Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

Download biblically sound, Christ-centered lesson plans built for immediate use.

Faithful Friends Bring a Man to Jesus
(Matthew 9:1-8)

Jesus had been traveling through the towns near the Sea of Galilee, doing amazing things. He healed sick people, made blind people see, and even told a storm to be quiet - and it obeyed Him! Word about Jesus spread everywhere. So when He got back into a boat and crossed over to His own town of Capernaum, a crowd was already waiting for Him.

Some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus on a mat. They carried their friend right to where Jesus was, and when Jesus saw their faith, He did something no one expected. He did not first say, "Get up and walk." Instead, He looked at the paralyzed man and said, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Some religious teachers sitting nearby thought to themselves, "This man is speaking against God. Only God can forgive sins."

But Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? Which is easier to say: 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Get up and walk'?" Then He showed them His authority. He told the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat, and go home." The man stood up immediately. He rolled up his mat and walked out in front of everyone. The crowd was filled with awe and praised God for giving such authority to a man.

A Curious Question

Why did Jesus choose to forgive the man's sins before healing his body? What did He want everyone to understand about who He really is?

Old Testament Connection

This story shows that Jesus is not just a prophet or a teacher - He is God in human flesh. In the Old Testament, only God could forgive sins. King David wrote in Psalm 103:3 that God "forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases." By forgiving the paralyzed man first, Jesus claimed to be doing something only God can do. He was showing that He is the promised Messiah from Isaiah 35, who would come to heal the blind, the deaf, and the lame. Jesus proved that God's rescue plan had arrived - not just to fix broken bodies, but to forgive broken hearts.

Discussion Questions

  • When Jesus saw the faith of the men who brought the paralyzed man, he forgave the man's sins before healing him. What does that tell you about what Jesus thinks is most important?
  • Why were the religious teachers upset when Jesus forgave the man's sins instead of healing him first?
  • How does knowing that Jesus can forgive sins change the way you talk to Him when you make a mistake?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • When a friend is sad or hurt, what is one brave thing you can do to bring them to Jesus in prayer?
  • Jesus cared about both the man's body and his heart. How can you show care for someone's feelings this week, not just their outside problems?
  • The men who brought their friend to Jesus did not give up. Who is one person you can bring to Jesus in prayer this week, and who can you team up with to do it?

Memorize God's Word

Matthew 9:6 - "Get up, take your mat, and go home."

• Get up crouch down like you are sitting on the ground, then jump up to your feet.

• take your mat pretend to roll up a sleeping mat or blanket with your hands.

• and go home point one finger forward, then make a roof shape with your hands over your head for "home".

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank You that Jesus has power to heal bodies and to forgive sins. Help us to have faith like the friends who brought the paralyzed man to You. Show us how to bring our friends to You in prayer and help us never give up. We love You, Jesus. Amen.

Craft or Activity

Forgiveness and Healing Scroll

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Forgiveness and Healing Scroll:

  1. Cut paper into a rectangle about 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
  2. On one side write "Your sins are forgiven" and on the other side write "Get up, take your mat, and go home."
  3. Decorate around the words with simple drawings of a mat, a crowd, and a person walking.
  4. Tape or glue the left edge of the paper to one dowel or pencil, and the right edge to the second dowel.
  5. Roll both ends toward the middle to make a scroll.
  6. Tie a piece of yarn around the scroll to keep it closed.
  7. Take the scroll home and unroll it to remember that Jesus has authority to forgive and to heal.

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • Before reading the story, ask children what they think is harder to fix: a broken leg or a broken relationship with God. Let them discuss. This sets up the moment when Jesus forgives before he heals.
  • When Jesus says "your sins are forgiven," pause and ask the class: "Did anyone ask Jesus to forgive the man's sins?" The answer is no, and that detail is powerful. Jesus saw the deeper need.
  • For younger children, focus on the two things Jesus did: forgave and healed. Let them hold up one finger for forgiveness and two fingers for healing as you tell each part of the story.
  • For older kids, point out that the teachers of the law were right that only God can forgive sins. Ask them: so what does that tell us about who Jesus is?