Once I was blind…but now I see.

Jesus gives sight to the blind

There are many ways to weave the healing of blind eyes into a meaningful lesson for kids.  Not only are there many references for Jesus giving sight to the blind , but there were many methods of healing, and much teaching in the gospels regarding spiritual blindness.  I don’t think you will need a worksheet for this lesson, but have on hand 1/2 sheet  of  black card stock per participant, a silver gel pen to write the verse, some magazine pictures of eyes and  some bright orange or yellow paper.  I took an x-acto blade and carved out the simple candle shape. Please take the time to pre-prep this . The kids will tape a bright-colored square of paper behind your cut-out

   After they write the verse they can glue the eyes down.  If they are good with scissors , have them find their own eyes in old magazines and cut them out. They can use another rectangle of the bright colored paper to write the title of the lesson with the particular reference(s)  you have chosen.  This craft would also be suitable for teaching the part  of the sermon where Jesus exhorts His followers to ” let their light shine…and  hide it under a bushel”…NO! (Matt. 5:14-16, Mark 4:21) or His “I am the light of the world” teachings from either John 8 or John 12.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jesus clears out the commerce going on in the Gentile court of the temple at the beginning of His ministry (John 2), and again at the end of His ministry, five days before His death.  He came into the temple after His triumphal entry through Jerusalem, on the back of a colt. This fulfilled the  prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, “…Behold thy King cometh unto you: He is just and having salvation:  He is lowly, and riding upon an ass…” Righteous indignation compelled Jesus to overturn the tables, scatter the coins, and drive out those who were involved in taking advantage of those who were coming to worship God.  He severely denounced  their profiteering by quoting Isaiah and then  welcomed the blind and lame, “and He healed them.”With twine, in which you have knotted the ends, make tiny whips.  (***See note below***)   Tape together and glue to Jesus’ hand.   I used a half  sheet of special paper made by Crayola to have the kids write  with Crayola’s special pens ” My  house shall be called a house of prayer”.  That is an option for you to consider but not necessary.   Color and cut out table, and glue together as in the finished project above.  Draw coins here and there with metallic gel pens. ****Note: Jesus did not use a whip in the 2nd cleansing of the temple, you might want to explain this…If you feel the “knots” are not appropriate for a young child…use the twine plain or leave off altogether as one cleansing did not include a whip) The word for “scourge” in Greek is phragellion (Latin: flagellum) and I have artistically interpreted it to be a substantial tool.  The word for “small cords” can mean either rope or rushes.

Samson – Nazarite Judge of Israel

We read the story of Samson and wonder “What if”.  Here was a man blessed with supernatural strength in body,  but wimpy in spirit , unable to bridle his “flesh” which was his downfall.  The amazing foretelling of his birth is written for us in Judges 13 and in chapters 14-16 we read of Samson’s escapades , capture , repentance and death.  If you have small children you will have to braid the yarn for Samson’s dreads.