This lesson teaches children that Jesus is God’s own Son, who has power over sickness, evil spirits, and everything else. It is best for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, so you can read the story, play a game, and pray together before the snack.
Big Idea
Jesus is God’s Son, and he is stronger than anything that tries to hurt or scare us. He can make sick people well and cast out evil.
Memory Verse
Mark 1:11
A voice came out of the sky, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
(WEB)
Have the children place both hands on their heart when they say “beloved,” then stretch their arms wide when they say “well pleased.” Say the verse together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Mark 1 for Kids
A man named John lived out in the wilderness, far from the busy towns. He wore clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts and wild honey. People walked out from Jerusalem and all over Judea to hear him. He told them to turn away from their wrong choices, and he baptized them in the Jordan River as a sign of their new start.
Then Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and asked John to baptize him too. As Jesus came up out of the water, the sky seemed to open, and the Spirit of God came down on him like a dove. A voice from heaven said, “You are my beloved Son. I am so pleased with you.” That was God speaking about his own Son.
Right after that, the Spirit led Jesus out into the wilderness for forty days. Wild animals were there, and Satan tried to tempt him, but angels took care of him. When John was put in prison, Jesus began to travel around Galilee, telling people that God’s kingdom was near and that they should turn to God and believe the good news.
Jesus called four fishermen to follow him. Simon and Andrew were casting their nets into the sea when Jesus said, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people.” They dropped their nets right away and went with him. A little farther on, he called James and John, who left their father in the boat and followed too.
In the synagogue at Capernaum, a man with an evil spirit cried out, “Jesus, we know who you are, the Holy One of God!” Jesus said firmly, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” The spirit obeyed. Everyone was amazed and asked, “What is this? He gives commands and even the evil spirits listen!”
Jesus went to Simon’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed. He took her hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her. That evening, the whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many people. Then, early the next morning, he went off alone to a quiet place to pray.
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, and the Father speaks from heaven. Ask children to find the place where God says he is pleased with his Son.
Mark 1:16-18
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
(WEB)
Show how quickly the fishermen responded when Jesus called them. Explain that following Jesus means leaving things behind and trusting him, and point out that they did it right away.
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)
Notice that the man with leprosy came to Jesus with a simple request. Point out that Jesus was moved with compassion and chose to touch him, even though people with leprosy were often kept away from others.
Talk About It
- What did God say from heaven when Jesus came out of the water, and how do you think Jesus felt hearing it?
- Why do you think the people were amazed when Jesus told the evil spirit to be quiet?
- What did Simon and Andrew give up when they followed Jesus, and what do you think they gained?
- How did Jesus show that he cared about the man with leprosy and about Simon’s mother-in-law?
- Where is a quiet place you can go to talk with God, the way Jesus did?
Activity Ideas
Paper Dove Craft
Give each child a sheet of white paper and help them fold it into a simple dove. Have them draw a small heart on the dove’s wing and write “beloved” on it. You will need paper, crayons, and tape. As they work, remind them that the Spirit came down like a dove when Jesus was baptized.
Follow the Leader Fishing Game
Set a few paper fish on the floor and have children walk around them, pretending to fish with pretend nets. When you call out “Come follow me!”, they drop their nets and follow you around the room. You will need paper fish and a clear space. Explain that Jesus called ordinary people to follow him.
Family Prayer Walk Card
Cut a sheet of paper into small cards and write one simple prayer request on each one, such as “Pray for someone who is sick.” Let children take a card home and pray through it at bedtime. You will need paper, a pen, and scissors. This reminds the family that Jesus still hears us when we pray quietly.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter opens Mark’s account by showing Jesus as God’s Son, affirmed by the Father at his baptism and then displaying authority over demons, sickness, and disease. Mark moves quickly from one scene to the next, which reflects how he wants readers to see Jesus’ urgent mission and the power behind his words.
With children, avoid overstating how Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is described, since the text gives only a brief summary. Keep the focus on God’s love and Jesus’ power, rather than on frightening details about Satan or the wild animals.
A Prayer to Close
Lord Jesus, thank you that you are God’s Son and that you have power over everything. Help us to listen to you, to follow you when you call, and to trust you when we are scared or sick. Thank you that you always hear us when we pray. Amen.
