INITIATION:
The Bible tells us in John 3:16 “God so loved the world and gave...” What does “the world” in this verse mean? It means “people” and they include not only men and women, but children also. When Jesus came into the world, He showed the love of God to everybody, great and small. He did this by taking care of the needs of people.
Everybody needs love and children are no exceptions. They need love in order to develop well in life. Children need the love of their parents, teachers, pastors, brothers and sisters. But most especially, they need the love of God. Jesus loves children with a love that is both strong and everlasting.
In this lesson, we shall see how Jesus demonstrated His love and care to a little dead girl. We shall also see how He welcomed children to himself and showed them love and acceptance.
BIBLE PASSAGE:
**Mark S:21-24, 35-43; 10:13-16 **
SUBJECT:
JESUS LOVES LITTLE CHILDREN
KEY VERSE:
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them (Mark 10:14, NIV).
AIM:
To help the child realize that Jesus loves him or her and has time for him or her as much as He loves and has time for grown-ups.
FOCUS : The lesson will ensure that every child will show that he or she understands the lesson by:
- Showing that he or she accepts Jesus’ love for him or her personally by reciting correctly the memory verse, using his or her own name.
- Taking part in singing songs of Jesus’ love, and praying sentence prayers of thanks.
- Responding correctly to questions asked by the teacher during and after the lesson.
MAIN LESSON DISCOURSE:
1. Jairus Comes to Jesus - Mark 5:21-24
Jesus and His disciples had just crossed over the Lake of Galilee from the other side where He healed a mad man. When He arrived with His disciples, a large crowd gathered around Him while He was at the lake. This shows that the people were expecting that He would come.
Still at the Lakeside, Jesus began to teach the waiting crowd of people. Immediately, a man came to Him. This man’s name was Jairus. He was one of the rulers of the Jewish Synagogue (Church). So he was an important person. When Jairus came to where Jesus was, he fell on his knees at the feet of Jesus. He told Jesus that his only daughter was sick at home and was about to die. This girl was 12 years old according to her father. Jairus then begged Jesus to go with him to his house and heal the girl. He told Jesus to come and put His hands on the girl so that she will be made well. Jairus did not want his daughter to die. Jesus agreed and set out to go with the man to his house. But He was delayed on the way by another person in need.
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2. Jesus Raises Jairus’ Daughter - Mark 5:35-43
Even though Jesus was busy on the way healing people, yet He did not forget Jairus and his problem. But before they got to the ruler’s house, some people came from his house with bad news. They told Jairus to stop worrying Jesus as his daughter had died. But Jesus ignored the bad message. He turned to Jairus and told him not to be afraid, but to believe. He promised him that his daughter will be healed. Having said this, Jesus continued to the house of Jairus with only Peter, James and John.
At the house of Jairus, Jesus saw many people there crying and making a lot of noise. He told them that there was no need for so much crying as the girl was not dead but asleep. The people laughed at Jesus and scorned Him. They knew the girl was dead, but they forgot that Jesus had power over death. He took Jairus and his wife and His three disciples and went into the room where the dead child was lying. He did not allow any other person to come in. He took the child by the hand and told her to get up.
Immediately, the girl opened her eyes. She stood up and began to walk around the room. She had become completely well. Everybody was surprised because they knew that the girl had been dead. Jesus told the parents not to tell people what had happened. He also told them to give the girl food to eat.
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3. Little Children Are Brought to Jesus - Mark 10:13-16
Here was a time when Jesus was teaching and people were bringing little children to Him so that He could touch them. Because of this, many children were in the crowd that day. When the disciples saw what was happening, they became angry. They felt that Jesus should not be bothered with children. Maybe they thought Jesus was only for the grown-ups. So they began to scold the children and those who brought them. They told them to take away the children and stop disturbing their Master.
Jesus didn’t like this at all. He rebuked His disciples for being nasty to children. He commanded them to let children come to Him, and that nobody should stop them from doing so. He explained to His disciples and to others that the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like children.
Jesus was trying to teach the disciples that He always has time for anyone who comes to Him. And that He loves children as much as He loves adults. Children are very important to Jesus.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
Pastor Chizurumoke visited a Church some years ago. When it was time for the sermon, he preached on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as he was led. After preaching, he told those who wanted to be baptised in the Holy Spirit to come to the altar, many children in the Church rushed forward for prayer. Some grown-ups also came out.
Suddenly, a woman came and began to drive the children away. She thought that the children would disturb the grown-ups who had come to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This woman did not know that Jesus loves children and died for them also. When Pastor Chizurumoke saw what was happening, he stopped the woman. He told her that Jesus said, “Let the children come to me.”
When the people started to pray, a little boy was led to lay his small hands on the children. And anyone he laid his hands on, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He continued doing this. And finally, he laid his hands on all the children who came and all of them received the Holy Spirit.
This shows that Jesus loves children also and that He can also use them. He wants to bless children.
DAILY BIBLE READING:
MON: Little Children Were Brought to Jesus - Matthew 19:13
TUE: The Disciples Rebuke Little Children - Luke 18:15-17
WED: Jesus Christ Intercedes for Us - 1 John 2:1
THU: God Sent Jesus - John 3:16
FRI: We Are the Children of God Romans 8:16
Sat: Children Obey Your Parents - Colossians 3:20
DISCLAIMER:
The original production and publication of this extracts belong to Sunday School Department of Assemblies of God Nigeria, as shown on the front page. We teach in the church and social media available.
