Jesus Hears Our Call!
Call out to Jesus…He wants to help and heal! This lesson uses fun noise makers and the healing of a blind man to remind children that they can go to Jesus with any need. Bartimaeus trusted Jesus and knew He could do anything. He did not let anyone deter him from approaching the Messiah. We can rejoice that Jesus does want us to reach out to Him. We also recognize that Jesus is with us and will ultimately provide healing, if not in this life, in the Resurrection one day!
Law/Gospel Theme: Many people in Biblical times considered any physical hardship to be the result of sin. Most would likely not give Bartimaeus a second look, considering his blindness to be his own fault (or perhaps his family’s responsibility). Jesus came to seek and serve the lost. He appreciated the great faith that Bartimaeus demonstrated, and healed him immediately. We can trust that Jesus cares for us and will heal us, if not now, then in Heaven one day.
Optional Materials: Noise making items (kazoos, clappers, shakers, etc.)
Bible Passage: Mark 10:46-52
More Children’s Ministry Teaching Ideas:
- Watch the video of this children’s sermon lesson or the realted Bible craft ideas
- Download a full Mark 10:46-52 Sunday School lesson
- Compare an alternate Kids Bible Lesson on Blind Bartimaeus
- Compare the Mark 10:46-52 children’s sermon from rFour.org
Message Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) Children’s Sermon
Greet children, perhaps with some implements that could be used to make noise.
Hello, children of God! I want you to do something this morning that you’re usually not asked to do in church…I want you to be loud and make a lot of noise! When I tell you to, make a lot of loud noise. You can clap, shout, cheer, or sing (option: offer musical instruments or noise makers for students to use). When I signal to stop, though, make sure to cut off the noise. Ready? Go! (Allow students to make noises for a brief period of time). Great job! Was that fun? Normally, if you make too much noise in church, people get upset. You might have someone tell you to be quiet if you get loud. Well, in the story we’re looking at today, there was a man who was making some loud noise, and people tried to get him to be quiet. But this man was crying out to Jesus, and Jesus always cares when we call to Him.
The Gospel of Mark tells us about a man named Bartimaeus, who was blind. Can you imagine not being able to see anything at all? Close your eyes for a minute. What if your whole life was like that, and you couldn’t see? It would make a lot of things challenging. It was even worse in Bible times. People thought that if you had a physical challenge, it meant you had done something wrong. It would be nearly impossible to get a job, so a lot of times begging for money was the only option. And that’s what Bartimaeus was: a beggar. He would sit on the road side and beg for coins, hoping for generosity from strangers. One day, he begged for something more. He heard that Jesus was coming through. Word had spread about Jesus, and Bartimaeus believed that He was someone special who might be able to help him.
When Jesus came by, Bartimaeus started shouting out, crying to Jesus as the “Son of David” and begging for mercy. This demonstrated something significant. Proclaiming Jesus to be the Son of David showed that Bartimaeus understood He was the Messiah. It showed that he believed in who Jesus was and had faith in His authority to forgive sins. Well, the people around Bartimaeus tried to quiet him down. They didn’t think Jesus would care about such a man. But he just shouted more loudly! Jesus didn’t tell him to quiet down, though. He called Bartimaeus over, and asked what he wanted. Bartimaeus boldly asked for his sight. Jesus recognized the trust and faith of this man, and immediately healed him. The Bible says that Bartimaeus followed Jesus down the road. His life was transformed in an instant by that encounter with Jesus.
This story is a remarkable example of the power Jesus had and His ability to help and heal others. It also reminds us that He cares about each and every one of us. Jesus wants to help us. He wants to hear our cries, and welcomes them. He wants us to bring our needs, wants, and worries to Him in prayer. Jesus promises to be near to us and listen to us. But what about when healing doesn’t come as we want? Sometimes Jesus will not give us what we think we need, at least not in His timeline. We might not have physical healing or just what we ask God for. However, we are promised that God loves us and is present with us. Someday we will be in Heaven, where all things are cured and made new. So even if we don’t have everything “just right” now, we have the hope that Jesus does hear us and does care for us. He’s given us the healing of salvation, so nothing can come against us. That’s a great reason to make some noise!
Let’s pray and thank God for hearing, helping, and healing us, one way or another.
Children’s Prayer Moment
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the miracles of Jesus
Thank you for healing our hearts
Help us to trust in you and keep our faith strong
Thank you for caring for our needs
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
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!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 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.
51 “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 10:46-52