VERSES: Luke 7:2-10; Matthew 8:2-13
MEMORY VERSE: Luke 7:9 "...I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."
BOOK TO REMEMBER: 2 Peter. Write "2 Peter" on small slips of paper and hand out to students at the end of class, so they may memorize the book at home.
PRAYER: Pray for the ones who you and your students know that are sick.
SPECIAL SONG: Jesus Taught By Parable And Miracle (see March - Songs We Sing In Bible Class #4 on this blog. Click on orange circle to hear tune.)
VISUAL AID: Large Activity
LESSON POINTS:
- As Jesus was traveling about from city to city, He entered into a city called Capernaum where there was a centurion who was looking for him. A centurion was a commander over a hundred soldiers in the Roman army. He was looking for Jesus because he had a servant who was very dear to him and the servant was so sick that he was going to die. When the centurion heard about Jesus healing people who were sick, he sent word to the elders and pleaded with them to ask Jesus to come and heal his sick servant.
- The elders went to Jesus in a hurry and asked Him to heal the centurion's servant because the centurion was different than other officers in the Roman army. This centurion loved the Jewish nation and had even built a synagogue! The elders said that the centurion was worthy of his request.
- So, Jesus went with them to the centurion's house, but when Jesus was not far from the house, the centurion sent his friends to Jesus to tell Him not to trouble himself by going into the house. He said that he did not think he was worthy to come to Jesus himself, but to just say the word and his servant would be healed. The centurion believed that Jesus did not even need to see his servant to heal him, but that Jesus' words could heal his servant. The centurion said that he was also a man who had men under his authority who obeyed his commands. He could tell a soldier to come and he would come, or tell him to go and he would go. The centurion said these things because he believed that Jesus did not even need to touch his servant to heal him, but only say a word and Jesus' will would be done.
- When Jesus heard what the centurion had to say, He marveled or was astonished and surprised! Jesus turned around to the people who were following Him and said that He had not found anyone in all of Israel who had as great faith as the centurion. Then, the centurion's friends went back to the house and found the sick servant completely well! Jesus could heal with His words just like the centurion believed.
- Jesus taught the people by parables, by miracles, and by commands. He taught in many ways, so the people would believe that He was the Son of God.
- Bible definition of faith? Read Hebrews 11:1. Can we please God with or without faith? Read Hebrews 11:6.
- Definition of centurion. (An officer in the Roman army who had authority over a hundred soldiers.)
Materials needed: 6" x 18" light brown construction paper, 3" x 4" tan construction paper, 3" x 3" light brown construction paper, two 1/2" x 12" strips of any color construction paper, tape, crayons, marker, scissors.
- Hand out 6" x 18" light brown paper.
- Draw a door and windows on light brown paper.
- Cut two sides of door, so that the door opens.
- Fold door back to create "hinges."
- Cut windows out completely.
- On outside of paper, write "The Centurion's House" and "Luke 7:2-10".
- Turn light brown paper over and draw the inside of the house including the sick servant laying on a bed and the centurion close by the servant.
- Tape two edges of light brown paper to form a box. This is the Centurion's house. Note: When the student looks through the window, they should be able to see the sick servant laying on his bed.
- Hand out small light brown paper.
- Draw, color, and cut out two or three friends of the Centurion.
- Hand out tan paper.
- Draw, color, and cut out Jesus and a crowd of people.
- Write "Jesus" on the picture of Jesus.
- Hand out two long strips of paper.
- Fold each strip in half, then in half again.
- Tape, forming into two triangles.
- Tape the Centurion's friends and Jesus and the crowd on each of the long strips.
- Set up all three pieces to tell story.
