Lesson 4: Jesus Heals a Lame Man by a Pool

Welcome

            Thank kids for coming.

            Just for fun, have kids link arms with a partner and swing each other in a circle.

            Make announcements.

            Introduce new kids.

            Celebrate birthdays by having preschoolers shout “Happy birthday!”

            Collect the offering.

Introduce the Lesson

            Say: Today we’ll learn about a time Jesus met a man who couldn’t walk. Jesus made the man better—he made it so the man could walk! Jesus could do that because Jesus is God!

Share

            Say: Saying Jesus is God is a way to tell who Jesus is.

            Share several things that tell about who you are. For example, you can say, “I am a sister. I am a teacher. I am a mother. I am a girl.”

            In leader-led small groups, have preschoolers each tell something about who they are. They might say, “I am a child,” “I am a brother,” or “I am a friend.”

Summarize

            Open a Bible, and say: Today we’ll learn more about who Jesus is. We’ll learn what it means that Jesus is God. We’ll dig into the Bible to find out. God’s special book, the Bible, is one way God talks to us. And right now, God is here—ready to talk to you!

            Pray, thanking Jesus that he’s God.

Tip 

Sing Songs to God

            Sing the three songs in any order.

Make the Mat

            Say: In today’s Bible story, Jesus showed that he’s God by healing a man who couldn’t walk. He made the man better! We’re going to make a craft that shows the man before and after Jesus made him better! First, let’s make a mat for him to lie on.

            Distribute pieces of cardboard. Have kids tear pieces of tissue paper and glue them to the cardboard to make a colorful mat. Kids can also add stickers to decorate their mats.

Make the Man

            Say: Jesus showed the man that Jesus is God. Let’s color the man and then put him on the mat. Allow time for kids to each color a man from the handout. As kids work, go around and fold their men along the dotted line. Then tape a craft stick to each man so the craft stick sits just above the dotted line on the inside.

            As kids finish coloring, tape the bottom folded edge of the card stock section to the underside of the mat (align the craft stick with the edge of the cardboard). The craft stick should lean against the cardboard to make the man stand up. Children can practice holding down the man and then letting him go so he “stands up” while they wait for others to finish.

Play With the Craft

            Have kids play with their crafts as you retell the story. Kids can press down the top of their papers to make the man lie down on his mat. When you say: Stand up and walk, kids can release the papers and the man will pop up.

            Then have kids continue to play with their mats and show them how to reenact the story as you sing this song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” Kids can sing along with the chorus.

            (Chorus)

            My Jesus is God; my Jesus is God. (hold man down)

            Jesus can do anything (hold man down)

            ’Cause Jesus is God. (hold man down)

            The man couldn’t walk; the man couldn’t walk. (hold man down)

            Jesus said, “Stand up and go.” (let man go so he “stands up”)

            Now the man can walk. (cheer)

            Repeat the song a few times.

Talk About It

            Say: Jesus healed the man because Jesus is God. We can remember that Jesus is God when we play with our crafts and think about the Bible story.

            Have kids take their crafts home as a reminder that Jesus is God.

Make Mats

            Show a Bible, and say: Today we’ll hear about something amazing Jesus did that shows he’s God. He did something for a man who couldn’t walk. The man’s legs didn’t work. He spent all his time lying on a mat. Let’s make some mats to use as we hear our Bible story.

            Give each child a sheet of card stock. Say: Pretend this is your mat. It’s like a little bed like the man in the Bible used. Have children lie on their mats for a few seconds. Say: This is what the man did. His legs didn’t work, so it’s all he could do. He just lay there. You’ll be spending a lot of time with your mat today. You can make it your own special mat by decorating it. Give kids crayons. Allow time for them to decorate their mats.

            Say: Now that you have your own special mat, lie down on it while I tell you more about this man whose legs didn’t work. Pause while kids lie on their mats. This man had been sick for 38 years! You’re only [ages of kids in your group]. Thirty-eight years is a long time! Let’s see if you can lie on your mat really still while I count to 38. Count to 38 while preschoolers try to stay on their mats. Increase or decrease your speed, depending on how well children are staying on their mats.

            Say: Just counting to 38 might’ve seemed like a long time to lie down. The man on the mat was there for years and years! The man lay on his mat by a pool. Let’s visit a pretend pool now.

Stir the Water

            Have about six children gather around each tub of water. Say: The man spent every day lying on his mat by a pool. He thought the pool could help him get better. A lot of sick people spent all their days next to the same pool because they thought it would make them better, too. Begin to stir the water in the tub with a large spoon. Have adult or teen helpers do the same with the other tubs. Say: They thought that if the water started moving around and getting bubbles in it, they could touch it and get all better!

            Help me stir the water now. Let the preschoolers take turns gently stirring the water with spoons.

Race to Bubbling Water

            Say: The people thought that if they touched the water when it was bubbling, it would make them better but only if they were the first one to touch it! Our man on his mat couldn’t be the second person or the third. He had to touch the water first—before anyone else did. Let’s play a game to think about that.

            Move all the tubs of water to the side of the room, except for one. Put that one in the center of the room. While you do that, have the children make a large circle around the tub of water so they’re 6 to 10 feet from it, depending on the size of your room. Have them sit on their mats.

            Say: Pretend you’re the man on his mat. In a minute you’ll lie on your mat and wait for me to stir the water. When you see me stirring, crawl to the pool. Help children practice the game by leading them through the steps: Have them lie on their mats, and then you’ll slowly move toward the water. Stir the water, and tell kids to crawl to you. Announce the name of the child who makes it to the pool first, and then congratulate all the children.

            Repeat the game a few times, each time having the children do something new, such as hop, crab walk, or scoot on their behinds. On the last time, say: This time, really act like the man who couldn’t move his legs at all. Lie on your mat. Stir the water, and remind children to stay on their mats because they can’t move their legs.

            Let the children sit up on their mats. Say: The man never got to the pool first. He was sad—he couldn’t move his legs for 38 years! Have children make sad faces.

Pick Up Mats and Celebrate

            Say: One day, Jesus came to the pool. Jesus saw the man and asked him if he wanted to get better. The man told Jesus that he couldn’t get to the pool first when it bubbled up. And Jesus did something amazing! Jesus healed the man—that means he made the man better. Jesus said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” And the man did! Lead the preschoolers to stand up, pick up their mats, and cheer. Encourage them to jump and make a lot of noise to show how amazing it was.

            Say: Jesus could heal the man; he could make the man better because Jesus is God. The man was lying on his mat for so long, and Jesus made him better right when he met him. Jesus is God, so he can do amazing things like that!

Sing and Play

            Say: Let’s act out what happened with a fun song. Have kids spread out around your room and lie on their mats. (Kids can also sit if you think they’ll have a hard time lying down during the song.) Sing this song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.” As you sing “Stand up and go,” touch one child and have him or her stand, pick up the mat, and follow you. Repeat the verses until all the children are up and following you. (Lead them around in a celebratory way.) If you have more than  10 children, you can touch more than one each time you say “Stand up and go.” After the last time you sing the song, have all the children cheer for what Jesus did.

            My Jesus is God; my Jesus is God.

            Jesus can do anything

            ’Cause Jesus is God.

            The man couldn’t walk; the man couldn’t walk.

            Jesus said, “Stand up and go.”

            Now the man can walk.

            Say: Because Jesus is God, he could heal the man and make him better! Jesus is very special because he’s God. He even told the people around him that he’s God! Jesus can do anything! He can help sick people get better, like he did for the man in our Bible story. Jesus is our amazing God!

Tip 

Discuss and Watch “By the Pool”

          Say: Tell about a time you wanted something but didn’t know who could help you with that need. Begin by sharing your own example, such as a time you needed help in a store but couldn’t find anyone to help you or you needed to find a specific item but didn’t know who the right person was to ask for help. Then invite kids to get into groups of three and share their own stories.

          Say: In our Bible story, there was a man who needed help, and he wasn’t sure who could help him. Let’s see what happened.

          Watch “By the Pool.”

          Say: Jesus was able to help this man and heal him! This is just one of many ways Jesus shows he is God. But it made some people mad that Jesus helped the man on the Sabbath. That was a special day, and those cranky men had made up a lot of extra rules that God had not made. They said it was wrong to carry a mat on the Sabbath.

          Ask: • Why do you think they got so mad?

          Say: One reason they might have been mad is that they couldn’t make Jesus do what they wanted him to do. Jesus is God, and he does what is right—even when it’s not the popular thing to do.

Tip

• Before printing, turn on page numbering in Word to keep the pages in order (or simply hand-number each page after printing). You may also find it helpful to highlight your part and set the script on a music stand nearby during the skit.

Leader: It’s time for our puppy friend, Theo, to come for a visit. Let’s call him to our class with a “woof, woof.” Ready? (Leads kids to bark until Theo is brought into view.)

Theo: Hi, friends! My back is so itchy today. Would you scratch my back? (Circulates among kids so each child can pet him.)

Leader: Great job welcoming Theo, kids!

Theo: Yeah, that was a great scratch!

Leader: How are you today, Theo?

Theo: (Enthusiastically.) I’m very happy!

Leader: Is there any reason you’re so happy today?

Theo: I won my yo-yo competition yesterday.

Leader: Great job! (Looks to kids.) Kids, let’s give Theo a round of applause. (Leads kids in clapping.)

Theo: Thank you very much. I feel like I can do anything today!

Leader: Really? That reminds me of what we’re learning today from the Bible.

Theo: (Hops excitedly.) Did Jesus win a yo-yo contest, too!?

Leader: (Chuckles.) I don’t think so, Theo. But I think he could if he wanted to. You said you feel like you can do anything, and in the Bible, Jesus showed he can do anything—even make a man better who couldn’t walk.

Theo: How did he make the man better?

Leader: He just said, “Get up and walk!”

Theo: Wow!

Leader: Yep! Jesus is God, so he can do anything. Do you want to learn the song we’ve been practicing? It tells the Bible story.

Theo: (Hops excitedly.) I would love to!

Leader: Okay! (Looks to kids.) Help me sing the song so Theo can learn it! (Leads kids and Theo in singing the following song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell.”)

            My Jesus is God; my Jesus is God.

            Jesus can do anything

            ’Cause Jesus is God.

            The man couldn’t walk; the man couldn’t walk.

            Jesus said, “Stand up and go.”

            Now the man can walk.

            (Repeats as time allows.)

Theo: (Looks to kids.) Thank you for teaching me that song, friends! Now when I want to share with others that Jesus is God, I can sing the song to tell them how I know!

Leader: You’re very welcome, Theo. And that’s a great idea!

Theo: (Puts a paw to his ear.) My mom is calling me home, so I’d better go. See you later!

Leader: Okay, Theo! (Looks to kids.) Friends, give Theo a big “woof, woof, goodbye.” (Leads kids to say “woof, woof, goodbye,” and then places Theo out of sight.)

Make Different Shapes

            Say: Today we’re learning that Jesus is God. Let’s play with some modeling dough to help us understand what that means.

            Give each child a handful of modeling dough.

            Say: Make a pancake with your modeling dough. Lead kids in making “pancakes,” and then let the children show off what they made.

            Say: These are modeling dough in the shape of pancakes.

            Lead the children to make several different things such as a ball, a baseball bat, a snake, and a bowl. Older preschoolers can make more difficult shapes, such as a snowman, a cross, or a wristwatch. After they make each thing, remind them that the objects are modeling dough in the shape of the thing they made.

Try to Shape God

            Have the children try to use the modeling dough to make a shape that looks like God. Let the children work without giving the impression that there’s a right or wrong answer.

            Invite the children to show what they made.

            Say: Today we learned that Jesus is God. Lead the children in each making a person shape. You can use a gingerbread man cookie cutter with younger children.

            Say: Jesus is God in the shape of a person. That means that Jesus was a person like you and me, but he’s also God. When we look at Jesus, we see God because Jesus is God. Like how you made your modeling dough into the shape of a pancake, Jesus is God in the shape of a person!

Tip

• Remind kids not to put their soapy hands in their mouths throughout the experience.

Play in the Pool

            Have preschoolers gather around the tubs of water in groups of six and sit on the mats they made in Core Bible Discovery.

            Say: In our Bible story, some people thought they could get better if they went into the pool with bubbles. Let’s see what it feels like to play in a pool with bubbles.

            Blow through the straw into the water to make it bubble up. Have kids run their hands through the bubble water. Avoid giving preschoolers turns with the straw, as they may drink some of the soapy water and it will also be too germy. Have adult or teen helpers blow in the other tubs.

            As preschoolers continue to play in the water, have them talk about what it feels like to touch the bubbles and what they like about it.

            Say: The man couldn’t get to the pool in time, but he didn’t need to because when he met Jesus, Jesus made him better! The man didn’t need that pool to make him better. The pool wasn’t God! Jesus could heal the man by talking because Jesus is God. Jesus can heal anyone at any time because he’s God.

Sing a Song

            If preschoolers have moved from their mats, have them sit again on their own mats.

            Say: Let’s sing our song about this Bible story. Sing this song to the tune of “The Farmer in the Dell,” and lead children in doing the motions. Kids can sing along with the chorus.

            (Chorus)

            My Jesus is God; my Jesus is God. (point to self, and then point up; point to self, and then point up)

            Jesus can do anything (reach hands above head and then reach out as they lower their hands all the way down)

            ’Cause Jesus is God. (point to self, and then point up)

            The man couldn’t walk; the man couldn’t walk. (shake head “no”)

            Jesus said, “Stand up and go.” (have all kids stand and pick up their mats)

            Now the man walks. (have kids begin to walk in a circle with their mats)

            (Repeat chorus.)

            (Have kids continue marching in a circle, holding their mats through the rest of the song. They can wave their mats in the air or move them around to show they’re excited that they can walk.)

            Let’s thank the Lord; let’s thank the Lord.

            Jesus is so strong and kind.

            Let’s praise the Lord!

            (Repeat chorus.)

            Sing the song and lead kids in doing the motions as time allows.

            Say: The man couldn’t walk for 38 years! He waited a long time to get better, and as soon as he met Jesus, he got better! Jesus can do anything because Jesus is God.

Tip

• If you used the Music Video block, consider repeating the songs from today’s lesson during the game. You can find the album here.

Listen for Bubbling Sounds

            Help preschoolers form a circle.

            Say: The man by the pool listened for the water to make a bubbling sound. That’s how he knew when to get in.

            Let’s listen for bubbling sounds like the man by the pool did.

            Have children crawl around the circle when you say “Bubble, bubble, bubble.”

            When you say “Still!” have preschoolers stop where they are.

            Say: The man by the pool thought the bubbling water would make him walk. That was silly! And besides, he couldn’t get in the water, and it didn’t make him better. But Jesus made him better because Jesus is God!

Walk Because of Jesus

            Say: Jesus can help us like he helped the man. The bubbles won’t help us. Let’s play the Jesus way.

            Play again, having preschoolers move around the circle in one of the following ways. You can have children move in each of these ways more than once. You can also have them do the actions forward one time and backward the next time. Play music during the game.

• scoot
• roll (preschoolers can roll in any direction for this movement)
• crawl
• slither on their bellies
• crab walk

            At the end of each round, say: Jesus is God! and have kids stand and walk cheerfully around the circle.

            Play as time allows.

Talk About It

            Have children sit where they are.

            Say: You listened for me to say “Bubble, bubble, bubble” so you knew when to move. The man by the pool listened for the water to bubble so he knew when to get in. But Jesus didn’t have to wait for a special sound to heal the man. Jesus could heal the man anytime because Jesus is God!

Tip

• If you used the Music Video block, consider repeating the songs from today’s lesson during the game. You can find the album here.

Pull Toys on Mats

            Set the tub of water in the center of the room, and gather preschoolers around it.

            Say: The man in the Bible story wanted someone to help him get into the water so he could be healed. But when he was by the pool, he met Jesus and Jesus made him better because Jesus is God! Let’s play a game to think about that.

            Lead the children to spread the toy figures and/or “men by the pool” around the room, away from the pool. Distribute their mats from the Core Bible Discovery activity. Then show them how they can put a toy or a “man by the pool” on a mat and drag it to the tub of water. Have them stand their toy figures around the pool. They can stand the “men by the pool” by leaning them up against the edge of the tub.

            Explain to children that they’ll drag only one person at a time.

            Start the game, encouraging them to get all the people to the pool. Turn on upbeat music as children play.

            After children get all the people to the pool, have them spread the toy figures and/or “men by the pool” around the room again. Have them play a few rounds.

Talk About It

            Say: Just like you helped these people, Jesus helped the man in the story by healing him and making him better. But Jesus didn’t help the man into the pool. He just said, “Stand up and walk!” and the man did!

            Ask: • Could you tell a man who couldn’t walk to stand up and walk? Could you heal him? Why?

            Say: You couldn’t because you’re not God. Jesus is God. The man by the pool was very excited! He thought the only way he could be healed was to get in the pool. But Jesus could heal the man because Jesus is God!

Sit and Stand

            Have preschoolers sit on the mats they made in the Core Bible Discovery activity.

            Say: Today we learned that Jesus is God! Jesus met a man who hadn’t used his legs in a long, long time. But Jesus used his power as God to make the man better. The man could stand and walk because of Jesus!

            Jesus could help the man because Jesus is God. Saying that Jesus is God is one way to tell who Jesus is. It’s a way to tell about Jesus. Let’s talk to Jesus now about who he is.

            Lead the children in saying “Jesus, you are God” together, and have them stand and pick up their mats. Then pray: Thank you, Jesus!

            Have the children sit again on their mats. Say: Let’s think of some other things to say about Jesus. Pause. Jesus, you’re God, and you’re powerful. Have the children stand and pick up their mats. Then lead them to pray: Thank you, Jesus!

            Have the children sit again on their mats. Say: Jesus, you’re God, and you’re amazing. Have the children stand and pick up their mats. Then lead them to pray: Thank you, Jesus!

            Lead children in saying several things about Jesus in this way. For example, Jesus is kind, loving, strong, good, gentle, never did anything wrong, can do anything.

            Thank the children for coming to church, and tell them that you hope to see them next week.

           Distribute a copy of the “Dig In @ Home” handout to kids as they leave, or email it to parents during the week.