In this lesson, children learn that Jesus heals a man who could not walk for thirty-eight years, and that Jesus can do what no one else can do. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the verses, and one activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is powerful, kind, and God’s own Son, and he can make broken things whole. He cares about people who feel stuck or forgotten.
Memory Verse
John 5:8
Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
(WEB)
Ask children to stand up tall and then take one big step forward on the words “take up your mat.” Then have them mime rolling up a mat, tucking it under one arm, and walking in place. Repeat the verse together while they move.
The Story: John 5 for Kids
Long ago, Jesus went up to the city of Jerusalem for a big Jewish feast. Near one of the city gates was a pool of water with five covered porches around it. Many people who were sick, blind, lame, or unable to move sat there every day. They were waiting for the water to bubble up, because people said that whoever got into the pool first would be made well.
Among them was a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him lying there and knew how long he had been ill. Jesus asked him a simple question: “Do you want to be made well?” The man sighed and said, “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool, and by the time I get there, someone else always goes in first.”
Jesus looked at the man with kindness and told him something amazing. “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Right away the man’s legs were strong, and he stood up, rolled up his mat, and began to walk. He was healed!
That day was the Sabbath, a day of rest that the Jewish people kept holy. Some religious leaders saw the man carrying his mat and were upset. They said he was not allowed to carry it on the Sabbath. The man explained that the one who healed him had told him to carry it. The leaders wanted to know who had done this, but Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.
Later, Jesus found the man at the temple and said, “You are well now. Make good choices from here on.” The man went and told everyone that Jesus was the one who had made him well. Jesus showed that he is God’s Son, and that he does good works, even on the Sabbath, because his Father is always at work doing good.
Read It Together
John 5:6-7
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus noticed the man before the man asked for help. Explain that Jesus sees each person, even the ones everyone else walks past, and that the man was honest about how hard his life had been.
John 5:14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus found the man again after the healing. Talk about how Jesus cares about our whole lives, not just our bodies, and how choosing to follow him helps us grow.
John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus called God his Father and said that God is always working for good. Help children see that God never stops caring for people, even on a day of rest.
Talk About It
- How do you think the man felt when Jesus asked him if he wanted to be made well?
- Why do you think nobody had helped the man for so many years?
- What is one way you can notice someone who feels left out, like the man at the pool?
- What did the man do right away after Jesus told him to get up?
- What is something you think Jesus can do that no one else can do?
Activity Ideas
Paper Pool and Walking Man
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have children draw a blue pool with five little porches around it, then draw a simple stick-figure man lying beside it. Cut out a small mat from paper and glue it under the figure. Then have them draw a second version of the man standing up, carrying his mat. Let them tell the story using their two pictures.
Mat Walk Game
You will need a folded towel or a small rug for each child, and an open space in the room. Start with children lying on their mats, pretending to be unable to move. Call out “Take up your mat and walk!” and let them stand, roll up the mat, and walk around the room. Play a few rounds, and let children take turns being Jesus giving the command.
Take-Home Thank You Card
You will need a sheet of paper, markers, and an envelope. Ask each child to draw a picture of something they are thankful Jesus can do, such as help them when they feel stuck, or see them when no one else does. Have them write or dictate one sentence on the card. Encourage them to share the card with a family member during the week and talk about it together.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus is both fully human and fully God, able to heal a man who had been ill for decades. It also shows the tension between religious rules and compassion, since Jesus healed on the Sabbath and defended that choice by pointing to God’s ongoing work. The chapter goes on to speak of Jesus’ authority over life and judgment, and of several witnesses who testify to who he is.
One thing to avoid overstating to children is the idea that a person’s illness or hardship always comes from a lack of faith or a specific sin. The text simply tells us Jesus healed this man and then gave him a gentle word of caution. Keep the focus on Jesus’ power and care, not on blaming the sick.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for seeing us, even when we feel stuck or forgotten. Thank you that you are God’s own Son and that you can do things no one else can do. Help us to notice people who feel left out, and to be kind like you. Help us to trust you every day. Amen.
