This lesson teaches children that Jesus cares about people who are hurting and that doing good is always the right thing to do. It works well for children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus loves people and makes them well, and we should always choose to do good, even when others are watching and do not like it.
Memory Verse
Mark 3:5
When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
(WEB)
Hold your arm out straight in front of you, then slowly stretch your fingers wide open. Each time you say the verse, stretch your hand out the same way, the way the man in the story did when Jesus asked him to.
The Story: Mark 3 for Kids
One Sabbath day, Jesus went into the synagogue, the place where people gathered to worship God. A man was there whose hand was withered, which means it was weak and did not work well. Some religious leaders were watching Jesus closely. They wanted to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath, because they wanted a reason to accuse him.
Jesus knew what they were thinking. He told the man with the weak hand, “Stand up, where everyone can see you.” Then he asked the people a question: was it right to do good on the Sabbath, or to do harm? The people were quiet, because they did not want to answer. Jesus looked at them with sadness and anger, because their hearts were hard.
Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” The man stretched it out, and his hand was healed. It became just as strong and healthy as his other hand. The man could finally use his hand the way God made it to work.
Instead of being happy for the man, the religious leaders went away and made plans with some other people to get rid of Jesus. Jesus did not stop helping people because of this. He went down to the sea with his friends, and a huge crowd came to him from many places, because they had heard about the good things he was doing.
Jesus healed so many sick people that everyone wanted to touch him. He went up on a mountain and called the people he wanted to be his close friends. He chose twelve men, and they became his disciples, the ones who would learn from him and help others learn about God.
Later, some people said Jesus was doing bad things by the power of evil. Jesus gently explained that this made no sense. Then his own mother and brothers came looking for him. Jesus looked around at the people sitting with him and said that everyone who does what God wants is part of his family.
Read It Together
Mark 3:1-5
1 He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there who had his hand withered. 2 They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might accuse him. 3 He said to the man who had his hand withered, “Stand up.” 4 He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus went to the synagogue and noticed a man in need. Ask the children what they notice about people around them who might need help, and how Jesus paid attention to the man.
Mark 3:14-15
14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons…
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus chose twelve people to be with him and to help others learn about God. Explain that Jesus wants his friends close to him, and that he gives them good work to do.
Mark 3:34-35
34 Looking around at those who sat around him, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus looked at the people around him and said that anyone who follows God is part of his family. Remind the children that God’s family is open to everyone who loves and obeys him.
Talk About It
- How do you think the man with the weak hand felt when Jesus asked him to stand up in front of everyone?
- Why do you think the religious leaders stayed quiet when Jesus asked them a question?
- What is one good thing you could do this week for someone who needs help?
- Why did Jesus want the people around him to see the man being healed?
- How can you show that you are part of God’s family at home, at school, or at church?
Activity Ideas
Hand Tracing Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Have each child trace their own hand on the paper, then decorate the hand with bright colors. Write “Jesus makes things whole” across the top. Talk about how Jesus healed the man’s hand and how each child’s hand can be used to help others.
Stretch and Freeze Game
You will need an open space where children can move safely. Call out “Stand up!” and have everyone stand tall. Then call out “Stretch out your hand!” and have the children stretch their arms wide. Mix in other movements and remind the children that Jesus gave people strength to move and help others.
Good Deed Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and an envelope or small box. Ask each child to write or draw one kind thing they can do for someone at home this week, such as helping set the table. Let them place the card in the box and check it together on Sunday to celebrate the good things they did.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus came to restore what was broken, and that his power to heal reveals his authority. It also shows that doing good matters more than following human rules, and that some people will resist that truth. Jesus welcomes everyone who does God’s will into his family, which is a comfort and a call to faithfulness.
Avoid overstating to children that every sick person will be healed right away when they pray. Instead, focus on the truth that Jesus cares deeply, that he has power over all things, and that God is always good even when we do not understand why things happen the way they do.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and caring for people who are hurting. Help us to do good every day, even when it is hard. Show us how to be kind to others, and help us to remember that we are part of your family. Amen.
