Great Fast Week 6: Man Born Blind

OBJECTIVE

The gospel reading on the sixth Sunday of the Great Fast (John 9:1-41) tells us about the great miracle that our Lord Jesus Christ performed in giving sight to a man who was born blind. During the season of Lent, we are reminded that Christ is the True Light and He is the only cure to those who are spiritually blind and sitting in darkness.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Guide the children to a discussion about Who created them and every part of them (their ears, hands, feet, eyes, etc.). Review/teach them about the five senses that God created each one of us with (vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). Ask the children to consider what it would be like if they could not see. Turn off all the lights in the classroom and ask them what they can see now. Nothing... it's just darkness. Talk to them how it is a blessing to be able to see.

In today's lesson, the students will hear a story about a man who was born blind, meaning he was not able to see anything around him.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

The story of the miracle of the healing of the man born blind can be found in John 9:1-7.

Memory Verse: "The Lord opens the eyes of the blind." (Psalms 146:8)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes

There was once a man who was born blind and was not able to see anything around him. He never knew what his parents or friends looked like. He did not know what the trees, flowers, or animals looked like. He had never seen the sky, the sun, the moon, or the stars.

One day as Jesus was walking along, He noticed a man who was blind (which means he couldn't see). Jesus had compassion on this man and wanted to help him and heal him. Jesus spat on the ground to make some mud out of the dirt. He took the mud that He made and put it on the blind man's eyes. Then Jesus told the man to go wash his eyes in a pool of water (called the pool of Siloam), and the man obeyed and did as he was told.

As the water washed away the mud from his eyes, something amazing started to happen The man started to see light instead of darkness He opened his eyes and looked around. He began to see everything around him for the first time: the blue sky, the sun, the birds, the green trees, the colorful flowers, the animals, and all the people.

How wonderful it was for him to finally see the faces of his parents and those he loves The man was so excited that he went around the town and told everyone that a man named Jesus had put mud on his eyes, told him to wash it off with water, and after doing what He said, the man was able to see He must have been very happy and thankful to Jesus for healing him.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

Review the lesson and engage the students in a discussion by asking them the following questions:

  • What did our Lord do when He saw the man born blind? He had compassion on him, and He healed him
  • How did our Lord Jesus heal the man born blind? He made clay or mud by spitting on the ground, anointed the blind man's eyes with it, and told him to go and wash in the pool of water
  • What was the name of the pool that Jesus asked the blind man to wash his face in? The pool of Siloam
  • Was the blind man able to see after he washed his eyes? Yes
  • What does it mean to be compassionate or to have compassion? Having compassion means to care about each other, treating everyone with kindness, and having a desire to help others
  • How can we be compassionate to each other? Encourage the students to come up with their own answers. Some ideas include: sharing our snacks with someone who is hungry or helping a friend when they fall

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Whenever we are upset, worried, sick, or need help with anything, we should always turn to God and ask Him to be with us. The gospel reading of the man born blind shows us that God will always have compassion on us and deliver us from any trials or tribulations that we may have.

ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes

Option 1: Coloring page

Print out the "Man Born Blind Coloring Page" and have the students color the picture. Have the students write the memory verse onto their paper (younger children may need help).

Option 2: Jigsaw Puzzle

Materials:

  • Scissors
  • Plain sheets of printer/construction paper
  • Glue (optional)

Instructions:

  • Print out a copy of the "Man Born Blind Jigsaw Puzzle" for each student
  • Start by having the students cut out the puzzle along the red, dotted lines (servants of younger grade levels should either help to cut out the puzzle or have the puzzle pieces already cut out prior to class time)
  • Give each student a piece of printer/construction paper
  • Mix up the puzzle pieces and have the students re-assemble the puzzle on their paper
  • Optional: Have the students glue the puzzle pieces onto their paper to recreate the image

Option 3: Blind Man Healed Paddles

Materials:

  • Construction paper
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Scissors
  • Vis a Vis/dry erase markers (preferably brown)
  • A bowl of water
  • Paper towels

Instructions:

  • Prior to the lesson, cut construction paper into circles and draw faces on them (open eyes and a smiling mouth) and laminate them
  • Attach a popsicle stick to each face in order to create a paddle
  • Give each child a paddle and have them color over the eyes with a brown Vis a Vis or dry erase marker
  • Then, give them a baby wipe or a wet napkin to wash away the "mud" from the man's eyes

SERVANT RESOURCES

Short video on the healing of the man born blind

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Review the story of the man born blind. Pray to our Lord that He may have compassion on us, heal us, and forgive our sins.

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

Man Born Blind Jigsaw Puzzle (Grade KG-2).pdf

The Man Born Blind Coloring Page (Grade KG-2).pdf