L e ss o n 24 Jesus Heals the sick Summary of Today’s Story Back in Cana, Jesus meets a royal official whose son is near death. At the man’s pleading, Jesus promises that the boy will live, without even seeing him. “The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.” Later the father finds that his son did begin to recover from illness at the very moment that Jesus promised life. Then Jesus heals a man at the pool at Bethesda, where the man was hoping to be healed by the curative waters. Problems begin to develop as Jesus healed on the Sabbath, and the man reported the healing to “the Jews,” meaning the Judean authorities. The last sentence in this story is: “For this reason the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because he was not only breaking the sabbath, but was also calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God.”

Where You’ll Find Today’s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. John 4-5, especially 4:46-54 and 5:1-18

In Children’s Bibles If you plan to use a children’s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of today’s story in the space below.

In Our Sunday Lectionary The story of healing the sick man is told in church on the following Sunday: Year C: Sixth Sunday of Easter (RCL)

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

2  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story In this story, like Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman at the well, we also encounter another contrast: two healings, two responses to Jesus’ gift of life wholeness. The “royal official” was probably a Gentile and so not one whom we expect to have faith in a Jewish wonder worker, or to have any expectation of a saving Messiah, or even to believe in a God. But his faith is so great and so sure that he does not even need Jesus to physically come to his son’s side. So the official not only expresses faith in Jesus. He also demonstrates his faith by putting to action his faith and his trust in Jesus. He returns home as Jesus commanded. “The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way (4:50).” And so the son becomes well, and the official is transformed, having first believed and having had faith in Jesus’ love. “So he himself believed, along with his whole household (4:53).” The sick man, on the other hand, is cured physically by Jesus, but we have no sense of any spiritual healing. Indeed, when he first encounters Jesus, he seems to have lost hope of ever being healed, sitting for years at the pool of healing while never being able to enter the water that might heal him. Jesus even asks, “Do you want to be made well?” The man’s problem has become a way of life after all these years. But God may have special work for us in spite of, or because of, our problems. When we triumph over our hurts, we can minister to others’ hurts. This would have been a spiritual transformation to accompany the physical transformation of the sick man.

But when Jesus makes him well, on a Sabbath, the most visible result in this story is that the Jews began persecuting him because he healed on a Sabbath— breaking one of the most important Jewish laws. We see no transformation in the healed man, no increase in faith, or belief, or obedience, or even thankfulness for the gift of wholeness that Jesus has given to him. Even a miraculous healing does not give him faith, or even a good disposition! Do we know anyone like him who so resists thankfulness of God’s grace—is that sometimes us? So the question for us is: who are we most like? Note: When John talks about “the Jews,” he is referring to the ruling authorities in Judea, usually not to the Jewish people in general. Sometimes we will say “the Judeans” to make the distinction between these authorities and the Jewish people.

The Episcopal Thread At the end of the Sunday Prayers of the People, the priest says a closing prayer. “The Collect at the Prayers” is found in BCP, pp. 394-395. One of the prayers is: ■■ Almighty God, to whom our needs are known before we ask, help us to ask only what accords with your will; and those good things which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot ask, grant for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This prayer reflects the Church’s teaching that we put our trust in God to know what God wills of us, which may differ from what we think we want or need. The rite of Ministration to the Sick, using the laying on of hands or anointing with oil (BCP, pp. 453459) reflects the belief that in asking for God’s healing grace, we are asking for wholeness in body, mind and spirit, as God wishes for us.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

3  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Gathering

Telling the Story

As the children enter the room, engage them in a simple activity that relates to today’s

Read today’s story aloud from a children’s Bible, showing the pictures, or tell the story in your own words.

For young children, put out a “story box” of healing supplies and medical toys such as bandages, stethoscopes and other medical items for them to play with. Such a box will focus the children on sickness and healing, and provide an introduction to your lesson.

Or dramatize the two healing stories. The story of the sick man at the pool with the other sick people all around him jostling to get into the pool when the waters move would be perfect for dramatization. See Storytelling Enhancements in the Appendix (also downloadable) for suggested ways to dramatize a story.

lesson.

Other children may wish to work on a gathering activity, such as Jesus’ Work on page 8. Or give them paper and crayons or markers and ask them to create a get-well card for someone they know who is sick, or for someone in the church who is sick. (See page 9.) These may be given to the clergy to give to people during their hospital or home visits.

Let the children hear the story without analyzing it for them or discussing it. For now, simply let the story sink into their minds and hearts. Later, while having snacks, you can bring up the story again and invite the children to talk about it and explore its message.

Older children can be asked to make get-well cards, and in addition will enjoy talking and visiting with each other while doing so. Encourage friendly conversation while making sure that the conversation is appropriate to the spirit of Christ’s church. (Discourage gossip, nasty talk, putdowns and other uncharitable talk.) After all the children have arrived and had a few minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather them together and say a simple opening prayer: ■■ We thank you, Lord, for our time together here, with each other and with you. Please bless all who are here today [you may name names], and send your blessings on those who are absent or sick [name names]. And as we spend this hour learning about you and your love for your people, show us how we can know you more clearly and love you more dearly. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

4  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Prayer Set up a small worship center in your room.

Materials: small table with a cloth to cover it 2 candles or a single large Christ candle matches Bible cross optional: flowers (real, artificial or handmade by the children) Have the children set up a simple altar with the materials listed above. Invite them to place on the altar any drawings or crafts that they created during Gathering time. Then light the candles.

Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself, then invite prayers from each child in the circle: ■■ Invite thanks for God’s presence in our lives during the past week. Encourage children to reflect on how God has guided them and been with them in the concrete instances in their lives. ■■ Ask for any prayers of intercession, praying for anyone in need, for the sick and for those in any trouble. Prayers may be made for family, friends, those in the community or for oneself. ■■ Recognize birthdays or other special occasions and give thanks to God for giving us the opportunity to celebrate these special times. ■■ End worship time with the Lord’s Prayer, prayed together. Carefully extinguish the candles.

Read a verse from today’s scripture from a Bible so that the children connect the story they heard with the Bible, which is the word of God. If working mainly with older children, you might expand the reading to several verses. Suggestions for the readings: For younger children: John 4:49-51 or John 5:8-9 For older children: John 4:46-53 Help familiarize the children with our liturgy by doing the reading as it is done in church. Read as follows: Reader: A reading from the book of John: (Read the selected passage.) Reader: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

5  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Sharing Pass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as: ■■ For these and all God’s mercies, may God’s holy Name be blessed and praised, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Or have children share a special table grace learned at home or camp. Say grace all together, if everyone knows the words. This is an excellent time, while sharing a snack, to begin talking about the story that the children have just heard. Help children to express their reactions, whether emotional or cognitive. Wonder together about healing miracles or about the attitudes of the sick people in the story: ■■ What do you wonder about in today’s healing story(ies)? ■■ What surprised you?

■■ How did the royal official whose son was sick respond to Jesus’ healing? How does that compare to the response of the sick man by the healing pool after Jesus healed him? Which one responded to Jesus by believing in him? Do you know anyone who has been very sick? What was that like for them and for their family and friends? ■■ Jesus got in trouble with the religious authorities for healing on the sabbath. What do you think about that? What did you learn about Jesus in today’s story(ies)? Children may ask why God does not work miracles with them or those they love. You will need to be sensitive to their concerns and answer honestly and with compassion.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

6  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc.

Activities for This Week’s Session

After Sharing, begin an activity to supplement and enhance today’s story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so that they make the connection. Suggested story-related activities are provided at the end of this lesson on pages 8-26. Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 3-6 in the Appendix (also downloadable) where we’ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

7  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2

Memorization There is no Bible passage to memorize for this lesson. You may continue to encourage memorization of the books of the New Testament and the responses of the Prayer Book.

Weaving the Family of God As your time together draws to a close, take a few minutes to help the children summarize the story and say what they learned today by asking questions such as: ■■ Who met Jesus in our stories today? ■■ What did Jesus say and do for them? ■■ How did the people respond to Jesus?

Closing Prayer Before the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God’s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: ■■ Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time together with you. Now send us back to our family and friends with your blessing and your healing touch in our lives, as you healed the people in the stories today. We pray this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen. End with a dismissal used in church, such as: ■■ The peace of the Lord be always with you. The children respond: ■■ And also with you!

Encourage the children to remember the key ideas and words in this lesson for the family of God: faith, believe, heal.

© 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

G ath e r i n g Acti v ity: J e s u s’ W o r k

Jesus went around the countryside and towns meeting a lot of people. Wander with him by following the line to each letter. As you come to a new letter, write it on the line below to find out what Jesus did.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 8  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  activity © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

G ath e r i n g Acti v ity: G e t w e ll c a r d s for Primary, Elementary, Intermediate

Children make get-well cards for people in the church or for family or friends.

Materials: paper, white or pastel crayons, colored pencils or markers scissors glue

Directions: Invite each child to make a card as follows: 1. Fold the paper into quarters. 2. Design your own get-well card for the sick in our church or community. Use additional materials to embellish your card if you wish, such as glitter, fabric, felt and sequins. 3. Write a short “get well” greeting and have the whole group sign each child’s card. 4. If the cards are for members of your church, give them to your clergyperson or pastoral care team to distribute.

9  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Co m fo r t M at o r B l a n k e t for Elementary, Intermediate

Children make a mat to lie or sit on, or a blanket to cover them when they’re sick or feeling down.

Materials: carpet square for a mat, or flannel or fleece material for a blanket, 1 piece per child fabric pens or paints chalk for pre-designing

Directions: Invite the children to decorate their mat or blanket as follows: 1. Use chalk to make a preliminary picture. 2. Use fabric pens or paint to decorate. Let dry.

10  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

B li n d W o r k s for Intermediate

In this game, children close their eyes, or are blindfolded, and try to find their way to two stations.

Materials: optional: blindfolds cotton balls large bowl large spoon drinking glass or mug paper pencils

Preparation: This game is intended to teach compassion for blindness and to understand how difficult it is not to be able to see the world around you. Children will see how isolating blindness is, and can realize, then, that when Jesus heals a blind person, he is restoring that person into the community of his peers, with whom he or she can now share the world. Set up two stations: a “registration” station and a “beverage” station. The “registration” station can be the dry erase or blackboard in your room, or it can be paper and pencils on a table. The “beverage” station is a table with a bowl full of cotton balls, a large spoon and a large drinking glass or mug (unbreakable).

Directions: 1. Have the children line up front to back. 2. The first person closes his or her eyes or is blindfolded. 3. The “blind” person must go first to the registration station and sign his or her name on the paper or on the board. Then he goes to the beverage station, uses the spoon to scoop some cotton ball “water” into the mug or glass, then empties it back into the bowl. 4. Then the person goes back to the line and taps the next person in line, who repeats the relay.

11  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  game © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

P l a n t e r s o f H e a li n g for Preschool, Primary, Elementary, Intermediate

Children turn odd “junk” into beautiful planters. The plants or seeds represent seeds of healing for these items. So too, Jesus takes our broken bodies and souls and heals them.

Materials: odd containers to serve as planters: old shoes, cans, kitchenware, coffee cans, container shapes made from toys, plastic children’s mugs potting soil seeds or small plants paints paintbrushes glitter glue fabric accessories such as ribbons or rick rack or yarn plant “seeds of healing” in decorated odd planters

Directions: 1. Give a container to each child. Have them decorate with paint, glitter glue and fabric. 2. Add potting soil and plants or seeds.

12  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

“ W e C a r e ” F l u a n d Co l d C a r e Kits for Preschool, Primary

Children assemble kits with items of healing for people who are sick.

Materials: small zipper baggies small travel-size items for flu or colds, such as: aspirin or acetaminophen travel tissues cough drops, individually wrapped tea bag or hot cocoa mix index cards, without lines crayons pompons googly eyes glue

Directions: Invite each child to make a kit as follows: 1. Assemble the bags by putting in one of each kind of care item. 2. Make a cute “greeting card” to cheer up the receiver. Glue a pompon onto the index card. Glue two googly eyes onto the pompon to make a funny “animal.” You may write a cheerful “Hi!” if you wish. Let the glue dry. 3. Put the greeting card into the bag. 4. Give the kits to your clergy or pastoral care team to give to sick people in your community. Or sell them to your congregation, giving the proceeds to a charitable organization or to your church for charitable giving.

13  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  activity © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

S a bb ath C a n d l e h o l d e r for Elementary, Intermediate

Children make a pair of candleholders to use with the “Sabbath Meal” or at home.

Materials: air-drying clay small medium-thick candles for making the hole in the holders for the candle (may give 1 to each child, or use only 1 for the entire group)

Directions: 1. Give each child a large lump of clay. 2. Invite them to shape two balls of clay for the candleholders. Make sure that, in addition, at least half the clay remains for the base that will connect the two holders. Flatten the balls a little, then push a candle into the center of each ball. Shape the ball around the candle, to create the shape that you want. Remove the candle (if you are sharing the candle). 3. Roll the remainder of the clay into a long coil. 4. Placing the candleholders around 2" apart on the table, wrap the coil around and between the candleholders, creating a single two-candle candleholder. They may use them for the Sabbath meal (see page 15), if you choose to do that activity.

14  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

S a bb ath M e a l for Primary, Elementary

This meal of food typical of the Middle East will appeal primarily to primary and elementary children, but preschool and intermediate children may also enjoy the ritual.

Materials: 2 candles matches to light candles plates and napkins pocket bread hummus or other bread spread such as honey (delicious hummus recipe on p. 16) knife for spreading cups and beverage if desired

Directions: 1. Have everyone sit down at the table. 2. Lay out the food in the center of the table. Do not serve it yet. 3. Darken the room. 4. Put the candles on the table and light them. 5. Remind the children of how God rested on the seventh day after the creation of the universe, and so He commanded us to rest also. The day of rest is what we call the Sabbath, and it has been traditionally celebrated by Jewish people between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday. As Christians, we observe the Sabbath on Sunday, the Lord’s Day, the day that remembers the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we will celebrate a Sabbath ritual the way Jewish people do. 6. Say a prayer of thanksgiving. Here is the traditional Jewish grace that Jesus might have said: Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringeth forth bread from the earth. 7. Then pass out the food and enjoy!

15  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  activity © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Hummus recipe #1 (extra easy) Ingredients 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 teaspoons ground cumin ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions: In a blender or food processor, combine garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, salt and olive oil. Blend on low speed, gradually adding reserved bean liquid, until very smooth and until it has the consistency you want.

Hummus recipe #2 (easy) Ingredients 1 clove garlic 1 (19 ounce) can garbanzo beans, half the liquid reserved 4 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons tahini 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon salt black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions In a blender, chop the garlic. Pour garbanzo beans into blender. Place lemon juice, tahini, chopped garlic and salt in blender. Blend until creamy. Scoop the mixture into a serving bowl. Sprinkle with pepper and pour olive oil over the top.

16  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  activity cont. © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Co m e to th e P o o l fo r J e s u s for Preschool, Primary

In this game, children move toward a “healing pool,” and a special treat, without using their feet.

Materials: dishpan with water some small treats in a jar or bowl

Directions: 1. Put the dishpan of water on the floor at one end of the room. This is the “pool of Bethesda.” 2. Have the children line up on the opposite side of the room, side by side. Make a starting line if you need to. 3. Put your hand in the water. When you swirl the water, children may move to get to the “pool.” But they cannot use their feet! They can crawl, wiggle, roll or scoot, but they cannot walk, run, hop or skip, or otherwise use their feet. 4. When you stop swirling the water and take your hand out, they must stop moving. When you swirl the water again, they may move again. 5. When they reach the “pool,” they put one hand in the water and hold one hand out. Put a treat into their outstretched hand.

17  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  |  game © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

H e a li n g N e c k l a c e for Elementary

Children make a necklace with a healing message.

Materials: plastic or leather lacing, or ribbon scissors blue beads, at least 10-12 per child and more if possible paper, various colors* hole punch markers

Directions: Invite each child to make a necklace as follows: 1. Cut the ribbon or lacing to a 24" length. 2. Cut a shape (heart, circle, star) around 2-3" in diameter out of the paper. On it, write the words, “Jesus loves and heals me.”* 3. Punch a hole at the top of the shape. 4. String the ribbon with blue beads, adding the “Heal me” shape in the center. 5. Tie the ends of the string together. *Or you may find other objects that can be decorated and labeled. For example, flat wooden shapes, if they have a hole for stringing, would work well. Or you may cover the paper with laminate so that it will last longer.

18  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

P r ay e r N e c k l a c e for Elementary

Children make a necklace with reminders for five daily prayer times.

Materials: plastic or leather lacing OR thin ribbon different colors of transparent beads scissors medium-to-large safety pins, gold or silver, 5 per child

Directions: Invite each child to make a necklace as follows: 1. Cut a length of lacing or ribbon 24" long. 2. Each student will use five safety pins, representing reminders for prayer times: waking breakfast lunch dinner bedtime 3. Bead the safety pins. You may use a single color per pin, or a rainbow assortment per pin, or whatever combination you wish. 4. Thread the lacing or ribbon through loop at the end of the safety pin and tie the ends together.

19  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

H e a li n g W at e r J a r for Primary

Children make a reminder of the living water and healing that Jesus gives.

Materials: baby food jars with lids blue sand or pebbles tiny seashells water ribbon or raffia straw paper markers glue

Preparation: Outline the jar lid on paper and cut out. Make one circle for each child.

Directions: Invite each child to make a water jar as follows: 1. On the paper circle, write Jesus Is Our Healer. Glue the paper to the lid. 2. Pour around ½ inch blue sand or pebbles into the jar. 3. Put a few tiny seashells into the jar. 4. Fill the jar with water and cover it tightly. Tie a length of ribbon or raffia straw around the neck of the jar.

20  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

H e a li n g P r ay e r B o x for Elementary, Intermediate

Children decorate boxes for holding prayers they may pray when someone they know needs healing.

Materials: small boxes with lids (plain cardboard boxes in fancy shapes are sold in craft stores) paints paintbrushes glitter glue and other decorative elements markers prayers for healing (p. 22)

Preparation: Make a copy of the prayers for healing (p. 22), 1 copy per child.

Directions: Invite the children to decorate the boxes as follows: 1. Paint the outside of the box and lid. 2. When dry, write on the lid with a marker: Healing Prayers. If you wish, you could cut out the title at the top of page 22 glue them to the lid. 3. Decorate the box with sequins, glitter and other decorative elements. 4. Cut apart the prayers for healing and put them into the box. Using the Healing Prayer Box: Invite the children to use their prayer box whenever they or anyone they know is in need of healing—either in body, mind or spirit. They can take a prayer from this healing prayer box and pray to God. They may use a different prayer each day.

21  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

H e a li n g P r ay e r s The following prayers are prayers for the sick found in the Book of Common Prayer, pp. 458-461.

Heavenly Father, watch with us over your child ______, and grant that he/she may be restored to that perfect health which it is yours alone to give; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant _____, and give your power of healing to those who minister to his/her needs, that he/she may be strengthened in his/her weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calmness I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, especially ________, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This is another day, O Lord. I do not know what it will bring, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. Here are a few simpler prayers for children: God of love, when I am sick, take care of me and watch over me. If I am afraid, please make me brave. When I am feeling bad, help me know that you are with me and will never leave me in my pain. Amen. O God, you sent your Son Jesus to heal people who are sick. I pray that you will be with ________, who is sick, and give him/her strength in his/her weakness. Amen. O God, sometimes we are sick. Sometimes people we love are sick. When we are sick, hold us up by your love, and care for us in your wisdom, and stay with us, even when we feel bad. Because when you are with us, we don’t ever need to be afraid. Amen. When I am sick, O God, stay by my side. Comfort me. Help me remember and know the healing power of your love. And then, when I am well, remind me to give you thanks. Amen.

22  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft cont. © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

“ J e s u s H e lps ” P ict u r e for Preschool, Primary

Children make a picture showing Jesus’ love and care for children.

Materials: pictures of Jesus, boy and girl (pp. 24-25) crayons scissors

Preparation Make a copy of the pictures for each child.

Directions: Invite each child to create a picture as follows: 1. Color the pictures and cut out the figures. 2. Let an adult help children cut the slits in Jesus’ lap where shown. 3. Slide the picture of the boy or the girl under the arm of Jesus.

23  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

24  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft cont. © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

25  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft cont. © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.

Fa st B a n d a g e s for Primary, Elementary

In this game, children race to heal their church-school friends.

Materials: box of adhesive bandages

Directions: 1. Divide the group into two teams, sitting or standing in circles. 2. Give one person on each team half of the bandages. 3. At your signal, the person with the bandages is to open a bandage, put it on the child next to him, and pass the other bandages to that child. 4. That child then opens a bandage and puts it on the next child, passing the remaining bandages. The bandages must be placed on a different spot each time! For example, if the first bandage is put on the right knee, the second may be placed on the other knee, or on an elbow, but not on the right knee. 5. The first team to use up all of the bandages wins the healing race.

26  |  Lesson 24  |  Jesus Heals the sick  |  Weaving Together the Family of God, Year 2  | craft © 2011 By Joanna Leiserson. Published by Morehouse Education Resources, www.MorehouseEducation.org. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this page for use in the purchasing congregation only.