Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 11: “Jesus Could Heal a Man Born Blind”
Today’s Bible Bite: John 9:1-38

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4qZ2KSbdxI (Saddleback Kids)

“Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man [Jesus] were not from God, he couldn’t have done it” (John 9:32-33).

One day as Jesus was walking with the disciples, they came across a man who had been born blind. The disciples thought he was born this way as a punishment–God must have punished him or his parents for some wrong act. Jesus corrected their thinking and said that the man’s blindness was not because God was punishing anyone, but because God wanted to demonstrate His great power through him!

Jesus then made some mud and put it on the man’s eyes. He told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam, which he did and amazingly he could now see. This got everyone talking. They had known this man for years as the blind beggar, but here he was able to see! What happened? The man told them Jesus had healed him, but because many of the religious teachers didn’t like Jesus, they refused to believe him. But the man knew who Jesus was–He was the Messiah!

Think about it...

• Sometimes people think that bad stuff only happens because God is punishing someone. Why did Jesus say this man was born blind?
• Jesus made mud and put it on the man’s eyes then told him to go wash. Why didn’t Jesus stick around?
• The people took the man to the religious leaders. Who did the man think Jesus was?
• After the man was kicked out by the religious leaders, Jesus found him. What did the man do when Jesus introduced himself?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you gave this man his eyesight. Thank you that he had the courage to stand up for Jesus, even before he knew who he was. Help me to be ready to stand up for you, too, and be quick to thank you when you help me.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 8: “Jesus Could Heal by Passing By”
Today’s Bible Bite: Mark 5:21-34

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS7noEiD7NI

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’” (Mark 5:34).

One day, Jesus was asked to go and help a very sick girl and He agreed. Lots of people followed along because they wanted to see what Jesus would do. There was a woman in the crowd who had been sick for a very long time–12 years! She had gone to many doctors, but she had only gotten worse, not better. She believed if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes she would get better.

It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what happened. The instant she touched Jesus, she could feel that she was healed....and Jesus felt it too! He turned around to the crowd and asked who had touched Him. Jesus’ disciples thought this was a really strange question to ask; Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd and many people had! But Jesus knew that only one person had touched Him and had the faith that it would heal her. When the woman admitted it was her, Jesus assured her that God had healed her because of her faith and because He loved her.
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Think about it...

• This lady had been sick for a long time, but still hoped she could get better. Have you ever been sick like that?
• She heard that Jesus was nearby and believed that He could heal her. Is there something you need Jesus’ help with?
• Jesus wanted to know who had touched Him. Why do you think He insisted on her coming forward?
• She had faith that just by touching Jesus she would be made well. What did Jesus tell her had made her well?

​Prayer: Thank you, God, that you promise to help us. Our faith in you is very important to you. Please help us to trust you and believe in your ability to do so, just like this woman did.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 6: “Jesus Could Calm a Storm”
Today’s Bible Bite: Matthew 8:23-27

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYLHqdSO9OY (Saddleback Kids)

“The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him’” (Matthew 8:27)!

After a very busy day of teaching people and healing the sick, Jesus was tired and needed some time to rest. He told the disciples to take their boat to the other side of the lake; once they were on the water, Jesus fell asleep. And He would have continued to sleep except that the disciples woke Him up. They were in a panic! A storm had begun and was threatening to sink the boat...how could Jesus sleep at a time like this?

Jesus saw how scared they were. Why hadn’t they woken Him up in the first place to help them instead of trying to get through the storm on their own? Why were they so scared when He was there to help them? He got up, told the storm to settle down and everything turned instantly calm. The disciples were astounded...Jesus could not only heal people, He could make the weather obey Him too!

Think about it...

• Jesus was very tired and needed rest, but that doesn’t explain how He could sleep through a terrible storm. Why do you think Jesus could sleep at a time like this?
• Sometimes we have ‘storms’ that scare us. What ‘storms’ have you experienced?
• The disciples tried to get to the other side without Jesus’ help, but couldn’t. Why was Jesus disappointed with them?
• When we ask God to help us with a problem, we have confidence that God will help us. What ‘storms’ would you like Jesus to help you with?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that You are bigger than any storms. Thank you that You are always ready and willing to help us. You don’t always take the storm away, but we can have confidence that You will help us. We don’t have to be scared!

Through the Bible in 2020

Last week, we learned about Jesus’ gift to the believers–the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit now lives in everyone who believes in and wants to serve Jesus. After the Holy Spirit came something amazing happened...the followers of Jesus were able to do many of the same miracles Jesus had done! Today, we’re going to learn about a time when Peter and John healed a paralyzed man with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Lesson - “Peter & John - Miracles Continue!”
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John & Peter help a lame man walk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u9EEbojnbY (Superbook)

Lesson Overview:

Acts 3:1-3 - Peter & John were going into the Temple to pray when they saw a man who had been unable to walk...ever! Everyday, he was carried to the gate so that he could beg for money. Can you imagine never being able to walk, to run, to play sports, to climb trees, to ride a bike? This man had never done any of those things.

3:4-6 - He had hoped to get some money from Peter and John, so he must have been disappointed when Peter informed him they didn’t have any money; then confused when Peter told him they would share what they had; then surprised when Peter told him to get up. How would you have felt if you were this man? Would you have believed Peter or thought he was just playing a cruel joke?

3:7-8 - Peter reached down and helped him up–instantly he could walk and even jump around. He was quick to thank God for the miracle; even though Peter had helped him stand, he knew it was God who had helped him walk. When good things happen in your life do you remember to thank God?

3:9-12 - Many people saw the miracle and many others recognized that this man who was excitedly jumping around and praising God was the beggar they had known for years who was born unable to. They were amazed by the miracle the Holy Spirit had done through Peter. As the crowds gathered, Peter realized that this was a great opportunity to tell people about Jesus...and so he did, right there and then! What would you think if you had witnessed this miracle? Would you have listened to Peter and believed what he said because of the miracle you had just witnessed?

This week’s verse:
2 Corinthians 5:17 - “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ”

The Holy Spirit continues to help those who believe in Jesus, especially when it involves helping others. He gives us special abilities, teaches us, encourages us and even changes us so that our thoughts, words and actions are the same as Jesus’ thoughts, words and actions.
​~ Pastor Jane

Theme Verse for 2020:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16+17

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cmppSIQUX4 (Saddleback Kids)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8DThllZAY (The Chosen)

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven. Pick up you mat and go home’” (Mark 2:5,11).

Word was spreading quickly that Jesus was healing people, so much so that it was hard for Jesus to get any quiet time–the crowds just kept coming! One day, He was teaching the people from a house, but it got crowded really fast. Some men had heard that Jesus was there, so they brought their friend who couldn’t walk to the house; when they arrived there were too many people to get to Jesus. But that didn’t stop them. They climbed up onto the roof, made a hole and lowered their friend down on ropes right in front of Jesus.

Jesus saw that they believed He could heal their friend, but He also saw that he needed one more thing...to be forgiven! So Jesus both forgave the man and healed his body too–He made the man well both physically and spiritually. The man did as Jesus told him–he picked up the mat his friends had carried him on, walked out through the crowd and headed for home. Everyone was amazed and thanked God for this wonderful miracle.

Think about it...

• This story is about a paralyzed man; that means he couldn’t walk. What did his friends do for him?
• Do you know someone who can’t walk or do other things. What can you do for them to help?
• The friends believed Jesus could heal the man. Why did Jesus first forgive his sins?
• The religious people thought Jesus was committing a crime against God by telling the man his sins were forgiven. What did Jesus do to prove He was allowed to forgive people’s sins?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for healing the man who couldn’t walk...you made his body healthy and his spirit too. When I need help, please remind me to ask you. Thank you for my friends and family, and the ways that they take care of me.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 3: “Jesus Could Heal Leprosy”
Today’s Bible Bite: Luke 5:12-16; 17:11-19

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzZUDRrKgI8 (Saddleback Kids - Luke 17:11-19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8DThllZAY (The Chosen - Luke5:12-16)

“Lord, if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean” (Luke 5:12b).

In Jesus’ day, leprosy was a scary disease to have and it had no cure. Because it was contagious, people who got sick with leprosy were not permitted to live in towns or in homes with their families. In fact, they weren’t allowed to even walk near other people and had to shout, “unclean” to warn others to stay away. People were scared of others who were sick with leprosy because they saw how horrible it was and didn’t want to get sick too. Jesus, however, wasn’t scared.
There are stories in the Bible of Jesus healing people who were sick with leprosy. Sometimes He would touch them in order to heal them, sometimes He just talked to them. No matter how He did it, they all got better! No doctor could do that. This was another proof that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God!

Think about it...

• Leprosy was a scary disease with no cure in Jesus’ day. No one likes to get sick. What scary illnesses can people get sick with today?
• Lepers were not allowed to live with their healthy families. How would you feel if your family couldn’t spend time together?
• When sick people heard that Jesus was nearby they would go to Him. Why?
• Imagine you lived back in Jesus’ day and were sick. Would you want to see Jesus?

Prayer: Thank you, God, for healing lepers of their terrible sickness. Thank you that you showed that we don’t have to be scared of people, but should help take care of them.

Season 2: Only the Messiah Could...
Episode 1: “Water to Wine”
Today’s Bible Bite: John 2:1-11

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7plJa_qnVug (Saddleback Kids)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhjvAAkXbj0 (The Chosen - real life depiction)

“Turning water to wine at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him” (John 2:11).

Jesus and his friends went to a wedding. His mother, Mary, came to Jesus and told her that the hosts had run out of wine for all the guests. Why was this such a problem, you may wonder. Well, imagine going to a birthday party where they ran out of cake. It would be terrible. Running out of wine at a wedding in Jesus’ day was just as bad! Mary was concerned that her friends would suffer embarrassment from not having provided enough for the guests to drink.

She told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to. So when He instructed them to fill jars with water and then to scoop some out for the Master of Ceremonies to taste–he was responsible for making certain that the wine served was good–they did. Imagine their surprise, when the water now turned wine turned out to be some of the best wine he had ever tasted. When Jesus’ friends heard about it, they became even more convinced that He must be the Messiah!

Think about it...

• A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion. Why would running out of wine have been a problem?
• Initially, Jesus seemed reluctant to perform a miracle. Why do you think He may have hesitated? Why did He change His mind?
• Jesus told the servants to scoop out the water and take it to the Master of Ceremonies. Would you have done it? What if the water hadn’t changed?
• Jesus did change the water to wine. What do you think about the fact that it was the best wine that the Master of Ceremonies had ever tasted?
• God loves us and wants to help us. Are you facing a problem today that you need help to solve? What can you do about it?

Prayer: Thank you, God, that you care about us and are willing to help us. It is amazing that Jesus could change water to wine. Thank you for this miracle that helped to convince His friends that Jesus was your promised Messiah, the rescuer. Thank you, that you can help me too!

Through the Bible in 2020

Jesus did lots of miracles when He was on earth, which proved He was the Christ–the long awaited Messiah! But some people refused to believe, especially the religious leaders. They were jealous that Jesus was so popular and many chose to ignore Jesus’ miracles and to discredit Him–they refused to believe He was the Messiah, no matter what He did.

Today’s Lesson: When Miracles Aren’t Enough

Why did people have trouble believing in Jesus? Learning from Nicodemus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQDGTtfwDSY

The Story of Jesus from the Book of John:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8

For older children / parents - Understanding Miracles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX0eAgVvGLg

Lesson Overview:
Today, there are many people that refuse to believe that Jesus is the Son of God–the promised Messiah who can rescue us from sin and forgive us so that we can experience a relationship with God. It was no different when Jesus’ lived on earth. Some people didn’t care how many miracles He performed; they were determined to refuse to believe. (Matthew 12:14)

When Lazarus was raised from the dead, instead of admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the religious leaders plotted to kill not only Jesus but Lazarus too–they had to get rid of the proof of a miracle. (John 11:38-44)

When Jesus healed a man who had been tormented by demons, the religious leaders said that the reason He could perform this miracle was because He got His power from Satan. Jesus pointed out how silly this was–it made no sense that He would use a bad source of power to do good! (Mark 3:20-30)

Even after Jesus healed a man born blind, rather than admit that a miracle from God had taken place, they threw the man out of the Temple and accused him of being full of himself–they didn’t like the idea that this man knew better about Jesus and where his miracle working power came from than they did. (John 9)

This week’s verse:
John 20:31- “But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name. ”

Just like the religious leaders, we may have lots of reasons why we choose not to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Who but God could perform the miracles that Jesus did? No one! We have all the proof we need to believe that Jesus is God’s Son, but it is still up to us to choose to believe or not.
​~Pastor Jane

Theme Verse for 2020:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16+17