introduce others to Jesus. Remember, not everyone may be safe to talk to about Jesus. But knowing this gospel message can also help you to live your life in a way that shows your faith to others. When you accept that your sins are forgiven, it can help you to forgive and love others.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, allow the children to cut or tear out the man and the carpet. Help them poke pens or pencils through the carpet and pull their strings through the holes. Then give them a minute to act out dropping the carpet down through the roof.
Let’s work together to help someone learn more about Jesus. For this activity, you will work in your groups of 4 you created at the beginning of class. I will tell you about an imaginary friend who you can introduce to Jesus. After I tell you about this friend, you will work as a group to decide how best to tell him about Jesus.
My imaginary friend is your age. His family is not Christian. In fact, his family does not like Christians. This friend of mine is very sad because he does not know his father. He is often lonely because his mother works all the time. His family is very poor, and he does not think that there is anything good about his life.
What could you do to help my friend learn about Jesus?
Remind the children your friend’s family does not like Christians and he does not think there is anything good about his life. Allow 2–3 minutes for the children to talk in their groups. Then ask 3–4 groups to share their thoughts about how they can show the friend who Jesus is.
While we could share the Gospel in Simple Words with this friend, I do not think it would be a good idea for this to be the first thing we share with him. His family does not like Christians, so he would probably not want to hear the Gospel. Also, it might be dangerous for us to share this with him. I might start by being kind to this friend. You could show him the love of Jesus by listening to him and helping him.
That may be all you ever share with this friend. Or he may someday ask you why you are so kind and have so much hope. If he asks, you may choose to share the Gospel in Simple Words. Let’s say the Gospel in Simple Words together once more.
Repeat the words and motions for the Gospel in Simple Words 3 times.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
End class by saying this blessing, based on Luke 5:20, 26, over the children.
Blessing: May you have faith to accept that you can be forgiven. May your faith help others come to know Jesus.
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
