In this lesson, children learn that Jesus can open eyes and that He is the Light of the World. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the Bible reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is the Light of the World. He helps people see, both with their eyes and with their hearts, and He always does good work.
Memory Verse
John 9:5
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
(WEB)
Ask children to cup both hands together like a little lamp, then slowly open them wide as they say the words after you. Repeat it three times, making the lamp bigger each time so they feel the light spreading.
The Story: John 9 for Kids
One day Jesus was walking along a road, and He saw a man who had been blind since the day he was born. The man had never seen a sunrise, a flower, or his mother’s smile. His friends were curious and asked Jesus, “Who did wrong, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus told them that nobody had done anything wrong. He said this was a chance for God’s works to be seen.
Then Jesus did something surprising. He spit on the ground, mixed the spit with dirt to make a little mud, and gently rubbed it on the man’s eyes. Jesus told the man, “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam.” The man did just what Jesus said. He walked to the pool, washed his face, and came back able to see for the very first time!
His neighbors were amazed. Some said, “Isn’t that the man who used to sit and beg?” Others were not sure and said, “He looks like him.” The man himself said, “I am the man!” People kept asking him how it happened, and he told them the same simple story each time: a man named Jesus had put mud on his eyes and told him to wash.
Some religious leaders heard about the healing and got upset, because it happened on the Sabbath, the day of rest. They asked the man many questions and even called his parents in. The parents were scared of trouble, so they said, “Ask our son, he is old enough to speak for himself.” The leaders were not happy with the answers, and they made the man leave.
Jesus heard about this and went to find the man. He asked, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” The man said, “Who is He, Lord? Tell me so I can believe.” Jesus said, “You are looking at Him right now.” The man said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped Jesus. The man who had been in the dark now saw Jesus as the Light of the World.
Read It Together
John 9:1-3
1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.
(WEB)
Point out that the man was blind from birth and that Jesus saw him first. Explain that Jesus notices people others may overlook, and that no one is too unimportant for Him to care about.
John 9:6-7
6 When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
(WEB)
Show children the simple steps: Jesus made mud, the man obeyed, and he washed. Explain that the man did not have to understand everything first. Obeying Jesus, even when a request seems strange, is a way of trusting Him.
John 9:38
He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.
(WEB)
Point out the change from blindness to belief. Explain that when the man saw Jesus, he worshiped Him. Help children see that seeing Jesus clearly leads us to love and honor Him.
Talk About It
- How do you think the man felt when he could see for the very first time?
- Why do you think Jesus used mud and water to heal the man’s eyes?
- What did the man do when his neighbors asked him questions, even when they didn’t believe him?
- Why was it hard for the man’s parents to speak up, and what helped the man be brave?
- What are some ways we can show Jesus that we see Him as the Light of the World?
Activity Ideas
Paper Lantern Craft
You will need a paper plate, yellow and orange crayons or markers, a craft stick, and tape. Have each child draw a bright sun or flame in the middle of the plate, then tape it to the stick. Let them hold their lantern high as they say the memory verse together. Talk about how Jesus is the light we can carry everywhere.
Blindfold Follow-the-Leader
You will need a scarf or cloth to use as a blindfold and an open space in your room or yard. Choose one child to wear the blindfold while another child gives simple directions, such as “take three steps forward.” Afterward, talk about how hard it is to move without seeing, and how Jesus helped the man find his way.
Take-Home Light Reminder
You will need index cards, crayons, and a flashlight. Give each child a card and have them draw a small picture of something they see in the day, like a tree or a pet. At home, they can show their card with a flashlight after dark and say, “Jesus helps me see, and He is the Light of the World.” This gives families a simple way to talk about the lesson all week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is the true source of spiritual sight. The man born blind is healed by Jesus, and his growing understanding of who Jesus is moves from “the man called Jesus” to “a prophet” to “Lord.” Meanwhile, some religious leaders who claim to see refuse to recognize what has happened, which reminds us to examine our own hearts honestly.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that sickness or hardship is always caused by a specific sin. Jesus said plainly that the man’s blindness was not a punishment, so keep the focus on God’s power and care rather than on blame. Let children know that God can bring good out of hard situations.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. We are glad You see us and care for us, just like You saw the man who was blind. Help us to trust You, even when we don’t understand everything, and help us to tell others about You. Amen.
