The Host: What He Sends
Grades 1-6
Nursery - Kindergarten
Four Friends Helped
LESSON DATE & SCRIPTURE:
AUG 9 | Mark 2:1–12
New city catechism question of the week:
Question #32:
What do justification and sanctification mean?
Answer:
Justification means our declared righteousness before God. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness.
Memory Verse: Psalm 103:2–3
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Talk about it together
Jesus was teaching in a house in the town of Capernaum. People came from all around to hear him, and soon the house was packed. Some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to listen too. They were curious about what Jesus was teaching and wanted to know if what he said was true.
That day, four friends brought a man who could not walk to see Jesus. They loved their friend and believed Jesus could help him. But when they arrived, the house was so crowded they could not get inside. The friends did not give up. They climbed onto the roof, made an opening, and carefully lowered their friend down on his mat until he was right in front of Jesus.
When Jesus saw the faith of the friends, he said to the man, "Your sins are forgiven." Some of the religious leaders were surprised. They thought, "Only God can forgive sins!" They did not understand that Jesus is God's Son and has the authority to forgive sins.
Then Jesus said to the man, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go home." Immediately, the man stood up, picked up his mat, and walked home. Everyone was amazed and praised God.
Jesus did more than heal the man's body. He forgave his sins. Jesus has the power to heal, forgive sin, and give new life to everyone who trusts in him.
Family discussion
Who came to hear Jesus teach?
How did the friends bring the paralyzed man to Jesus?
What did Jesus say to the man first?
What was the man able to do after Jesus healed him?
Family prayer
Dear God, thank you for your great power to heal our bodies and our hearts. Help us trust you completely each day. Amen.