Leader Guide

Teaching Time

Slowly tell the Bible story as outlined below. Pause at bold text to allow children to imitate your actions or words.

● One day, Jesus walked to a house in Capernaum. Walk in place.

● He began to teach about God to the people who gathered there. Hold a hand in the air and silently mouth words.

● Some religious leaders called Pharisees came to the house. They were jealous of Jesus, and His words made them angry. Make an angry face and scowl.

● As more people heard about Jesus, a large crowd formed outside the house.

● The crowd stood tall to try to see Jesus. Stretch and stand on tiptoes.

● There was a man who lived in Capernaum. He was paralyzed, so he couldn’t move his legs to walk. He lay on a mat all day, unable to move! Make a sad face.

● The man was so blessed to have four kind friends. Smile big, shake head "yes."

● The friends believed that Jesus would heal the paralyzed man so he could walk.

● The four friends carried the man on his mat to the house where Jesus was teaching. Hold arms up and make a strained face to lift a heavy load.

● There was a problem, though. The crowd was so big that they couldn’t get near the house to see Jesus! Sigh loudly, lower head, and look dejected.

● The men had worked hard to carry the mat this far, and now this!

● BUT they had an idea. Look up excitedly and point to your head.

● At the side of the house was a stairway. They could climb the stairs to the rooftop and then lower him down to see Jesus! March in place to climb the stairs.

● It just might work! So up they went to the top of the roof carrying the man on his mat. Hold arms up, march in place, groan, strain, then set the mat down.

● Piece by piece, the men removed part of the roof to make a hole. Bend down and pick up some pieces one by one and lay them to the side.

● Then the men looked down through the hole in the roof, and there He was: Jesus! Look down excitedly and put a hand on forehead to peer down.

● They carefully held onto the ropes and lowered the man on his mat to Jesus! Bend over and lay something down.

● Do you remember when we talked about how a rope could be used to help? Children respond.

● Jesus saw the men’s kindness and faith. He looked down at the man on his mat and said, “Your sins are forgiven!”

● The Pharisees couldn’t believe what they heard! Only God can forgive sins! Who does Jesus think He is? Make an angry face and cover ears with your hands.

● Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. He said, “Is it easier to say your sins are forgiven or stand up and walk?”

● Then Jesus told the man who couldn’t walk, “Stand up, take your mat, go home!”

● The man jumped up, picked up his mat, and praised God as he walked away. Jump up and down, praising God and waving hands.

● The man’s friends and the crowd were amazed. They couldn’t believe what had just happened, and they praised God too! Celebrate, applaud, and praise God!

The four kind men carried their friend to Jesus, who performed two miracles that day. Jesus showed kindness to the man when he healed his legs and forgave his sins. That day, Jesus proved to the crowd and the Pharisees that He was truly God’s Son.

Optional Review Questions

● How do you think the four friends felt when they saw their friend get up and walk? Excited, relieved; they were glad that they had shown kindness and helped him.

● When Jesus saw what the four men had done, what pleased Him? Their faith in Him to heal the man.