Why is prayer often a last resort? Why do we think, “well, that was the least I could do,” when we pray for someone? The first and greatest thing we can do for someone is pray. We may feel like we could do more, and there are times we can, but let us start by giving the situation, the person, the event to our God who can do immeasurably more than we ever could.
As we look at this week’s lesson, we are going to see four friends that truly understood the power of what Jesus could do. They did not allow anything to stop them from bringing their friend to Jesus so he could be healed. These men dug through a roof to get their friend to the feet of Jesus. We may not need to dig through a roof to bring someone we care about to the feet of Jesus, but we should hit our knees to do so. The most powerful thing we can do for the people we care about, or for any situation, is to pray—to bring it to the feet of Jesus.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: Jesus’ healing is amazing. (The Four Friends • Mark 2:1-12)
Memory Verse: “Everyone who heard Him was amazed.” Luke 2:47, NIV
Key Question: Who is amazing?
Bottom Line: Jesus is amazing.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the first video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in “Bringing Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship. Most of us think of worship as just singing. But whatever you do, if you do it for God, then you are worshiping God. So, help show your kids this concept as you sing and dance with them for our amazing God.
Bible Story Video – The Four Friends
Worship – He Is Amazing
Worship – Joyful Noise
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice the verse with your kids. We will practice this verse all month so think of a reward you can give them at the end of the month when they say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce what they have learned.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page – 2 Pages
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory verse again. Jesus still has the power to heal and make people better. Jesus wants us to talk to Him when we do not feel well, when we have a friend who does not feel well, or when someone in our family does not feel well. He wants us to talk to Him and trust Him with everything! So make a list with your family people who need Jesus to help them feel better (you’ll use the list when you pray.)
PRAYER: “Dear God, thank You for giving us Jesus to be our friend forever. Thank You that He loves us and wants to help us. We know Jesus has the power to heal us and make us better. Please help (read the list your family made.) We trust that Jesus will always help us do hard things. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
Matthew 19:14
