This message describes another of Christ’s remarkable healings. Jesus was noticed and celebrated for His amazing power. People watching did not always recognize who He was or why He did such incredible things, but we know! As kids consider how Jesus healed a man born deaf and mute, they will be encouraged to think about how we can ask God to “open our ears.” We may not have any trouble physically hearing things, but sometimes we don’t pay attention or understand what the Lord says through His Word and through others. We want our ears, mouths, and hearts to be receptive to hearing and sharing His truths.
Law/Gospel Theme: There are many wonderful stories in the Bible focusing on miracles and healings of Jesus. While these are always wonderful to explore and discuss with kids, the over-arching theme to emphasize is what we note in this passage, that Jesus “does all things well.” We cannot on our own power save ourselves or do what we might hope. With Jesus, all things are possible. Whether or not He grants immediate relief for our needs, He is with us and will ultimately provide help and hope.
Optional Materials: Example of something “not well done” (project, failed art work, etc.)
Bible Passage: Mark 7:31-37
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. The opener focuses on something that is not done as well as possible. This example deals with a drawing, but if you happen to be a well-known artist, that might not be the best choice. Use whatever might work best for you.
More Teaching Ideas:
- Watch the video demonstration of this children’s sermon and related Bible craft ideas.
- Compare our full Sunday School Lesson from Mark 7:24-37
Jesus Opens Ears! Children’s Sermon from from Mark 7:31-37
Greet the children, with a “failed project” at hand…
Hello, children of God!
I must say, I’m a little disappointed…I wanted to draw today’s story for you so you could see a beautiful illustration depicted. However…(hold up drawing with poorly attempted stick figures) it didn’t quite turn out how I wanted it to look. I guess drawing is not something that I do very well. In fact, there are several things I don’t do too well, to be honest. I’m not too good with technology, or sports, or…(list a few things you might struggle with). I don’t do all things well. But guess what? I know someone who does…and you know Him, too! I’ll bet you can guess who it is…
That’s right, JESUS does all things well. In fact, in our Gospel passage today, we see people comment on that. Jesus was traveling about and performing some remarkable miracles. He had healed and helped many, and in this story, He had just finished curing a woman’s daughter of nasty demons. People were amazed by all that Jesus did. They knew and trusted that He could do anything.
There were some people who brought Him a man who could not hear or speak. Jesus did not want to make a big public ordeal out of this, but He cared for the man and wanted to help him. He took him aside and did something kind of strange. Jesus put his fingers into the deaf man’s ears (mimic this action on your own ears or a child’s). Then He spit and touched the guy’s tongue, and said “Ephphatha.” That word means “be opened.” And it worked! The man was able to hear and speak instantly. The people who knew him were amazed. Jesus didn’t want them spreading the word too much about what had happened, but they told others anyway. They said of Jesus “He has done all things well”… They realized there was nothing He could not do.
So what does this mean for us? For one thing, we can recognize the awesome power of Jesus. He did amazing miracles while He was here on Earth. And He continues to make miracles happen. Jesus can do anything. On our own, we struggle with things. But we know we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Now, this does not necessarily mean we’ll suddenly be able to hit homeruns or create masterpiece artwork or fix cars. And it might not mean that Jesus will heal us right away if something is hurting. But we understand that He promises to be with us. He is present with us always, and He will one day make all things new.
In this passage, we can also think about how God opens our ears, too. We might not have a hard time hearing, but sometimes we forget to truly listen. We don’t know how to understand or react to what others say or what God says in His Word, the Bible. We can ask Jesus to open our ears so that we would listen for His voice. We can ask Him to open our mouths so that we can tell other people about His love. And we trust that He will help us, because Jesus does all things well!
Let’s say a prayer to thank God for doing all things well:
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for your amazing power
You do all things well
Thank you for your work in our lives
Please open our ears to hear your word
And open our mouths to share your love with others
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. 32 And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. 33 And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and after spitting touched his tongue. 34 And looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” 35 And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36 And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37 And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” -Mark 7:31-37