INTRODUCTION

Have a set of keys for display each week. You can also create a set of construction paper keys with the word “key” written on each key, or simply use a set of real keys. Each week of this series, a “key” word will be introduced to the children. Use a reminder on the set of keys, so that you won’t forget to have the prop ready each week. The “key” word will depict one characteristic of following Jesus that connects the message to the adult worship series.

Mark 1:29-31, NIRV

²⁹Jesus and those with him left the synagogue. Right away they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever. They told Jesus about her right away. ³¹So he went to her. He took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her. Then she began to serve them.

Children's Message

Supplies: Box of Band-Aids®, one single Band-Aid® for each child.

“Key” word of the day is heal. To heal is to make or become healthy or whole. (Word Central online kids dictionary, http://wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=heal).

It’s not very fun to be sick, is it? Have you ever been sick? (Let a few children respond.) When you are sick, who takes care of you? What do they do for you? (Let some other children respond.) Have you ever been hurt? (Let children respond.)

Today’s “Key” word of the day is heal. To heal means to make well or become healthy.

Mark, in his Gospel, tells of a time when Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law and many others who were sick. He made them well again. When you were sick, maybe it was a cold or sore throat. Perhaps you even had to take medicine for a cough. Sometimes you get a hurt that needs a Band-Aid® to help heal the boo-boo. When do you use a Band-Aid®? (Let children respond.)

Jesus also healed the hurts of people on the inside. Sometimes people hurt when they are sad, lonely, or upset. Jesus can take care of those hurts too! Today’s Bible story also teaches us that Jesus prayed for the people who were sick.

Think of one hurt on the inside you may have right now. Don’t answer out loud. Maybe you’re sad because your friend moved away or you’re having a problem at school. Just think about that hurt. I’m going to put a Band-Aid® on your hand to help you remember that Jesus can help heal that hurt. Every time you look at your Band-Aid® today, remember that Jesus loves you and is with you. Sometimes you might feel better quickly and sometimes it might take some time. But as we learned last week, Jesus promised to always be with us!

Prayer: Loving and caring God, thank you for taking care of our hurts. Please help each person with the hurts that he/she is thinking about right now. Thank you for loving us. In Jesus’ precious and strong name. Amen.