Great Fast Week 5: Paralyzed Man

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this lesson is for the students to learn about the power and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also important to understand that only Jesus can forgive sins because He is God.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

To begin the lesson, bring a bucket of water and a stick or something to stir the water with to provide a visual for the students. Alternatively, the lesson may be reenacted with a blue blanket and toys (see additional instructions in the Activity section below)

Ask the students: "What was the longest time you had to stay in bed? How did you feel? Bored, tired?"

Explain: "Today we will learn about someone who was stuck in his bed for a very long time 38 years

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Reference: John 5:1-18

Memory Verse - "Rise, take up your bed and walk." (John 5:8).

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

In Jerusalem, there was a special pool called the Pool of Bethesda. Once a year, an angel would come down and stir the water in the pool. The first person to get into the pool while it was being stirred would immediately be healed from whatever sickness they had. Many people would sit and wait by the pool so that they could be the first one in.

One day, Jesus was walking by the pool and saw a sick man who was laying on his mat or bed. The man was paralyzed, which meant that he couldn't walk. In fact, he had been paralyzed for 38 years, which is a very long time Jesus knew that he had been sick for a long time. When Jesus saw the man, He said, "Do you want to be made well?" The man said: "Yes, but there's no one to help me get into the pool when the water is moved." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." Right away, the man was made well, got up, and was able to walk All the people who saw him walking were very surprised and were asking him who had healed him, and he told them that it was Jesus who had healed him.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Review

Why did sick people sit by the pool? Answer: They wanted to be healed
How many years had the one man been sick for? Answer: 38 years
What did Jesus say to the paralytic when he healed him? Answer: "Rise, take up your bed, and walk."
Did the paralytic share the news of being healed with anyone? Answer: Yes

LIFE APPLICATION - 2 Minutes

Our Lord Jesus is all-powerful and is able to heal us and help us with anything. If we, or someone we know are sick, we should ask Our Lord for healing.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Option 1 - Reenactment

Place a blue blanket or cloth on the floor for the "pool." Put an old, broken stuffed toy or doll on a pillow "pallet" next to you, to represent the paralyzed man. Give each student a stuffed toy or a doll. Have each child sit with their toy around the pool. Read the first part of the Gospel, up until it introduces the paralyzed man. Shake the "water" and have the children pick up their toys and put them in the water. The first toy to touch the water is "healed"; the rest have to sit back down and wait for the angel to trouble the water again. Continue reading & acting out the Gospel, conducting the conversation between Jesus, the paralyzed man (old, broken toy), and the Jews. Make sure the healed toy picks up his pallet and walks away.

Option 2 - Sequencing/Coloring Activity

Materials needed: construction paper, glue, scissors, crayons/colored pencils, printed images.
See attachment below for images & instructions.

Option 3 - Paralyzed Man Craft

See link for instructions: Healing at the Pool (John 5) | Craft

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

During the children's bedtime prayers, have them pray for those they know who are sick and need to be healed.