This lesson teaches children that Jesus has the power to forgive sins and that he welcomes everyone who comes to him, including people others might leave out. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus can forgive anyone who trusts him, and he wants everyone to come close to him, even the people others think don’t belong.
Memory Verse
Mark 2:5
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup both hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them outward like a book being opened. Each time they open their hands, they say “Your sins are forgiven” together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each round so the words sink in.
The Story: Mark 2 for Kids
Jesus went back to the town of Capernaum, and soon everyone heard he was staying in a house there. So many people crowded inside that there was no room left, not even by the door. Jesus began to teach them the good news about God.
Four friends came carrying a man who could not walk. They wanted to bring him to Jesus, but the crowd was too thick. So they climbed up on the roof, made a hole in it, and lowered their friend down on his mat right in front of Jesus. Imagine how surprised everyone was!
Jesus saw how much faith those four friends had. He looked at the man on the mat and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” Some of the teachers of the law sitting nearby thought in their hearts, “Only God can forgive sins. Why is this man talking like that?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking. To show them he had the power to forgive, he said to the man, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” The man stood up right away, picked up his mat, and walked out in front of everyone. The people were amazed and praised God, saying they had never seen anything like it.
Later, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his work table. Tax collectors were not popular, but Jesus looked at Levi and said, “Follow me.” Levi got up and followed him. Then Levi invited Jesus and his friends to eat dinner at his house, and many other tax collectors and sinners came too.
When the teachers of the law saw Jesus eating with these people, they asked his disciples why he would do that. Jesus answered, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but people who are sick do. I did not come to call the good people, but the sinners to turn back to God.”
Read It Together
Mark 2:10-11
10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus gave the man two gifts, forgiveness and healing. Ask the children to notice that Jesus did the healing so everyone would know he had the authority to forgive sins. Help them see that Jesus cares about our hearts and our bodies.
Mark 2:14
As he passed by, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus called Levi in a simple, direct way, with just two words, “Follow me.” Explain that Levi did not have to earn Jesus’s invitation. Point out that Jesus calls ordinary people into his friendship every day.
Mark 2:17
When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus came for people who know they need help, which includes all of us. Remind the children that nobody is too bad or too unimportant for Jesus to welcome. This verse shows the heart of Jesus toward people others might push away.
Talk About It
- What do you think the four friends were feeling when the crowd blocked the door, and what did they do about it?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted the man to know his sins were forgiven, and not only that he could walk?
- How did the people in the story react when they saw the man walk, and how do you think you would have felt?
- Why do you think some people thought Jesus should not eat with tax collectors, and what did Jesus say about that?
- Who is someone you know that might feel left out, and how could you show them that Jesus welcomes them?
Activity Ideas
Paper Roof Picture
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a small piece of tape. Have each child draw a house with a roof on one sheet, and draw a small mat with a person on it on another sheet. Let them cut a hole in the roof and tape the mat underneath so it looks like it is being lowered down. Talk together about how the four friends worked hard to bring their friend to Jesus.
Friends Carry the Mat Game
Gather a blanket or a sheet and have two children hold the corners while a third child lies on it. Give the group a short path to walk across the room while the one on the blanket stays still. Stop halfway and ask the group to pretend the crowd is blocking the way, then find a creative route together. Finish by reminding them that friends help friends get to Jesus.
Take-Home Forgiveness Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and stickers if you have them. Write “Jesus forgives you” on the front of a card and let each child decorate it. On the back, have them write the name of one friend or family member they want to welcome this week. Encourage them to take the card home and place it where they will see it each morning.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that Jesus holds the authority to forgive sins, something only God can do, and that he proves it by healing a man who could not walk. It also shows his heart for people others reject, such as tax collectors and sinners, and reminds adults that Jesus calls ordinary people into his friendship. Adults can take comfort that grace is available to everyone who comes to Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid implying that a person’s illness or disability is always caused by their sin, since the story itself does not teach that. Keep the focus on Jesus’s compassion and power rather than on the man’s past. Also avoid suggesting that children must earn forgiveness through good behavior, because the lesson is about trusting Jesus, not about performing.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you that you can forgive our sins and that you welcome everyone who comes to you. Help us to be like the four friends who brought their friend to you, and help us to include others who might feel left out. Thank you for loving us so much. Amen.
