Dear Parents,

Thanks for joining us again as we do Children’s Worship from home!

Note: Please let us know about how your family is enjoying Children’s Worship! Take some pictures of your family participating in Children’s Worship or share a story. You can post to the Gold Avenue Church Facebook page or send by email at goldavechurch@gmail.com

Friendship and Forgiveness

Based on: Mark 2:1-12

EQUIP:

(It’s not an activity, but just a little background on the story for you, the parent, to read.)

A few years ago, a major league baseball player became a media sensation simply because he showed up for every game to do his job. Because our culture doesn’t have very high expectations of sports stars, it became a big deal that the player had perfect attendance!

Today’s Bible story shows us the beauty of doing more than is expected—both on the part of the four friends and also on the part of Jesus Himself! Helping others may sometimes require courage and creativity as we follow Jesus’ example to go beyond what is expected in showing love.

For me, the times others have gone out of their way to help me are memories that I treasure. And they motivate me to want to take extra measures in helping others. But the abundant love of Jesus is the real life changer! There is no way to pay back His love. We can only live a life of love in grateful response to the way that Christ has loved us.

Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man gives us a complete picture of how Jesus intervenes in our lives. Jesus, God’s Son, not only healed the man’s legs, but healed the man’s soul as well. The healed man was a living witness to Jesus’ power over sin. We, too, when we believe in Jesus, can be forgiven of our sin and be witnesses of His power in our lives.

Mary Davis, Senior Editor

Activity One: Read the intro. Watch the video of the story.

Activity Two: Discuss the story using provided questions as prompts. Prayer.

Worship: Singing

Activity Three: Respond to the story by doing the activity.

Activity Four: Bless your children

Activity 1: STORY

Introduction:To read the children:

Wherever Jesus went, there was plenty of excitement! On this particular day, Jesus and His friends were in Capernaum. Of course, news spread like wildfire—”Jesus is here!” Once people found out where Jesus was, what do you think happened? (a) They set off fireworks. (b) They gathered for a fish fry on the beach. (c) They crowded in and around the house where Jesus was staying. Pause for students to respond. And the answer is C! People crowded inside the house. When it was full, more people crowded around the windows and doors and all around outside! The house was packed, inside and out!

Watch video:

Activity 2: DISCUSSION

What does it mean to be paralyzed? (Cannot move. Cannot move arms and/or legs.)

What did the friends of the paralyzed man do to meet the needs of their friend? (They carried their friend to see Jesus. They dug a hole in a roof and lowered the man down.)

What did the friends expect Jesus to do? (Heal their friend.)

How did Jesus go beyond what was expected? (He healed the man AND forgave his sins.)

What can you do this week to follow Jesus’ example in helping others? (Look for people to help. Try to help people in my family before they ask for help. Treat friends kindly and respectfully.)

Encourage children to pray for God to help them with helping others this week in their own words. Then, transition into a time of prayer for personal requests.

Worship Songs:

Activity 3: RESPONSE ACTIVITY #1

Supplies

Card stock

Crayons

Glue

Yarn in a variety of colors

Scissors

We can use our hands to help others. What are some ways you can use your hands to help someone at school? At home? This week, see if you can not only meet a need by helping someone, but also see if you can go beyond what is expected!

Give each child a sheet of cardstock and a crayon. Child traces one of their hands on the piece of paper and then applies a thin line of glue to the crayon lines. Child places a length of yarn on the line of glue. Child then prints on the card stock a word or phrase as a reminder to help others. Students add designs with glue, covering the glue with different colors of yarn. Using crayons instead of markers to trace hands will help students avoid getting marks along the edges of their hands.

Response Activity #2 Print and Color

Activity 4: CLOSING BLESSING

There were lots of unexpected actions in this story! The four friends not only carried their friend to Jesus but also tore a hole in the roof! And, best of all, Jesus not only healed the man’s legs but also forgave his sins! The man’s needs were met in unexpected ways. Every day we can look for ways to meet the needs of others, too.

(______________), May you find ways to go beyond what is expected in helping others this week