Big Idea: I can ask Jesus for help.
Bible Basis: Mark 10:46-52
Key Verse: “[God] (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
What kind of problems do you think Jesus could help you with?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Blind Builders
- Supplies: building blocks, blindfold
- Directions: First, have the children build a simple block tower by stacking the blocks up. Next, place a blindfold on the children and challenge them to do it again, this time without being able to see. If there are more children than blindfolds, encourage the children to take turns.
- Question: What was it like building a block tower when you couldn’t see?
- Say: It’s hard to do things when you can’t see. Today’s true Bible story is about a man who was blind. That means his eyes didn’t work and he couldn’t see—even when his eyes were open. But then, Jesus did something amazing. We’ll find out what Jesus did during the story and we’ll learn that we can ask Jesus for help.
+ I Spy
- Supplies: Emoji pictures
- Preparation: Ahead of time, print the “Emoji Pictures” on paper and tape them around the room in various locations
- Say: IIn today’s true Bible story, Bartimaeus was blind—he couldn’t spy anything with his eyes! But then Jesus helped him see again. We’re going to play a game of “I Spy” that helps us think of times we can ask Jesus for help.
- Directions: Play a game of “I Spy” with the children. You can spy anything in the room, but periodically spy one of the printed emoji faces that are taped around the room. For example, say, “I spy with my little eye, a sad face.” Allow the children to look until they find it. Whenever the children find one of the emoji faces, ask the children how Jesus can help them when they feel that way. Take answers, then continue playing. Play until all of the faces have been found.
+ We All Fall Down (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Bartimaeus asked Jesus for help. What did Bartimaeus need help with? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right—he couldn’t see. Let’s play a game that helps us remember we can ask Jesus for help too.
- Directions: Direct the children to stand in a circle while holding hands. Next, have the children walk in a circle while singing the song below to the tune of “Ring around the Rosie.” On the last line of the song, the children must fall down to the ground. While sitting down, ask the children what they need Jesus’ help with. After one child has answered, stand back up and repeat. Continue until all of the children have had a turn answering.
- Song:
- Jesus, can you help me. Bartimaeus can’t see. Help me. Help me. We all fall down.
+ Lava Leapers (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Rope or yarn (2 pieces per group)
- Today's Bible Verse: God (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, lay the two pieces of rope on the floor parallel to one another with about 6 inches in-between. Tell the children to imagine the space between the ropes is a river of hot lava. Have the children line up along one side of the lava. As a group, recite the verse together, then leap over the lava. If the children land in the lava, they can pretend to sink into it. Next, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so the river is wider, then repeat. Keep moving the rope 6 inches each time until the children can no longer jump across. If time and interest allow, play again from the beginning.
+ Wiggle Freeze (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Tell the children that when you say, “Wiggle,” they can move and wiggle in whatever way they want, but when you say, “Freeze,” they have to stop and remain totally still until someone is caught moving. Begin by repeatedly saying “Wiggle” for as long as you would like, then say “Freeze!” The children will freeze in place. Watch closely to see which child moves first. Whichever child moves first, ask that child what happened first in today’s Bible story. (They don’t have to tell the whole story, just the first part.) If necessary, allow the other children to help. When finished, begin saying “Wiggle” again and repeat the above instructions. For each additional round, ask the child who moves first to tell what happened next in the story. Continue playing until the whole story has been told.
+ Help, I'm Sad (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of a sad face. When finished, ask the children to show their picture and to tell everyone about something that makes them feel sad.
- Say: Today we learned that Jesus can help us with anything. Even when we feel sad, we can pray to Jesus and ask Him to help us. That’s what we’re going to do right now.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by telling Jesus about the things mentioned by the children. Ask Jesus to help the children when they feel sad.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: How do you think Bartimaeus felt when Jesus helped him see again?
- Question: What kind of problems do you think Jesus could help you with?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, You are so awesome. I believe You can do anything. Please help me when I am sick, sad, or scared. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus healing the blind man in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus healing Blind Bartimaeus from the Bible in Mark 10:46-52 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!