Luke 5 v 17 – 26

Matthew 9 v 1 – 8 and Mark 2 v 1 – 12

Lesson Aim

To understand that Jesus can forgive sins because he is God’s son.

Hook 1: Cardboard box house,  pipe-cleaner men and stretcher

Make a house out of a box, with cardboard stairs going up the outside. It only needs one door and one window but have a sharp knife ready to cut open part of the roof at the appropriate point in the story. Alternatively pre-cut a hole in the roof and cover it with paper so that it can be easily torn open. If you are unable to make a house out of a cardboard box then a simple one could be made out of Lego bricks with stairs running up the outside of the house. Leave holes for the window and doors.

Demonstrate how people could carry a stretcher up the steps onto the roof with the pipe-cleaner men. They should also have a stretcher with a lame man lying on it.

Hook 2: Stretcher or inflatable bed

If you have sufficient leaders, they could carry a ‘lame man’ into the room with him lying on a stretcher or inflatable bed. Make sure that they have practised doing this before the story time otherwise anything could happen. The people carrying their friend could pretend to break up the ‘roof’ and lower their friend down.

Hook 3: Questions

Why did Jesus come to earth? Jesus himself gives us the answer to this question. Listen for the answer in today’s story.

Story tips:

If you are using a sharp knife to cut open the box, give some thought as to its careful use and where you place it away from the children.

Application

Jesus told the lame man that his sins were forgiven! This is why Jesus came to earth, so that people like you or me could have their sins forgiven. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you all of your wrong doings, your sins, and become right with God?