Week 22- Jesus Heals with Living Water (John 4:1-42)
Today we began our unit called "Jesus Heals." We started off our discussion with what it means to be healed. The kids mostly talked about how they had a cut that was healed, or their grandma was sick but now is healed, and other physical hearings. Then, I guided the conversation to emotional healing... a child's feelings were hurt but now he feels better, or a kiddo was upset with her sister but isn't anymore. Last, I brought up spiritual healing. I read the kids the story (paraphrased but I didn't type it... sorry!) and I asked the kids what type of healing the woman needed. They were spot on answering "spiritual!"
This lesson is a little tricky to get because it involves a metaphor, but I gave each of my kids a small pail to help them remember. Not all answers were spot on (as you can expect) but It went something like this:
The lady at the well could give Jesus water.
Why did Jesus ask for water? (To drink. He was thirsty. He didn't know how to get it from the well by himself.)
Jesus really didn't need the woman to get him water. He wanted to talk to her. What did Jesus want to talk to the lady about? (Spiritual healing. How to use the well. He wanted to heal her. He wanted to be friendly because nobody liked the Samaritans.)
Yes, Jesus wanted to be friendly and talk to the lady. He wanted to heal her from her sins. Can we heal sins? (No. Of course not! That's Jesus' job!)
Only Jesus can heal our sins. Only Jesus can take away the pain we feel when we are hurting. Asking Jesus to be in our hearts is like drinking water when you are thirsty. You feel SO much better afterward.
Jesus said that He is the "Living Water." Does this mean Jesus is actually water that we can drink? (No. Jesus is in our hearts.)
You're right! Jesus was telling the lady that He is like water, because everyone needs it, and it makes you feel so much better!
After that, He said that if you have Living Water you will never thirst again. Does that mean we never have to drink water again? (No. It means that Jesus will be in our hearts forever. Jesus won't ever leave us. Jesus is with us always.)
That's pretty awesome, isn't it? Anytime we are in need of healing, we can ask Jesus to help us. Whether we fall on the playground and scrape our knees, a kid at school says something that hurts our feelings, or we alone because nobody will listen, Jesus is always there for us. Jesus is our Living Water!
My kiddos then made this adorable well that was only slightly difficult for a couple to put together (The rope wrapping around the brown sticker was tricky!) but they were so proud! They also got to "drink" their "living water" from the metal pails. (Yes, it was full of air, and yes, my kids have great imaginations!) It was so cute to watch; I should've taken pictures!
