Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

We pray for our owies every service in my class.  When I say that its time to pray, each child wants to show me their owie that they want to pray for.  It's quite adorable, nearly comical, to watch them search for the littlest scratch that they may have to pray for.  They are actually disappointed when they don't have an owie to pray for.  In that case, I tell them that they can help their friend pray for their owie.  Before we pray I tell them to put their hand on their owie to show Jesus where it is, because He is the only one that can heal all of their owies.  Their child-like faith is very evident in this moment, as they come to know Jesus as their healer.

Bible Truth: Jesus heals me.
Bible Story: Jesus heals a man who could not walk when his friends bring him to Jesus.
Bible Study: Luke 5:17-26; Mark 2:1-12; 1 Peter 2:24; Psalms 103:1-3

teach

 

Here are a couple different visuals to show as you narrate or read this story from a children's Bible.

diorama drama

This story also lends itself well to a 3-D diorama dramatization in order to show the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof.  I created my diorama by inserting felt into a shoe box and then placing my flannel graph characters into the box.  I made the paralyzed man and the bed according to the craft instructions found below.  I tied yarn to the four corners of the bed, and used a craft stick on top of the box to hold the man in place after lowering him down.  Release the yarn from the stick, so that after Jesus heals him the man can stand up, and "carry" his bed.  (See the craft tutorial below.)

bend and tell

This is such a simple and genius way to tell this story!  I have seen it a few different places, but I have no idea where the concept originated.  All you need is four strips of card stock or tag board, a hole punch and three brads.  I found the version displayed below here.

http://kirstymcallister.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/in-memory-of-uncle-tom.html

 

play

 

four friend weave

The four friends in the story did not give up on helping their friend.  In fact their faith is quite commendable!  In this game four children work together like the friends in the story.  You will need:

• a pillowcase
• a doll or stuffed animal
• field cones or chairs

Setup a few cones staggered across the room.  Have all the children line up at one end of the room.  Choose one child to be "Jesus" and stand at the other end of the room.  Choose four children to be the four friends.   Their task is to each hold a corner of the pillowcase, carrying the doll or stuffed animal, and weave around the cones to bring their "friend" to Jesus.  If they drop their "friend" they must go back to the beginning.  When they reach the end, have the child who is "Jesus" repeat after you saying, "Your sins are forgiven.  Arise, take up your bed and walk."  Everyone claps and celebrates, thanking Jesus for healing their "friend".  Repeat, giving each child the opportunity to be a "friend" and/or "Jesus".

 

craft

 

coloring page

Here is a coloring page to accompany this story.  I suggest gluing four pieces of yarn for the ropes attached to the bed, and gluing a piece of cloth on the blanket covering the man.  

band-aid art

In this week's story, Jesus forgives the man's sin and heals him.  Print this simple activity sheet based on Psalms 103:2-3.  Have the children color the heart, and then let them stick a few band-aids on the heart.  Kids love the opportunity to put band-aids on by themselves!

 

arise and walk

This is the man and bed that I used in the diorama.  The children can each make their own to take home and retell the story.  You will need:

• this man template (printed on card stock)
• felt
• craft sticks
• scissors
• crayons glue
• hole punch
• brad
• permanent marker

This man's legs did not work.  He could not walk.  His friends had to carry him on his bed.

Jesus healed him!  He forgave the man's sin, and told him to take up his bed and go to his house.

To prepare cut out the man templates, and cut felt into 4 1/2" x 2 1/4" rectangles.  Punch a whole in the center of the man's body.

In class, help the children glue their felt pieces to craft sticks.  Have them color the man, then attach the the man to the felt with the brad.