Curriculum
Jesus Heals a Blind Man
Memory Verse:
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus wants to be our friend, and He allows things to happen in our lives. We have the choice in how we respond to Him and our circumstances. Jesus wants us to adore and thank Him in everything.
Scripture Summary
In the Jewish culture, it was common for hardship or sickness to be a result of one’s sin. In today’s world, though, behavior doesn’t always see natural consequences (reward for good behavior and punishment for bad behavior).
Hezekiah built the pool of Siloam (2 Chronicles 32:30) as part of an underground tunnel to bring water from outside to inside the city.
Jesus and His disciples came upon a blind man. Rather than pointing to sins committed by this man or his parents, Jesus intentionally healed this man as a way to bring glory (honor, recognition, adoration) to God.
Throughout John 9, there were different reactions to Jesus healing the blind man.
- The neighbors questioned if this was even the same man and were skeptical of the healing. They wanted to know who healed him and how it happened.
- The Pharisees questioned the blind man twice and his parents once. They accused Jesus of being a sinner for healing on the Sabbath and couldn’t believe the healing.
- The blind man’s parents believed Jesus healed their son, but they kept quiet because they were afraid of the Jewish people and didn’t want to be excluded from society.
- The man who was healed freely shared his story of blindness and healing. He didn’t know Jesus personally yet but grew steadily in his faith.
Why Is This Important
Regardless of our circumstances, we have the choice of whether or not we point others to Jesus and give Him glory.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
True Contentment
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13
Paul’s life was filled with such diverse circumstances. He started out as an aggressive persecutor of Christians. And then Paul’s life after surrendering to God’s plan was far from smooth. Paul traveled tirelessly, was robbed, went hungry, was shipwrecked, suffered in prison, and even was bitten by a snake. Paul also experienced the goodness of God, was miraculously transformed by God, and treasured close friendships in ministry.
And yet, Paul penned the words, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” The secret? Paul knew to draw near to Jesus and draw from His strength. We can’t arrive at contentment in our own strength.
As I reflect on this passage, I often think of extreme circumstances. Sometimes it’s easier for me to choose (and remember) contentment in Christ in the big events: the birth of a child, a dire medical diagnosis, moving into a new house, the loss of a job, and obtaining an advanced degree.
But what about the small stuff? Am I choosing Christ’s contentment as I end up in the long line at the store, as I cuddle with a family member, as I run late for an appointment, as a friend interrupts my plans to chat, and as I am elbow-deep in house chores?
Choosing to be content in Christ is one of the best ways to bring Him glory and to point others to Him. And yes, as Paul models for us so well, this can be done regardless of our current circumstances–big or small.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for freely offering Your peace, contentment, and strength. Please help me remember You in the highs, lows, and everyday happenings. In my contentment, please allow me to point others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5
Have children face each other in two lines. Have children follow these steps to learn the memory verse:
- Start with one line saying, “While I am in the world.”
- The other line responds, “I am the light of the world.”
- The facing children slap one another’s hands (like patty-cake) and say, “John 9:5.”
- Do this three times.
- Then switch what each line says and do it three more times.
Continue this until children can say the verse from memory. Encourage children to go faster and faster.
Remind children to share their Bible memory verse with their families.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bible
SAY: I’m going to ask you to do some silly things. Let’s see if you can do all of them at once.
Give children these instructions:
- Rub your stomach.
- Pat your head.
- Pat your head and rub your stomach at the same time.
- Keep doing both those motions and hop on one foot.
- Keep patting your head, rubbing your stomach, and hopping on one foot. Then turn around in a circle.
Afterward, have children sit down. ASK:
- How did it feel to do those silly things?
- What would you do if God was the one telling you to do those silly things?
SAY: In the Bible today, we learn that Jesus healed a blind man. But it seems like Jesus did it in a silly way. Let’s read about what Jesus did.
Read John 9:1-7.
SAY: Jesus spit on the ground and made mud. Then Jesus put it on the blind man’s eyes. Does that seem kind of silly to you? Couldn’t Jesus just have said, “You’re healed,” and it would have happened?
After putting mud on the man’s eyes, Jesus said, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam.” I want you to imagine what that looked like. There’s a crowd of people who’ve had their baths for the day. And this man with mud all over his face is stumbling through the crowd. Do you think the man felt silly? Why or why not?
(Teacher: If you feel comfortable, tell the children about a time that you felt like God asked you to do something silly. Perhaps God told you to give a message to a stranger or God told you to leave some money on a park bench. Share with children what God told you to do, what you did, and any results from your actions.)
ASK:
- What would you do if God told you to do something that felt silly like…
- Sing a song by yourself in front of everyone at church?
- Take off your shoes and give them to a homeless child?
- Shout, “I love Jesus!” as loud as you can in a park?
SAY: I imagine that the blind man was willing to do anything to be healed. Perhaps he had already seen every doctor he could and tried every way to get well. The blind man was desperate to see God’s work demonstrated in his life.
God doesn’t ask us to do silly things but they may feel silly. The important thing is to be desperate to see God at work in our lives, so let’s do whatever God tells us to do.
Snack
Mud Snacks
You’ll Need: “Jesus Heals a Blind Man How-To” video, Crushed Oreo cookies, Chocolate pudding (store-bought or homemade), Gummy worms, Plastic cups, Plastic spoons, Napkins
Have children follow these steps to make their Mud Snacks.
- Take a cup of pudding.
- Crush two Oreo cookies.
- Sprinkle the crumbled Oreo cookies on the pudding.
- Press a gummy worm into the pudding.
- Enjoy.
Game
Trust Walk Game
Have children hold on to one another's waists and walk around a designated area with their eyes closed, with the teacher at the head of the line. To make the Trust Walk a little more active and more fun, try these actions:
- Skip
- Jump
- Run
- Hop
When the game is over, lead children in this discussion:
- What was it like to follow the leader with your eyes closed?
- What helped you trust the people in front of you?
SAY: The blind man had to trust Jesus because He put mud on the blind man’s eyes. And then Jesus told the man to go to the pool of Siloam to wash his eyes. That had to take trust too.
ASK:
- Why do you think the blind man trusted Jesus?
SAY: If the blind man had not trusted Jesus, he would not have been healed. And God’s works would not have been revealed in him. We need to trust Jesus too. What is something you need to trust Jesus for today?
Craft
Mud Paint
You’ll Need: “Jesus Heals a Blind Man” coloring page printed on card stock paper, Finger paints, Newspaper or a tablecloth to protect the table, Wipes or some way to clean hands
Have children use the finger paint to color the “Jesus Heals a Blind Man” coloring page. Remind children that Jesus put mud on the blind man’s eyes and they can do the same with brown paint.
After the paintings are done, clean up and set the pictures aside to dry.
Prayer
“I Will Obey” Prayer
SAY: For our prayer today, I’m going to name some things that God tells us to do that may feel silly sometimes. If you feel comfortable and want to commit to obey, simply pray “I will obey” after each thing I name.
Name these things, pausing after each one for children to pray.
- Go to church every Sunday even though our friends don’t go.(pause)
- Pray about everything. (pause)
- Stop saying bad words even if other kids say them. (pause)
- Read our Bibles when we would rather watch television.(pause)
- Tell others about Jesus even if we are scared to do so. (pause)
Close the prayer, thanking God for healing the blind man and letting people see Him at work.
