There are many miracles of healing that we learn about in the Gospels, all of which can teach us wonderful truths about the love of Jesus. The story of Bartimaeus reminds us that Jesus cares for all people, regardless of social status or physical ability. It also gives us the comforting message that we can call out to God and be heard and known. As with any story of healing, it’s also important to remind children that even with great faith and hope, we might not get the physical healing we wish for on this side of Heaven, but God has given us spiritual healing and will transform us one day in Heaven.
Lesson focus: Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus with great faith, recognizing who He was and how He could heal the man. Jesus granted his request to receive sight by healing him instantly. We can come to Jesus with any need, knowing that He cares and hears us, even if we don’t receive our hopes right away.
Passage: Mark 10:46-52
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Construction paper; glue; markers or crayons; tape; scissors; decorative supplies; paper towel tubes, wax paper, paper plates, google eyes, Bibles.
More Children’s Ministry Teaching Ideas:
- Watch the video of this children’s sermon lesson or the realted Bible craft ideas
- Compare another Mark 10:46-52 Sunday School lesson
- Compare the Mark 10:46-52 children’s sermon from rFour.org
Opening Activities and Lesson Introduction
Lesson Opening: Since this story involves a blind man, healing, crying out, and even begging, there are several fun openers that could grab the attention of your students! Use your judgement regarding the needs of your group, and choose one or more of the following ideas to kick off the lesson:
- “Toss the cloak relay”: just as Bartimaeus tossed off his cloak at the call of Jesus, make a cloak-tossing relay. Have students line up in teams and one at a time don a “cloak” or blanket to run to the other side of the room where a teammate is waiting. Let them throw the “cloak” off for the next racer to retrieve and wear.
- “Blind drawing”: provide blindfolds or ask students to close their eyes and draw a picture to get a feel for the difficulty of living without sight.
- “Blind guidance”: Pair students up to navigate a small obstacle course of sorts. Blindfold one of the duo and have the other guide through the course.
- Use other senses to practice life without vision: have students touch, listen to, or taste things without looking at them, and invite them to guess what the items might be.
- Make some noise! Have students take turns being loud in different ways. If your eardrums can take it, split the group and see which half can be louder.
- Vocal charades: Rather than acting out things, have students imitate sounds (animals, instruments, dripping water, etc.) for others to guess.
- What do we NEED? Have a discussion with students about the difference between needing something for survival and just wanting it.
Share with students that today’s story is about a man who was blind, and how Jesus healed him. This man called to Jesus in his need and believed that Jesus was the Messiah capable of curing him. We can consider how God listens to our prayers and loves us no matter what.
Kids Bible Lesson from Mark 10:46-52
Bible Lesson: This passage is one that could certainly be acted out by student participants or puppets. It is short and contains some dramatic elements. You could also have older students take turns reading the verses, or read them out loud yourself. If needed, provide background and context. Choose the preferred reading method for your group ages and size.
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” -Mark 10:46-47
There’s not a whole lot we know about Bartimaeus. He was blind, though from birth or later in life we are not sure. We don’t quite know how he had heard about Jesus, though it is likely that word had spread about the “Rabbi healer” who had been going around. By crying out to Jesus and acknowledging Him as the “Son of David”, he was showing that he believed in who Jesus was.
Ask: Have you ever wanted to pray, but not known what to say? Have you ever cried to Jesus?
The story continues as some tried to “shush” Bartimaeus…
Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” -Mark 10:48
Perhaps students have been told to quiet down during church services (or otherwise). While there is a time and place to be silent and respectful, it is encouraging to see here that Bartimaeus did not lose heart. On the contrary, the more people tried to quiet him, the louder he got! Finally, Jesus called for what the beggar might want…
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
-Mark 10:49-50
Do you think God cares about us? Does He listen when we call? This passage reminds us that He truly does! Jesus asked Bartimaeus to come to Him. His status as a beggar did nothing to deter the Messiah to reach out to him. Jesus asked what might have been an obvious question…
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. -Mark 10:51-52
Ask: If God asked you for anything and you KNEW you could get it, what would you ask for?
Wrap up the story by explaining how wonderful it is that Jesus healed Bartimaeus instantly. However, emphasize to kids that there are times we might ask for things in this life, and not receive immediate healing. In the story, Jesus recognized the faith of Bartimaeus. We might think that we don’t have “enough” faith, but with CHRIST, all things are possible! Even if we don’t “see” or receive what we ask for right away, we can know that God is in control and we can call on Him for all things!
Close with prayer, thanking God for hope and healing, and for always being near to hear and care about us when we cry to Him.
Bible Coloring Page
Bible Craft Ideas
Craft: Bartimaeus isn’t the only blind man healed in the Bible, and there are several fun crafts that can be used to celebrate such stories. Here are a few ideas:
- Make a “blind to sight puppet” with a paper bag, hiding google eyes under the flap to show how Bartimaeus was brought from darkness to vision.
- Make a “blind to sight puppet” with paper plates, stapling two paper plates together with a face drawn on one side. Cut a window in the face and slide a stick into the plates with eyes that can disappear and reappear.
- Create a noisemaker to recount the loud cries of Bartimaeus: make a kazoo out of a paper towel roll, or make a rhythm shaker with cups and dry noodles, rice, or beans.
- Roll a long cone-shaped piece of paper into a megaphone shape and decorate it to “cry out.”
- Decorate over-sized sunglasses, or create glasses out of construction paper to emphasize the “visual” element.
i think you have such a talent when it comes to teach the lesson, great resource, big help for me. Thank you!!