In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is God’s Son, that he has power over bad things, and that he can make people well. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with time for questions and an activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is God’s Son. He is stronger than anything that tries to hurt us, and he cares about every person who needs help.
Memory Verse
Mark 1:11
A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
(WEB)
Ask children to place both hands over their heart as they say the verse, then lift their arms wide like someone being happy about a gift. Repeat it together three times, speeding up each time.
The Story: Mark 1 for Kids
A man named John lived in the desert. He wore clothes made of camel hair and a leather belt, and he ate locusts and wild honey. People from all over the country came out to hear him. He told them to turn away from their wrong choices, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
One day Jesus came from the town of Nazareth and asked John to baptize him in the river. When Jesus came up out of the water, the sky seemed to open, and a dove came down and rested on him. Then a voice from heaven spoke. The voice said, “You are my dear Son, and I am very pleased with you.”
Right after this, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert for forty days. He was there with wild animals, and angels took care of him. Satan tried to tempt him during that time, but Jesus stayed close to God.
Later, Jesus went back to Galilee and told people, “The time has come, and God’s kingdom is near. Turn away from your wrong choices and trust the good news.” He walked by the lake and saw two fishermen named Simon and Andrew. He said, “Come follow me, and I will teach you to catch people for God.” They left their nets right away and followed him.
Jesus also went to the town of Capernaum. On the Sabbath day he taught in the synagogue, and the people were amazed, because he spoke with real authority. A man there had an evil spirit, and Jesus told it to be quiet and come out. The spirit obeyed him. Jesus also healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever, and later he healed a man with a serious skin disease.
Read It Together
Mark 1:9-11
9 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up from the water, he saw the heavens parting, and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
(WEB)
Point out that all three persons of God are present at Jesus’ baptism: Jesus is in the water, the Spirit comes down like a dove, and the Father speaks from heaven. Ask children to find where God the Father says he is pleased with his Son.
Mark 1:17
Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus invited ordinary fishermen to follow him. Explain that Jesus still invites people today, and that following him means learning from him and telling others about him.
Mark 1:40-42
40 A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” 41 Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” 42 When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was made clean.
(WEB)
Point out that the man with leprosy came to Jesus with humble trust. Note how Jesus was moved with compassion and reached out to touch him. Help children see that Jesus cares when people are hurting.
Talk About It
- What did God say about Jesus when Jesus came up out of the water?
- Why do you think Jesus went into the desert before he started teaching?
- How did Simon and Andrew show they were ready to follow Jesus?
- What did the evil spirit have to do when Jesus told it to leave?
- How did Jesus show that he cares about sick people?
Activity Ideas
Dove and Sky Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a blue sheet of construction paper if you have one. Have children draw a bright blue sky, then draw a small white dove coming down from the top of the page toward a stick figure standing in water at the bottom. Let them add a small heart above the dove and write the Memory Verse underneath. Talk together about what the picture shows.
Follow the Leader Walk
You will need a open space such as a hallway or yard. Choose one child to be Jesus and have the others line up behind. Jesus walks slowly, and everyone copies each movement. Stop now and then and say, “Come follow me.” Let children switch leaders. Afterward, remind them that Jesus invites everyone to follow him.
Take-Home Thank You Card
You will need a sheet of paper folded in half and crayons. Ask children to draw one person Jesus helped in Mark 1, such as the sick woman or the man with leprosy. Inside, have them write or draw one way they can thank God for caring about people. Encourage them to share the card with their family at dinner.
Teacher Notes
Mark starts quickly with the good news that Jesus is the Son of God. The passage shows Jesus with authority over spirits and sickness, and it shows his compassion for people who are hurting. For adults, it is a reminder that Jesus’ work is both powerful and personal, and that he invites ordinary people to follow him.
Avoid suggesting that children can earn God’s approval by behaving well or that prayer always produces a quick healing. Keep the focus on who Jesus is and on God’s love for us, rather than on what we must do to deserve it.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for being God’s Son and for loving us so much. Help us to listen to you, to trust you when we are scared, and to follow you every day. Thank you for caring about everyone who needs help. Amen.
