(copyright 2003, Cheryl Coffey)

Objectives:
know that Jesus healed blind men
know that this story is found in the New Testament book Luke, and that there are also accounts of Jesus healing the blind in Matthew, Mark and John
will hear that God can be glorified in any circumstances
be able to retell the story of the blind man in their own words

Materials: bibles, scripture signs, index cards, pencils, symbols, sticks, fabric strips, blind boxes with objects

Key Scripture: “Jesus said to him, Receive your sight, your faith has healed you.” Luke 18:42

Introduction: Open in prayer.
Ask the kids to open their bibles to the New Testament. Remind the kids that the Old Testament tells us what happened before Jesus was born. New Testament tells what happens after Jesus was born. It is toward the back of the bible. Have them find the book of Luke. Ask them to find chapter 18,verse 35. (This is sometimes time consuming. One of our long term goals is to help the children learn how to look things up in their bibles, so help them find what they are looking for rather than just doing it for them). Tell the kids you will be reading the story to them, but to keep their bibles open to the passage, because you will be going back to it. Read the story.
Say (in your own words): Our memory verse for this lesson is the something that Jesus said in this story. Week One: show the scripture sign, say the verse, then ask the kids to say it with you. Pass out the index cards, and ask them to write it down so they can practice it at home. Week Two and Three: Ask if anyone remembers the verse, giving them a chance to tell it to you. Show the scripture sign, say the verse, then ask the kids to say it with you.
Say (in your own words). Today’s art project will use symbols to tell the story we just heard. (Be sure the kids know what symbols are: things that represent other things, or remind us of things). Before we start, let’s look at some things and you can tell me what they mean to you. Show these objects, in any order: A Valentine, a US flag, an Easter egg, a cross, a shamrock, firecracker, wedding rings, lightning bolt, turkey, wise men, globe, Uncle Sam hat. Ask the kids what they represent.
Say (in your own words): Do they know that sometimes fabric can represent things too? Let’s feel the fabrics in these boxes and tell me what they remind you of. (The boxes will have a baby blanket, a teddy bear, a potato sack, denim). As they feel the fabric they might guess what it is. Also ask what does it make them think of? It’s ok if they don’t have an answer, it is more important that they begin to think about symbols).
Say (in your own words): I’m going to read you the story again, but this time I’ll show you some fabric and beads that will represent things in the story as I read it. (Note: this is NIV, your bible may be slightly different, and some of the kid’s bible’s will be different also. There are bibles in the rooms if you prefer to read from a children’s bible).

A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight

35As Jesus white silky cloth approached Jericho palm or fruit cloth, a blind man heavy black cloth was sitting by the roadside brown beads begging coin or fruit beads. 36When he heard the crowd very loud cloth going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth white silky cloth is passing by."
38He called out, "Jesus, Son of David white silky cloth, have mercy soft flannel on me!"
39Those who led the way rebuked rough fabric him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David white silky cloth, have mercy on me!"
40Jesus white silky cloth stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus white silky cloth asked him, 41"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord white silky cloth, I want to see," he replied.
42Jesus white silky cloth said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you lace." 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus white silky cloth, praising God shimmery gold fabric. When all the people saw it, they also praised God shimmery gold fabric.

Say (in your own words): Let’s talk for a minute about the things I showed you and see if you remember what the represent. (Show in whatever order you prefer, giving them the reasons behind each cloth or object as you talk about them).

Beggar represented by heavy black cloth (the beggars lived in darkness)

Large brown beads represent the dirt road.

Coin beads represent money Food beads represents the food begged for.

Jesus represented by white silky cloth (Jesus was not spotted by sin, he was pure)

Jericho represented by palm or fruits (Jericho is a tropical city, called the city of palms in the book of Deuteronomy. Citrus fruits grow abundantly there)

Noise of crowd represented by a very loud cloth (this cloth is very colorful and exciting. The crowd was probably very excited to be traveling with Jesus)

Beggars cry for mercy represented by soft flannel (the beggar was crying for compassion and kindness, represented by the softness of the flannel)

Rebuke represented by a rough fabric (it feels bad when someone rebukes you…you may need to explain rebuke, depending on the age group)

Jesus granting request represented by lace (The solid/sheer design of lace represents our faith…sometimes it is so strong and and sometime it is very weak and fragile)

Jewels represent the power of Christ

Praising God represented by a shimmery gold fabric (Gold is the color of kings).

Say (in your own words): I want you to make a banner to help you remember this story. Use a strip of each piece of fabric and tie it onto the stick. You can also tie the beads into the banner. Put the fabric in the order that will help you tell the story. (They can use as much fabric as they like, but encourage them to use at least one of each type of fabric. Some of them may want to use many strips of the Jesus fabric, for example, because Jesus is named several times). Assist them as needed. If you have an early finisher, ask them to retell the story using their banner.

I adapted your lovely banner project to the stories of the woman with internal bleeding and the healing of Jairus' daughter. I purchased several kinds and colors of fabric with certain people or experiences in mind for each to represent. When I began teaching, however, I thought the K-1s would understand the concept of symbolic representation better if they were the ones to choose which fabric should represent Jesus, which the bleeding woman, which the mourners, which the shame of being laughed at, which the joy of healing, and so on.

The banners turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing it!