Lesson 6: The mystery of the widow’s son.
Passage: Luke 7:11-17 - Once when Jesus was in a town called Nain, he approached the town gates and saw a man who had died* and was being carried out, he was the only son of his mother who was a widow. There was a large crowd surrounding her, and Jesus felt compassion for her. He said to her, “don’t cry” and went up to the man being carried out, touched him, and said, “Young man, get up!” The man got up, and Jesus returned him to his mother. Everyone who saw praised God and said, “God has come to help us.”
* Note: For our kids lessons we are speaking of the son as being “very sick”
Big Idea: Jesus reveals God’s love.
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 and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Freeze Dance — Activity Leader
There will be a mini speaker set up, which the leader can turn on and off. Kids dance while the music is playing and freeze whenever the music stops.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about one more of Jesus’ miracles.
Does anyone remember any of the other miracles of Jesus we’ve learned about so far?
What do you think about all these miracles that Jesus did? Why do you think Jesus was able to do so many miracles?
Today we’ll learn about a time when Jesus met an old lady who’s son was very sick and she was very worried about him.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember why the old lady in the story was so sad?
What did Jesus do when he saw her crying?
What did all the people think when they saw the miracle?
Can you think of some signs in the world that God loves and cares for us?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of the old woman and her son, and how Jesus saw how sad the woman was that her son was sick, and he healed him. Thank you that we can learn from this story that you really love us, that you know about all the times we feel sad or lonely, and that you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Healing the Widow’s Son Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold and colour the template, and will glue or tape the boy to the page.
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 near the TV. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Freeze Tag — Activity Leader
One person will be “it” and will run around tagging others. Those who are tagged have to freeze in place, with their arms stretched out in a T-shape. They can be un-frozen if another kid runs under their stretched out arm.
Do several short rounds with different kids being “it” each time.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about one more of Jesus’ miracles - it’s our last one before we start a brand new Christmas series next Sunday!
Does anyone remember any of the other miracles of Jesus we’ve learned about so far?
What do you think about all these miracles that Jesus did? Why do you think he was able to do so many miracles?
Today we’ll learn about a time when Jesus met an old lady who’s son was very sick and she was so worried about him.
Let’s watch our video to find out more...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember why the old lady in the story was so sad?
What did Jesus do when he saw her crying?
What did all the people watching think when they saw the miracle?
Can you think of some signs in the world that God loves and cares for us?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of the old woman and her son, and how Jesus saw how sad the woman was that her son was sick, and he healed him. Thank you that we can learn from this story that you really love us, that you know about all the times we feel sad or lonely, and that you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Healing the Widow’s Son Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold and colour the template, and will glue or tape the boy to the page.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Dice Rolling Game — Activity Leader
The first player rolls six dice; there will a chart which shows how to score points; dice that score points are tallied and set aside.
The player then has the option to end their turn by recording their points on a score sheet, or rolling the remaining dice (that didn’t earn points) again; if one or more of these dice score points on the second roll, they can be tallied and set aside.
Again, the player chooses whether to end their turn or continue rolling the remaining dice for points; If at any time the player rolls the dice and none of them score points, they will lose all the points from that turn.
If, in one turn, all six dice earn points (either in one or multiple rolls), the player may choose to continue their turn by rolling six dice again, and so on. However, if the dice are rolled again and no points are earned, the player loses all points from that turn.
Once a player ends their turn, the dice are then passed clockwise to the next player and the game continues.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week 6 of our series on Jesus’ miracles. It’s the last week before we start a brand new Christmas series next Sunday!
Today’s story is all about an old lady who had a husband and a son. First she lost her husband, and then her son got very sick - so sick that she was afraid she was going to lose him too.
Let’s watch the video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what the old lady’s problem was at the beginning of the story?
It’s always sad to lose loved ones, but why was it especially scary for this old lady in Jesus' time? (most women at that time, especially older women, depended on their husbands or sons to provide for them, since they didn't have a lot of opportunities to work and make their own money)
What was Jesus’ reaction when he saw the old lady crying?
What was it that the people said when they saw the miracle and what did the miracle mean to them?
Do you think that there are signs in the world around us or in our personal lives that show that God loves and cares for us? What are some examples?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus healed the old lady’s son. Thank you for what the story teaches us about your heart, how you have compassion when you see us going through difficult or challenging times, just like Jesus had compassion for the lady who lost her husband and thought she was going to lose her son too. Please help us to pay attention to all the signs around us every day that you are there and that you love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Healing the Widow’s Son Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will fold and colour the template, and will glue or tape the boy to the page.
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?
Why was the woman so sad at the beginning of the story?
What did Jesus do when he saw how sad she was?
What did all the people around them do and think when they saw the miracle?
Do you think that we can see God’s love all around us? What are some ways that we can see it?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the problem that the woman had at the beginning of the story?
What did Jesus do when he saw what was happening?
What do you think the story teaches us about God?
Can you think of some ways we can see God’s love all around us?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the problem the woman had at the beginning of the story? Why was it especially hard in her society for a woman to lose her husband and son?
How did Jesus respond when he saw what she was going through?
How did the townspeople react when they saw the miracle?
What do you think is the big takeaway from the story? How can we apply it to our own lives?
