Lesson 5: A soldier’s faith in Jesus.
Passage: Matthew 8:5-13 - In this story, a Roman soldier comes to Jesus and asks him to heal his servant who is paralyzed. Jesus asks if he should go to his home to heal the servant, but the soldier says that he knows Jesus can just say the word and his servant will be healed. Jesus is impressed by the soldier’s faith and says that he hasn’t found this kind of faith in all Israel, and that the kingdom of God will be full of people from all cultures and nations in the world. Then Jesus tells the soldier to go home, and the servant is healed instantly.
Big Idea: We can have faith in Jesus.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: I Spy — Activity Leader
The leader picks an object in the room that everyone can see and says “I spy with my little eye, something that is [colour].” The kids will guess what it is.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles!
Can anyone remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far?
Which miracle of Jesus do you like best? Why?
Today’s miracle has to do with a soldier who’s servant was sick and he came to Jesus for help.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Do you think that you could make something move by using just your mind?
Do you think it’s pretty cool that Jesus could heal someone without even seeing them, but just by saying it?
Why do you think Jesus has the power to do that?
Do you think that Jesus has the power to answer your prayers?
What kind of things would you want to pray to God about?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for this story of the soldier who trusted in you, and how you answered his prayer and healed his servant. Please help us to also trust in your power to answer our prayers. Thank you that you love and care about us, and everyone in the world no matter who they are, just like you cared about the Roman soldier. Please help us to share your love and kindness with others too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Soldier Cut Outs — Activity Leader
Pre-cut pieces of a solider will be provided for the kids to glue together on a separate piece of construction paper. They can colour and decorate their picture with crayons and markers.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Guess The Word — Activity Leader
The leader thinks of a word in their head (something simple and not too abstract, an object rather than a concept), and the kids have to ask “yes or no” questions to try to find out what the word is that they’re thinking of.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles!
Can anyone remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far?
Which miracle of Jesus do you like best? Why?
Today’s miracle has to do with a soldier who’s servant was sick and he came to Jesus for help.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Do you think that you could make something move by using just your mind?
Do you think it’s pretty cool that Jesus could heal someone without even seeing them, but just by saying it?
Why do you think Jesus has the power to do that?
Do you think that Jesus has the power to answer your prayers?
What kind of things would you want to pray to God about?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for this story of the soldier who trusted in you, and how you answered his prayer and healed his servant. Please help us to also trust in your power to answer our prayers. Thank you that you love and care about us, and everyone in the world no matter who they are, just like you cared about the Roman soldier. Please help us to share your love and kindness with others too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Soldier Cut Outs — Activity Leader
Pre-cut pieces of a solider will be provided for the kids to glue together on a separate piece of construction paper. They can colour and decorate their picture with crayons and markers.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles.
Can anyone remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far?
What is something you’ve learned from these stories?
Today’s story is about a Roman soldier who’s servant was sick, and so he came to Jesus for help.
Do you think it’s a little bit surprising for a Roman soldier to come to Jesus? Why or why not?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have any of you ever tried to make something happen by just using your mind?
What do you think about the fact that Jesus was able to heal someone without even seeing them?
Is it easy or hard to believe that Jesus has the power to do anything and to make miracles happen?
Why do you think Jesus emphasized the fact that he found more faith in this Roman soldier than anyone in Israel? (He was emphasizing that the kingdom of God is for everyone, not just the Israelites who thought of themselves as the people of God)
What are some ways that we can build our faith and trust in Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for this story about how you healed the man in the story and how it teaches us that you have the power to do anything, even by just saying the word. Please help us to grow in our faith just like the Roman soldier, and help us to see that your kingdom is big enough for everyone, so that we can learn to love others no matter who they are or how different they are from us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Sand Art — Bible Story Leader
Using white glue bottles, kids will outline the drawing of the Roman soldier, pour colourful sand on it, and shake off the sand to create the art.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus being able to heal a person without even seeing them?
Do you think the soldier in the story had a strong faith in God? Why do you think so?
Do you think that Jesus hears you when you pray?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus being able to heal a person without even seeing them?
Do you think the soldier in the story had a strong faith in God? Why do you think so?
Do you think Jesus can make miracles happen today? Like what?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus being able to heal a person without even seeing them?
What do you think we can learn from the soldier’s faith?
Do you think that miracles still happen today? What are some examples?
