In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is more powerful than anything that hurts us, and that he cares about every person, even the ones others think are too far away. This lesson for children ages 5 to 11 takes about 20 to 30 minutes and works well with a story, a simple motion, and a few quiet questions.
Big Idea
Jesus is stronger than every trouble, and he loves each person he meets. He helped a scared man, a sick woman, and a young girl, and he can help us too.
Memory Verse
Mark 5:36
But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands over their ears, then slowly open their hands in front of their faces as if opening a window. Say “Don’t be afraid” as you open, and “only believe” as you stretch your arms wide. Repeat it three times together so the motion helps them remember the words.
The Story: Mark 5 for Kids
Jesus and his friends sailed across a lake to a place called the country of the Gadarenes. As soon as Jesus stepped out of the boat, a man came running toward him. This man lived among the tombs, which were caves where dead people were buried. Nobody could control him. People had tried to tie him up with chains, but he snapped them like string. He cried out day and night and hurt himself with sharp stones.
When the man saw Jesus, he ran and bowed down in front of him. He shouted, “Don’t hurt me!” Jesus had already told the evil spirits inside him to leave. Jesus asked the man his name, and the man answered, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us.” The spirits begged Jesus to send them into a big herd of pigs that was nearby. Jesus allowed it, and the pigs ran down the hill into the lake.
The men who had been watching the pigs ran away and told everyone in the town. When the people came out to see, they found the man sitting quietly, wearing clothes, and thinking clearly. They were scared, and they asked Jesus to leave. The man wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him, “Go home and tell your family what great things the Lord has done for you.” So the man went and told everyone about Jesus.
Jesus crossed back over the lake, and a large crowd gathered around him. A leader of the synagogue named Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He said, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and place your hands on her so she will get well.” Jesus went with him, and the crowd pushed close on every side.
In the crowd was a woman who had been sick with bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors, but she only got worse. She thought, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” She reached out and touched Jesus’ cloak, and right away her body felt well. Jesus stopped and asked, “Who touched me?” The woman came, shaking, and told him the whole truth. Jesus called her “Daughter” and said, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
While Jesus was still talking, some people came and said that Jairus’ daughter had died. Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” He took Peter, James, and John into the house, where people were crying loudly. Jesus told them the girl was not dead but sleeping. They laughed at him. Jesus sent them out, took the girl’s hand, and said, “Get up!” At once she stood up and walked around. Jesus asked them to give her something to eat.
Read It Together
Mark 5:6-7
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.”
(WEB)
Point out that the man ran to Jesus even though he had been living in a scary place. Ask the children what it tells us that the man was not afraid to run toward Jesus.
Mark 5:19
He didn’t allow him, but said to him, “Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had mercy on you.”
(WEB)
Show the children that Jesus told the man to go home and share what God had done. Explain that we can tell people about Jesus too, starting with our own families and friends.
Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus called the woman “Daughter” and gave her peace. Remind the children that Jesus cares about each person by name and by heart.
Talk About It
- What do you think the man felt when Jesus made the evil spirits leave him?
- Why do you think the woman was afraid when Jesus asked who touched him?
- What did Jairus do to show that he trusted Jesus, even when people said it was too late?
- How did Jesus show that he cared about the woman and not just the crowd?
- What is one thing you can tell someone this week about what Jesus has done?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Story Scenes
You will need paper plates, crayons, and glue. Have each child draw one scene from the story, such as the man among the tombs, the pigs running into the lake, or the girl getting up. Glue the drawings onto the plates and let the children tell the story to you using their pictures.
Stop and Go Game
Choose a leader to act as Jesus. When the leader says “Get up!” the children jump up from sitting or lying on the floor. When the leader says “Don’t be afraid,” the children freeze and stand very still. Play a few rounds and talk about how Jesus gives us courage and new life.
Take-Home Helper Card
Cut index cards in half and give each child one. Ask them to write or draw one way Jesus helped someone in the story. Encourage them to put the card on the refrigerator or by their bed and to tell it to a family member before bedtime.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that Jesus has authority over evil, sickness, and even death, and that his power comes with real compassion. Adults can see how Jesus reached out to people others had given up on, including a man rejected by his community and a woman who had been treated as unclean. Jairus and the woman both show faith that reaches toward Jesus even in desperate moments.
Be careful not to suggest to children that faith guarantees every sick person will be healed right away. Jesus healed in these stories, but children need to know that God is always good and present, even when answers come differently than we hope. Focus on Jesus’ love and faithfulness rather than on promises about outcomes.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, we thank you that you are stronger than anything that scares us. Thank you for caring about each person, even when others forget them. Help us to trust you when we feel afraid, and help us to tell others what you have done for us. Amen.
