January 4: Jesus Heals a Blind Man

I start out every lesson by explaining whether the story is in the Old Testament (before Jesus came to live on earth), or New Testament (stories while Jesus was on the earth and after He went back to Heaven). If it's New Testament, I ask if it's a "Jesus story." If it is, then I explain whether it is in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. I do this EVERY.SINGLE.WEEK. to let it gradually sink in. I also explain, when applicable, if the story is a parable or not. I think it's important to keep the lines drawn very obviously when something really happened or not. That always confused me as a child. Anyway...

January 4: Jesus Heals a Blind Man (John 9:1-41)

Hand out copies of pre-cut masks on cardstock to color while the story is being read.

There was a man once who was blind. He could not see flowers, he could not see people, he could not see anything! This man had been blind since he was born. But something special happened to the blind man. Although he couldn't see Jesus, Jesus saw him. 

Jesus did something strange. He spit on the dirt and made some mud. Then He put the mud on the man's eyes. "Go and wash your eyes," Jesus said. The man did what Jesus said. He washed the mud off his eyes. He looked around. He could see! And the man worshipped Jesus. 

-What did Jesus do to heal the blind man?
-Did the blind man believe that Jesus was the Son of God?
-When Jesus did this, he made the religious leaders mad. Why?
-What are some other miracles of healing that Jesus did?

Have students cut around outside of mask and attach string. Once kids put the mask on, ask them if it works. (No- there are no eye holes!) Ask students what it's like to not being able to see through their masks (Frustrating, annoying, etc.)

Explain how this is how the blind man felt before he met Jesus. He was probably frustrated that he needed people to help him with everyday tasks. He was most likely annoyed that he couldn't be independent. Wherever his friends took him, that's where he had to go. He didn't have much choice to do what he wanted, did he?

Have students remove masks and cut eye-holes. Once they put them back on, ask how much easier it is now to see. Explain that Jesus helped this blind man see so that he could be independent. God wants us to be independent, too. He wants us to love and obey Him because we want to, not because someone is leading us in that direction.