jesus, the healer...(pack), diaper bag card • cut apart the bible times people. slide one or two...

FOR THE LEADER

Jesus, the HealerMark 2:1-12

Jesus went to Capernaum. This city was Jesus’ base of operations for most of His public ministry. Capernaum was a large city that sat on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee and was adjacent to a major east-west trade route. Capernaum was also the home of Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. While not mentioned directly, many believe this story about Jesus’ healing miracle to have taken place at Peter’s home.

Because of the healings Jesus had been performing, many people had come to Jesus to hear Him preach and to be healed by Him. On this particular day, Jesus was in a house that was overflowing with people. Four men approached the house carrying another man who was paralyzed. The extent of the man’s paralysis is unknown, but it is clear that he had no ability to walk on his own.

Many houses in first-century Capernaum were only one story tall and constructed with a small staircase to access the roof. Getting on the roof was not difficult; getting on the roof carrying a man on a pallet was likely quite a feat. Once on the roof, the men took up the tiles and tore a hole through the thatch that would have been used to keep the rain out. Because of the roof’s construction, tearing a hole in the roof would not have been a major undertaking, but remember, the men needed a hole in the roof equal to the size of a man.

When Jesus witnessed the men’s faith, He healed the paralyzed man. Jesus’ healing was much more than a physical healing. It became a spiritual healing when Jesus cleansed the man from his sin. The religious leaders in the crowd were infuriated with Jesus’ apparent blasphemy. Jesus knew their thoughts and asked the leaders a question they could not answer for fear of being ostracized.

Jesus healed the man and sent him home with his mat. The people’s only response to Jesus’ miracle was giving glory to God for what had just happened. Jesus proved that He is all-powerful and rules over sin!

Session 1Session 1: Jesus, the Healer

Explore the Bible: Babies & Toddlers Leader Guide6

ETB_Babies_LDR_WIN2018-19.indd 6 6/22/18 3:45 PM

© 2018 LifeWay

OVERVIEW

1

SESSION FOCUSTEXT TRUTHPeople went to Jesus for help.

BIBLE STORYMark 2:1-12

BIBLE VERSEMark 2:10a

CHRIST IN CONTEXTThe Book of Mark emphasizes the miraculous deeds of Jesus, the perfect Son of God.

BIBLE SKILLS • Hear that the Bible tells about Jesus.• Listen to brief Bible stories. Point to the Bible and pictures of

Jesus.

OFF TO A GREAT START!▸▸ First impressions are important. Help each child and family feel special and welcomed at church.

▸▸ Greet each child individually and personally.

▸▸ Briefly mention to families and their preschooler an activity you have ready for children to enjoy at church.

EXPLORE THE BIBLE TEXT CONNECTION

• Sin is devastating. Once the forbidden fruit had been eaten, all people fell under the burden of sin. The story of Jesus’ healing a man who could not walk appears to be about a physical infirmity, but is in reality a story about forgiveness of sin.

• In a short time during Jesus’ public ministry, news about His healings had become widespread. One day, the crowd waiting to see Jesus was so large, people could not get inside the door. Four men carried a friend to Jesus. Jesus healed the man because of his faith and the faith of his friends.

• Before healing the man’s physical infirmity, Jesus first forgave the man for his sins. The crowd was upset by Jesus’ words, but when Jesus proved His power over sickness, He also showed He rules over sin.

• Jesus has power over sin and God accomplishes His plans despite people’s sin. Genesis 27 tells of Jacob stealing a blessing intended for his brother, Esau. Though Jacob’s choice severed a relationship, God’s plans were not hindered.

FAMILY AT HOMEPrint this week’s devotional page (Enhanced CD) to give to families.

EXPLORATIONS FOR BABIES• Toss a Cube• Sing About Jesus• Crawl over Pictures

EXPLORATIONS FOR TODDLERS• Make Doll Footprints• Walk on a Path• Rest & Read• Play with a Drop Box

Session 1: Jesus, the Healer 7


© 2018 LifeWay

BABIES EXPLORE THE BIBLE

BIBLE STORY NUGGETS• Jesus helped sick people.• Jesus helped a man walk.• The man was happy.• People thanked God for Jesus’ help.

BABIES EXPLORE THE BIBLEBabies are sensory learners, and they are relational. They learn best when teachers engage them through conversation and play. Prepare two or three activities for babies to enjoy as they explore the Bible.

TOSS A CUBETools: Bible, Jesus Picture Cube (Pack), beach ball or other ball toys

• Toss the cube near a baby. Encourage the baby to pick up the cube and toss it. Continue to toss the cube. Pause to look at the pictures on the sides of the cube and comment on them.

• Turn the cube to the picture for today’s Bible story. Point to the picture and say: “Jesus. Jesus helped people. Jesus helped a man.”

• Help a baby open the Bible to Mark 2. Touch Jesus’ name.

• Roll the ball back and forth to babies. Say: “People went to Jesus for help.”

SING ABOUT JESUSTools: Bible, musical toys, Story Picture: Jesus Helped a Man Walk (Pack)

• Clap hands with a baby. Sing the chorus to the song “Jesus Loves Me.”

• Turn pages in the Bible with babies. Say: “People went to Jesus for help.”

• Look at the Story Picture with a baby. Point to Jesus in the picture. Say: “Jesus helped sick people. Jesus helped a man walk.”

• To the chorus of the song “Jesus Loves Me,” sing these words: Jesus helps people, Jesus helps people, Jesus helps people, The Bible tells me so.

TEXT TRUTHPeople went to Jesus for help.

BIBLE STORYJesus Helped a Man WalkMark 2:1-12

BIBLE VERSE PARAPHRASE Jesus helps people.Mark 2:10a

PACK ITEMS 1 Story Picture: Jesus Helped

a Man Walk17 Jesus Picture Cube 18 Bible Times People

LEADER TIP!Babies love music and respond eagerly. Play the Enhanced CD in the background while babies play and rest.

I SEE

I HEAR

I TOUCH

I MOVE



© 2018 LifeWay

BABIES EXPLORE THE BIBLE

NEXT HOUR (MORE EXPLORATIONS FOR BABIES)

• Continue and repeat activities from the first hour. Babies

learn through repetition and practice.

• As you cuddle, rock, soothe, and tend to babies’ needs, talk

about the Bible. Say Bible words and phrases.

• Use the Bible with babies. Let them see, touch, and turn

Bible pages.

• Sing other songs about Jesus as you clap or shake a musical toy with babies.

CRAWL OVER PICTURESTools: Bible, clear sheet protectors, wide transparent tape, Bible Times People (Pack), Diaper Bag Card

• Cut apart the Bible Times People. Slide one or two figures into a clear sheet protector. Slide the Diaper Bag Card in another sheet protector. Tape the sheet protectors to the floor with transparent tape. (Tape along all sides.)

• Seat a baby on or near some of the people figures. Encourage the baby to crawl over the people figures.

• Point to a figure. Comment that people went to Jesus for help. Say: “Jesus helped people.”

• Sit with a baby and turn pages in the Bible. Open it to Mark 2. Say: “This is the Book of Mark. We read about Jesus in the Book of Mark. Jesus helped people.”

• Help a baby stand to walk toward the Diaper Bag Card. Point to the picture of Jesus. Say: “Jesus helped a man walk. The man was happy.”

LEADER TIP!As an alternative to sheet protectors, attach the figures to the floor with clear contact plastic. Completely cover each figure.

DON’T FORGET! Give every child this week’s Diaper Bag Card and Preschool Family Card.



© 2018 LifeWay

TODDLERS EXPLORE THE BIBLE

TEXT TRUTH People went to Jesus for help.

BIBLE VERSE PARAPHRASEJesus helps people.Mark 2:10a


a Man Walk17 Jesus Picture Cube18 Bible Times People19 Book: Jesus

EXPLORATION STATIONS (45-60 MINUTES)

MAKE DOLL FOOTPRINTS

Tools: Bible, washable paint in a shallow pan, paper towels, plastic doll, paper,

baby wipes, painting smock, Story Picture: Jesus Helped a Man Walk (Pack)

• Help a toddler hold the doll and dip the doll’s feet into the paint. She

can “walk” the doll over the paper, making footprints on the page.

• As the child paints, talk about the Bible story. Say: “Jesus helped a

man walk. People went to Jesus for help.”

• Hand a wipe to the child so she can clean the doll’s feet.

• Look at the Story Picture. Say: “Jesus helped people.” Help a child

open the Bible to Mark 2. Mention that this is where we read the

story about Jesus helping the man.

JESUS HELPED A MAN WALKMark 2:1-12

One day Jesus was teaching at a house. Many people were in the house to hear Jesus. Many people stood outside to listen.

Four men had a friend who could not walk. The men knew Jesus could help their friend. The men carried their friend on his mat to the house.

The house was full of people. The men could not get inside. The men walked up the steps outside the house. They made a hole in the roof, then they lowered their friend’s mat to the floor in front of Jesus.

Jesus saw the man and cared about him. “Get up, take your mat, and walk,” said Jesus.

The man got up and walked.

How happy the man and his friends were! The people were amazed and thanked God for Jesus.

EXPLORATION STATIONSToddlers are on the go and ready to learn. They learn best through playful exploration and discovery. Offer three or more multisensory activities to lead young preschoolers to discover and learn Bible truths.



© 2018 LifeWay

TODDLERS EXPLORE THE BIBLE

REST & READ

Tools: Bibles, 2–4 books about

Jesus, children’s sleeping bags

or rest mats, Book: Jesus

(Pack), Enhanced CD, Diaper

Bag Card

• Spread the mats or sleeping

bags on the floor. (If these

are unavailable, use large

towels or baby blankets.)

• Lay the books and Bibles

on the mats. Place the

Diaper Bag Card on top of

a Bible.

• Read a book to a child. Say:

“Jesus helped people. He

helped people who were

sick or hurt.”

• Help a child open a Bible

to Mark 2. Say: “Friends

carried a man on his mat.

The man could not walk.

Jesus helped the man

walk.” Show the picture on

the Diaper Bag Card.

• Play a song about Jesus

and sing with the CD.

WALK ON A PATH

Tools: Bible, tape, cardboard blocks, Bible Times People (Pack)

• Make two parallel rows of cardboard blocks with 12–18 inches between them. Tape the Bible times people to walls or the floor near the path. Insert one people figure in the Bible at Mark 2.

• Guide toddlers to walk on the path between the blocks. After a while, suggest that toddlers rearrange the blocks to make a different path.

• Call attention to the people figures. Say: “People went to Jesus for help. One man could not walk. His friends carried him to Jesus. Jesus helped the man walk.”

• Help a toddler open the Bible to the marked verse. Say: “These words in the Book of Mark tell us about Jesus. Jesus helped people.”

• Point to Mark 2:10 and say the Bible verse.

PLAY WITH A DROP BOX

Tools: Bible, large box, assorted small toys, utility knife (for teacher’s use), Jesus Picture Cube (Pack)

• Turn the box with the open side down. Cut several holes in the box sides and “top.” (Toys should fit through the holes.)

• Guide a toddler to drop the toys through the holes. If a toy will not fit through a hole, encourage the child to try other holes.

• Look at the pictures on the cube. Talk about Jesus and the wonderful things He did. Say: “Jesus helped people. Jesus helps us.”

• Turn to the picture showing Jesus healing the man who could not walk. Talk about the Bible story.

• Open the Bible to Mark 2. Say: “This is the Book of Mark. We read about Jesus in the Book of Mark.”



© 2018 LifeWay

TODDLERSCIRCLE TIME

CIRCLE TIME TOOLS• Bible• Enhanced CD


a Man Walk26 Touch It Cards

LEADER TIP!Use the Bible. Open the Bible to the Scripture passage while you tell the story. That way toddlers will know the story comes from the Bible.

GATHER• Call toddlers to gather with you.

Choose a Touch It Card (Pack) and say: “Touch your chin.”

• Pull another card and call for children to touch that body part.

• End the game by calling: “Touch your legs!”

• Say: “We can walk with our legs. Let’s walk to the music.”

• Play the Enhanced CD and lead toddlers to walk with you. When the song ends, sit down together.

HEAR THE BIBLE STORY• Say: “I liked walking with you. In

the Bible we can read about a man who could not walk.”

• Open the Bible to Mark 2. Tell the Bible story in your own words.

• Show children the Story Picture (Pack). Comment: “People went to Jesus for help.”

PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS• Open the Bible to Mark 2:10. Say:

“We can read about Jesus in the Book of Mark. These are words that Mark wrote: Jesus helps people.”

• Clap on each word as you say the Bible verse. Encourage toddlers to clap (and say the words), too.

PRAY• Pray and thank God for Jesus.

• Lay the Story Picture on the floor. Play the CD and lead toddlers to walk around the picture.

• Stop the music and say: “Jesus!”

• Start the music again. Play several rounds.

CIRCLE TIME (2-5 MINUTES)

Your toddlers may be ready for a simple circle time. You decide when and how long to have a group experience.



© 2018 LifeWay

TODDLERS NEXT HOUR

DON’T FORGET! • Make a final diaper check.• Put a Diaper Bag Card and

Preschool Family Card in each child’s bag.

• Release children to authorized adults.

MAKE A MATTools: Bible, clear contact plastic, tape, felt, Story Picture: Jesus Helped

a Man Walk (Pack Item 1), paper strips (Bible verse written on them)

• Cut pieces of contact plastic that measure approximately

5-by-8 inches. Use felt squares that are about 2 inches.

• Remove the backing from a piece of plastic and lay it on a table

(sticky side up). Tape corners of the plastic to the table.

• Invite a child to arrange felt pieces on the sticky plastic. Give her

a Bible verse strip to put on the plastic.

• Show the Story Picture to the toddler. Talk about the man lying

on his mat. Help the child open the Bible to Mark 2.

• Cover the child’s completed mat with another piece of contact

plastic. Trim the edges and seal.

NEXT HOUR (MORE EXPLORATIONS FOR TODDLERS)

OPTION 1 Continue activities from first hour. (Kids learn through repetition!)

OPTION 2 Try something different. Choose two or three new activities.

DIG IN A BIN

Tools: Bible, dishpan or other plastic bin, large

plastic interlocking blocks or pop beads

• Place the Bible in the dishpan or bin.

Cover the Bible with blocks or beads.

• Invite a child to dig in the bin. She may

want to interlock the blocks or beads as

she plays.

• While the toddler plays, refer to the Bible

story. Say: “Four men brought a friend to

Jesus. They used their hands to dig a hole

in the roof. That way they could lower

their friend into the house.”

• When a child takes the Bible from the

bin, help her open it to Mark 2:10. Read

the Bible verse.

STAND ON A STOOLTools: Bible, child’s step stool, Jesus Picture Cube (Pack Item 17), Diaper Bag Card, tape

• Tape the Diaper Bag Card on the wall near the stool.

• Help toddlers take turns stepping onto the stool and down from the stool.

• Point to the Diaper Bag Card picture. Say: “The men climbed up, up the steps to the roof of the house. They wanted to take their friend to see Jesus.”

• Call on a child to stand on the stool and toss the picture cube. Talk about the picture facing up. Say: “People went to Jesus for help.”

Look for printable Next Hour helps on the Preschool Enhanced CD.



© 2018 LifeWay

jesus, the healer...(pack), diaper bag card • cut apart the bible times people. slide one or two...

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