Jesus Helps a Man Who Cannot Walk
Reference
Introduction
We all think about our friends. We want them to be happy. And we want them to be well. This man's friends carried him to Jesus. They knew that Jesus could do very special things. More than anything, they wanted Jesus to make their friend well. They had a big surprise. Jesus had something that was even better to give the man.
The roof of the house was flat. People made it out of sticks. There were stairs outside the house so that people could get up to the roof.
Jesus knew that the 4 men believed. They believed that Jesus could help their friend. But they could not get through the door. Still they did not stop believing.
The teachers of God's rules were right in one thing. Only God can forgive the wrong things that people have done. But they were wrong about Jesus. Because he had God's authority.
Questions to ask
(v1-2) A big crowd of people came when Jesus came back to his home. Why do you think that was?
(v2) What did Jesus do?
(v3-4) Think about if you were in the house. How would you feel? What would you think when the man's friends made a hole through the roof?
(v5) What did the 4 friends think Jesus would do? How did they feel when Jesus said 'I forgive you'?
(v6) The teachers of God's rules said something that was important. Only God can forgive the wrong things that people have done. What does this tell us about Jesus? Who did he say that he was?
(v8) Jesus knew what the teachers of God's rules were thinking. Does Jesus know what we are thinking?
(v11) Do you think that Jesus can still help people? Does he help the people that you pray for?
(v12) The people saw the man walking. Then what did they say? What do you do when God does very special things?
Something to do
Do you know people who are ill? You could visit them.
Thank God when he does powerful things.
Perhaps you have friends who have not heard about Jesus. Think about them. How can you help them to come to Jesus?