Jesus heals the two blind men
key words
biblical reference
Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52
lesson objective
To help the children develop compassionate feelings, following Jesus’ example.
memory verse
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
God's compassionate and redemptive love is foundational to discipleship, and is the appropriate motivation for Christian outreach. Compassionate outreach reveals God's love for humanity. Whatever we do, wherever we are, we aim to intentionally influence non-Christians to know Jesus. This is evangelism-discipleship. It is a disciple's care for non-believers, both locally and globally, that places a face and a hand to God's grace and love. We believe that the Holy Spirit convicts, cleans, fills, and empowers us, as the grace of God transforms us day by day into a people of love, spiritual discipline, ethical and moral purity, compassion, and justice. Therefore, we minister to the world in compassionate outreach.
Your children are growing up in a world where compassion is often secondary. Help is often conditional. Many people help only if they receive something in return. Thus, it is important that they learn that Jesus was compassionate and helped others in a selfless way.
If we teach them to respond to the needs of others with compassion, they will grow up with a healthy perspective of the Christian life and love of neighbors.
biblical commentary
Read Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43. When Jesus left Jericho, he went to Jerusalem to fulfill the purpose for which he came to earth: to give his life to save people from eternal damnation.
On the way, he was surrounded by a large crowd following him. Suddenly, he heard
desperate screams that clamored for help.
Two blind men tried to approach the crowd to reach the Master. Mark’s book focuses on one of them, Bartimaeus.
When Bartimaeus heard Jesus approaching, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
It was the first recorded time that Jesus is publicly addressed “Son of David.” This humble sick man proclaimed before the crowd Jesus as a descendant of the royal house. In addition, he gave the key to the triumphal entry. The Jews considered David to be chosen of God, and they knew that one of his descendants would be the Messiah.
Then Jesus asked the people to take him to Bartimaeus. The Lord told this man to take a step of faith and trust in his power. Instantly, Jesus performed the miracle, and Bartimaeus received his sight.
Jesus had walked a lot and he knew the suffering that awaited him, but he did not hesitate to show compassion towards the needy. Therefore, with love he healed the two blind men. Jesus is the greatest example that compassion is a way of life.
introduce the lesson
A dark room
If there are windows in your room, before the session cover them with newspapers or cloth so that the light does not come in. Arrange all the chairs along the wall, and in each chair place a card with the name of each child. Remove all objects that may hurt children, and greet them at the door. Tell them that for the activity they will do, it is necessary that the lights be off, so you will need their cooperation and understanding.
Instruct them to enter the room and remain standing. Then, lead them in a time of praise. Then ask them to look for the chair with their name and sit down.
When they are in place, turn on the lights and ask them how they felt in the dark. After listening to their answers, tell them that in today’s session they will talk about some men who could not see because they were blind.
teach the lesson
Jesus and his disciples traveled many kilometers to teach and heal people. How do you imagine they traveled from one city to another? By car? By bus? On a train? By plane? At that time, there were not any of these means of transport like we have now. So people walked great distances to go from one place to another. Only those who had money could travel on a cart or on horseback. In today’s story, we will learn what Jesus did while walking to Jerusalem.
Jesus heals two blind men
One day Jesus and his disciples left Jericho and headed to Jerusalem, and a large crowd followed them on the road. Everyone wanted to hear the teachings of Jesus.
“I’d like to hear what Jesus says,” one man said.
“It is wonderful to see people’s happiness when Jesus heals them,” said another one.
“Did you hear that?” the blind man Bartimaeus asked his friend.
“Hear what?” answered the friend.
“What people are saying. I heard someone say that Jesus is coming along the way. Listen! Here he comes. Jesus is coming here!” Bartimaeus continued talking excitedly. “I heard that Jesus does miracles. Maybe he can heal our eyes so we can see!”
As the crowd approached, the two blind men stood up and began to shout as loud as they could, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
“Shut up!” someone shouted at them. “You’re making a lot of noise.”
“Keep silent! Show a little respect,” others demanded.
But the two blind men did not shut up. On the contrary, their voices were heard louder and louder. “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Then Jesus stopped and called the two blind men.
“Have confidence, Jesus is calling you,” a man told them.
The two men left their cloaks and moved towards Jesus as fast as their legs allowed.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
The blind men felt their heart beat faster and faster. They were so excited! What they had wanted so much was about to become reality.
“Sir, we want to see!” the blind men pleaded.
Jesus realized that these two men believed in his power, and he had compassion on them. So, he extended his hand and touched their eyes. At that moment, the two men could see Jesus. They could see everything! The trees, the blue sky. What a wonderful day!
The two men, jumping with joy, praised Jesus and followed him along the way.
connect the lesson
Compassion mural
For this activity, you will need white paper, colored pencils, glue, and a large piece of cardboard or paper.
Write the word “COMPASSION” as the title on the card. Ask the children to draw pictures of how they can show compassion to others (visiting the sick, helping the needy, sharing food, etc.). When they are finished, have them stick their drawings on the poster board. Place the mural on the door so parents can see the work they did.
Jesus shows compassion
Hand out Student Activity Sheet #198-A and # #198-B. Then, ask the group to trace the dotted words in Student Activity Sheet #198-A. Then, fold the page along the "fold up" line to see what happened when the two blind men approached Jesus.
Turn to Student Activity Sheet #198-B and explain that next to “What the blind man said”, they should select the red letters from the boxes in order; and next to “What Jesus did”, they must select the green letters from the boxes.
When the activity is over, read the answers together, and talk about how Jesus showed compassion in today’s Bible story.
practice the memory verse
Divide the children into three groups and assign them a part of the memory verse. Follow this example: (Group 1) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, (Group 2) the new creation has come: the old has gone; (Group 3) the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Each group must say its part in the correct order to complete the text. Repeat the exercise a couple of times, have the group trade parts, repeat it, and then encourage them to say it together. Then, repeat it again.
wrap-up
Pray
Ask your children to tell their prayer needs. Form a circle with your children and intercede for them. Allow each one who is willing to say a short prayer of thanksgiving. Then conclude, praising God for the miracles of healing he does in the midst of his people, and asking that he help all of you to be compassionate and loving to one another.
Encourage
Sing a praise song before saying goodbye.
Invite
Say something interesting about the next session. Encourage the children to attend and to invite their friends.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™