Mark 1: 29-39 - The Story
Jesus was always kind and helpful to the people he met. One day he was in the home of Simon Peter. Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus went into the room where she was and took her by the hand and helped her out of bed. When Jesus touched her, the fever left her immediately. Later that evening people brought everyone who was sick and those who were demon-possessed so that Jesus could heal them. The Bible says that the whole town was gathered around outside the door. Jesus healed the sick and drove out evil spirits. Jesus showed his love by caring for those who needed his healing touch.
Before the sun was up the next morning, Jesus left the house and went off by himself to pray. The disciples found him and said, “We been searching for you everywhere! More people have gathered wanting your healing touch.” But Jesus said, “Let’s go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I can proclaim God’s message there too. This is what I came out to do.”
Theme Discussion
There are lots of stories in the gospels about Jesus healing people. Most of the miracles we read about have to do with healing – from illnesses, from blindness, from paralysis, from unclean spirits, and so many more. There are even a few stories of Jesus bringing back people from death! These miracles would certainly have impressed the people of his time.
It’s not much wonder that so many gathered at Peter’s house that night and into the next day. The people in those days were suffering from many things and everyone hoped for a miracle cure from Jesus. And yet, when the disciples found him and told him that another crowd was waiting for him, Jesus chose instead to go on to another place. That can seem a bit surprising to us. We think of Jesus as someone who would do anything to help people in need!
1. Why do you think Jesus made that choice?
He might have been tired. He might have been feeling overwhelmed by the pushy crowd or saddened by the number of people who were in need of healing… Can you think of some other reasons?
2. There is an expression that says that if you only focus on one trait of a person, you “put them in a box”. It means that you are so focussed on this one thing about that person that you don’t even notice anything else about them. The “box” that the people of Capernaum were putting Jesus in was that of “Miracle Worker/Healer”.
Why do you think Jesus might not have wanted to be known only for this?
What other things about Jesus do you think he wanted them to see and hear?
Some Extra Challenge questions for older kids and kids who want to keep on thinking:
1. The stories in the gospels tell us that Jesus “healed”. Is healing the same thing as curing?
2. Try to think of some examples of when a person might not be “cured” of a physical disease or disability but might still be “healed”.
3. Can you think of some ways that we can all be “healers”?
Response Activity Ideas
Healing Hands/Heart
Materials: Construction paper, colouring tools, scissors, pencil, (bandaids optional)
Fold the paper in half and trace hand on one half with thumb and index finger touching the fold. With the page still folded, cut out the hand, leaving thumb and index fingers connecting front and back halves. It should make a heart-shape between the index finger and thumb!
Inside the hands, younger children could write “Jesus Heals” (or similar) and stick on bandaids to form a cross if they wish, and decorate. Older children could write the many things Jesus came to do, including healing, and things he wanted to teach the people about God on the inside around the heart.
Prayer Bracelet/Keychain/Zipper pull
Materials: beads, string/yarn
Make a bracelet or chain that can be attached to a bag or key ring that will act as a reminder to stop and consider our blessings, share our concerns, and pray for others.
Select colours of beads that represent people, situations, types of prayer (giving thanks, confession, etc.), or topics that are important to you. Using a braiding or knotting method of your choice attach the beads and make a bracelet or chain.
Check out these websites for ideas:
Hang or wear it where it will be noticed throughout the day as a reminder to pause and pray.
Writing to God
Materials: paper (lined, plain), pens/pencils, markers, etc. or write on a device.
If God had a mailbox (or an email address), what would you write?
Take a few minutes and write a letter to God. No one else needs to read it unless you want to share. You might want to use the categories from the book - “Help, Thanks, Wow!” that Lorrie mentioned in today’s Children’s message. What would you ask for help with? What are you grateful for? What in the world is awesome to you? Anything else you’d want to say to God?
You could use words … or illustrations… or?