This lesson teaches children that Jesus is God’s Son, that we should listen to him, and that he can help us with anything, even when we feel afraid or unsure. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, the Bible reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is God’s own Son, so we should listen to him and trust him, even when we don’t understand everything. He is always ready to help.
Memory Verse
Mark 9:7
A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”
(WEB)
Cup your hands by your ears, as if you are listening carefully. Then point up toward the sky as you say the words together. Do this a few times so the motion helps children remember that God wants us to listen to Jesus.
The Story: Mark 9 for Kids
One day Jesus took three of his best friends, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain. They went up the mountain just the four of them, away from the crowds. Suddenly, Jesus began to shine with a bright, glowing light. His clothes became whiter than anyone could ever make them on earth.
Then two very special men appeared and started talking with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah, who had lived long ago. Peter was so amazed that he said, “Let’s build three tents here, so we can stay on this mountain!” Peter was not sure what to say, because he and his friends were very scared.
Then a cloud came over them, and a voice spoke from inside the cloud. The voice said, in simple words, that Jesus is God’s beloved Son, and that everyone should listen to him. When the friends looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone. Only Jesus was standing there with them.
As they walked back down the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until later. Later on, the crowds gathered around Jesus again. A father came to him with his son, who had a bad spirit that kept hurting him. The father asked Jesus to help, and Jesus said, “If you believe, all things are possible.” The father cried out, “I believe! Please help me believe even more!”
Jesus spoke to the bad spirit and told it to leave the boy. The boy looked like he was dead, but Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and the boy stood up and was healed. Later, Jesus taught his friends that some things can only be done by praying and trusting God.
Read It Together
Mark 9:23-24
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
(WEB)
Point out how the father was honest about his doubts and still asked Jesus for help. Explain that it is okay to tell God when we are not sure, and that he still loves to help us.
Mark 9:35
He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus wants his followers to serve others and help people who need it. Ask them to think of one way they can be a helper this week.
Mark 9:36-37
36 He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”
(WEB)
Point out how Jesus took a little child into his arms and said that welcoming children is like welcoming him. Remind children that they matter to Jesus, no matter how small they are.
Talk About It
- What do you think it would have felt like to see Jesus shining on the mountain?
- Why do you think God wanted the friends to listen to Jesus?
- What did the father do when he felt unsure about believing, and what can we learn from him?
- How can you show someone that Jesus loves them through the way you treat them?
- What is one thing you could ask Jesus to help you with this week?
Activity Ideas
Shining Mountain Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a bit of yellow or white chalk. Ask each child to draw a tall mountain with three friends standing on top with Jesus in the middle. Have them use the chalk to add bright rays of light coming from Jesus. Let children tell you about their picture and what they think the friends might have felt.
Listen Up Game
Gather children in a circle and choose one child to be the leader. The leader gives simple directions, like “hop twice” or “touch your nose,” while everyone else listens closely. Only follow the directions when the leader says “Jesus says.” After a few rounds, talk about how listening carefully helps us know what God wants us to do.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Help each child write the words “Jesus, help me believe” on one side of the card. On the other side, they can draw a picture of something they want to trust Jesus with this week. Encourage them to keep the card by their bed or in their backpack and look at it each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus is more than a teacher or a healer. At his transfiguration, God the Father speaks directly and calls Jesus his beloved Son, so the command to listen to him carries real weight. The story of the boy with the bad spirit also shows that faith can be mixed with doubt, and that honest prayer for help is welcome.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that faith guarantees a specific outcome for every problem. Instead, focus on the truth that Jesus is powerful, loving, and worth trusting, even when we do not understand everything about how or when he will help.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for being God’s Son and for asking us to listen to you. Help us to trust you even when we feel scared or unsure, just like the father in the story. Show us how to love and help others the way you do. Amen.
