Scripture: Mark 1:23-28 and Luke 4:31-32
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn even demons believe Jesus is the Son of God – belief alone is not enough to save us. (James 2:18-20)
- Students will learn Jesus taught with “authority” not like the teachers of the Law, because he is the Son of God.
- Students will learn we need to obey the teachings of Jesus because he is the Son of God.
- Students will participate in a service project where they encourage those in the hospital with scripture.
Guiding Question: How can the Bible be used a source of encouragement?
Materials: Wooden heart ornaments, paint, markers, stickers
Procedure: Review the story of Jesus and the Unclean Spirits from the scriptures above. Explain to the students that in Bible times they didn’t have the medicine and operations like we do today. Many families, probably including the family of the man healed in this story had little hope the person would ever get well. Even today with medicine and operations, it is very hard to have a family member who is extremely ill. Remind students that it is important to always have hope in Jesus and turn to His word because He will always be faithful even if how He deals with a situation is different than what you wanted/expected.
Introduce the service project. Have the students use paint/markers encouragement to design wooden heart ornaments to give to families of ill people. The students can put Bible verses and/or encouraging statements on the hearts. They can go with you to deliver these to families in the appropriate waiting rooms of local hospitals. (Be sure to check with hospital first for visitation rules) Substitute hospitals for local nursing homes/assisted livings, etc. if you would like.
Additional Questions: How can children understand God’s love for them while they are ill?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students create goodie bags to deliver to children at your local hospital. (Be sure to check with the hospital for guidelines first). Have the students include encouraging scripture in the bags and remind the students to use this opportunity to share Jesus with them.