Lesson 2: The mystery of the official’s son.
Passage: John 4:46-54 - Once when Jesus was visiting Cana in Galilee, there was a royal official who’s son was very sick. He heard that Jesus was in town and went to him to beg him to heal his son. Jesus simply said, “Go, your son will be healed.” The man took Jesus at his word and left. While he was still on his way, his servants met him and told him the news that his son was healed. When he asked about what time his son was healed, he learned that it was at the exact time that Jesus said, “your son will be healed.” So he and his whole household believed.
Big Idea: Jesus’ words have power and authority.
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: Simon Says — Activity Leader — 3 minutes
The activity leader is Simon; tell the kids that whenever you say “Simon says” they have to follow the instruction (ie. sit down, stand up, touch the wall, jump on one foot, etc). But if you do not say “Simon says” first, then they don’t do it. Play a couple rounds of this.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going be learning about another one of Jesus miracles and solving the mystery of what the miracle means for us.
Last Sunday we learned about a miracle where Jesus was able to make coins come out of the mouth of a fish. From that story, we learned that God takes care of our needs, sometimes in funny or surprising ways.
What are some ways that God takes care of you and your needs?
Today we’re going to learn about a time when Jesus healed a little boy who was very sick.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what was the job of the man who’s son was sick?
Do you think that royal officials are pretty powerful or important people?
Why do you think this man went to Jesus to heal his son even though he had lots of money and could pay for all the best doctors in the palace?
How did Jesus end up healing this man’s son in the end?
Do you think we can also trust Jesus as much as this man did? Why do you think we can trust Jesus so much?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for this story we learned today about how you healed a little boy who was very sick. Even though his dad was a very powerful and rich man, and he could go to any doctor in all the land, he decided to go to Jesus because he knew that Jesus had power from God and he could trust him. Please help us to also know that we can trust you to help us with anything. Thank you for how much you love and care for us, and how you listen to us when we pray to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Autumn Leaf Suncatchers — Activity Leader
There will be contact paper and leaves to glue onto them. Paper will be pre-hole punched, and yarn will be tied to it to make it a hanging.
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: Charades — Activity Leader
There will be a list of words that kids can pick from a hat. Leader can help the younger ones read. Kids take turns acting out the words.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going be learning about another one of Jesus miracles and solving the mystery of what the miracle means for us.
Last Sunday we learned about a miracle where Jesus was able to make coins come out of the mouth of a fish.
Can anyone think of what we learned about God from that story of the coins and the fish? (that God takes care of our needs, sometimes in funny or surprising ways)
What are some ways that God takes care of you and your needs?
Today we’re going to learn about a time when Jesus healed a little boy who was very sick.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Does anyone remember what was the job of the man who’s son was sick?
Do you think that royal officials are pretty powerful and important?
Why do you think this man went to Jesus to heal his son even though he had lots of money and could pay for all the best doctors in the palace?
How did Jesus end up healing this man’s son in the end?
Do you think we can also trust Jesus as much as this man did? Why do you think we can trust Jesus so much?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for this story we learned today about how you healed a little boy who was very sick. Even though his dad was a very powerful and rich man, and he could go to any doctor in all the land, he decided to go to Jesus because he knew that Jesus had power from God and he could trust him. Please help us to also know that we can trust you to help us with anything. Thank you for how much you love and care for us, and how you listen to us when we pray to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Autumn Leaf Suncatchers — Activity Leader
There will be contact paper and leaves to glue onto them. Kids can use a hole-punch and yarn to make it into a hanging.
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: Pictionary — Activity Leader
There will be a list of words that kids can pick from a hat. Leader can help the younger ones read. Kids take turns drawing out the words.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week 2 of our new series on Jesus’ miracles. If you were here last week you’ll remember that this series is detective-themed, which means that in each video we are trying to solve the mystery of the meaning of Jesus’ miracles.
Does anyone remember what the miracle was that we learned about last week? (Jesus made coins come out of a fish’ mouth so that he and Peter could pay their temple tax)
What was the meaning of that miracle that we discovered? (That God takes care of our needs, sometimes in surprising ways)
Today’s miracle is all about a man who had a son who was very sick and needed healing.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
So in the Bible we learn that most of Jesus’ followers were actually very normal people. People like Peter and Andrew who were fishermen, or Matthew who was a tax collector… But we also learn that there were other people all around who had heard about Jesus and what he was doing.
Do you remember what the job was of the man who came to Jesus?
Why do you think this man decided to come to Jesus when he needed help to heal his sick son?
What do you think it was about this man that allowed him to have so much faith in Jesus?
Do you find it pretty easy or pretty hard to trust Jesus when you find yourself in difficult situations? What are some examples of times when you trusted Jesus?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about the royal palace official who put his full trust in Jesus to heal his son, knowing that Jesus had the power and authority to do it with just a single word. Thank you that we can also trust in you just like this man did, that we know you are there for us, even when we can’t see or feel you, and that you care enough to listen to us when we call out to you in our times of need. Please help us to grow stronger in our faith in you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Autumn Leaf Suncatchers — Activity Leader
There will be contact paper and leaves to glue onto them. Kids can use a hole-punch and yarn to make it into a hanging.
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 was the job of the man who’s son was sick?
Why do you think he went to Jesus for help when he had all the money to get the best doctors in the land?
Why do you think the royal official trusted Jesus so much?
Do you think that we can also trust Jesus when we need help? Why do you think Jesus can be trusted?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who was the man who came to Jesus for help? What did he need help with?
Why do you think he came to Jesus even though he was rich and could afford all the best doctors in the land?
What do you think made him trust Jesus so much?
Do you think that we can also trust Jesus like this man did? Why is Jesus so trustworthy?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who was the man who came to Jesus for help? What did he need help with?
Is it surprising to hear that a royal palace official would have turned to Jesus for help? Why or why not?
What do you think it was about this man’s life experiences that helped him to trust in Jesus?
Have there ever been times when you turned to God for help when you were in a difficult situation? Was it easy or hard for you to trust God at that time?
