WELCOME TO WEEK 1

Have you ever been in pain? Perhaps your pain was from a cut or an injury. Perhaps your pain was from sadness or hurt. Jesus has a message for us that is powerful. His power is more than strength but His power can also change us, heal us, and defeat our sins. This week we will see how Jesus’ message is powerful.

Mark 1:21-28

BIBLE STORY

There are people who are in charge in everywhere we go. These are people we listen to and follow instructions from because they have the authority in that place. They are in charge and people follow their directions. Tell me who is in charge at these places.

-at school (the principal)

-in your classroom (the teacher)

-at home (your parents)

-in your community (police)

-over our nation (the president)

-at church (the pastor)

-Over your pet (you!)

-in a store (the manager)

-in a restaurant kitchen (The chef)

Jesus has authority from heaven as the creator of the world. When he was on earth he preached with authority and people listened to him. Even the people who did not want to follow him recognized that he is God and had authority over everything. This week we will see a story in which Jesus showed his authority not only with his words but through his actions as well. 

Read or listen to the scripture story in Mark 1:21-28

What was Jesus doing in the synagogue? (He was teaching)

What did the people think of his teachings? (They were amazed because he taught with authority)

What was the man in the synagogue possessed with? (An impure spirit) 

Who did the possessed man claim Jesus to be? (The Holy One of God)

What did the possess man ask if Jesus was going to do? (If he had come to destroy them)

When Jesus commanded the impure spirit to come out, what happened? (It shook the man violently and came out with a shriek)

What did the people think when they say this? (They were amazed that he taught with authority and could give orders to spirits who obeyed. 

What did the people do after they witnessed Jesus send out the impure spirit? (They spread the word through the whole region of Galilee)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Jesus has all authority on heaven and earth. His power is not just how strong his is but his ability to change hearts and attitudes. We can trust that Jesus has the power over our sins and mistakes. He can forgive us and He can help us change our actions.

Activity

Play this game of charades. Use the following cards to act out the source of power on each card. Each of these items are a source of power. We use power in all sorts of ways in our daily life such as the power for the sun which can be used for energy, to grow plants, and to warm the earth. God is the ultimate source of power. His power is not from anyone but of Himself. Jesus used his power to heal the man of the impure spirit. He has the power to change us as well.

Materials: printed game cards

Alternate

Jesus’ message is powerful and had the power to change the man’s life who was possessed with an impure spirit. Try this simple experiment to see the power of this dish soap. On a white paper plate pour some milk onto the plate to cover the bottom surface. Then add a few drops of food coloring, keeping the drops small and colors separate. Then dip a cotton swab into dish soap, then dip it in the center of one of the circle of colors. What happens? The colors start to move away from the cotton swab and they also begin to mix together creating a very colorful design. The soap is powerful to change move the colors all around the plate. God is powerful to change us even when we have done bad things. He is more powerful than any wrong thing we could ever do. His love is stronger and can win over our sins! Watch this video as an example if needed.

Materials: white paper plate, milk, food coloring, cotton swab, liquid dish soap

independent activity:

Complete the following activity sheet to decide which animal is more powerful. When we know the power of God we do not need to fear anything. We can know that the power of God is stronger than anything else. The mistakes we make are sins but just like the impure spirit in the man, Jesus is more powerful than it.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil or crayon

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create a “Jesus Wins” trophy cup. Take 2 Styrofoam cups and wrap in gold foil or paint with gold paint. Place the bottoms of each cup together and glue them together. Use gold pipe cleaners to attach to each side as the handles. You can attach the handles by inserting them through a small puncture in the side of the trophy and then taping it from the inside. Using a small label or white piece of paper, write on the bottom, “Jesus Wins” and attach it using glue or tape.

Materials: 2 styrofoam cups, gold aluminum foil, gold pipe cleaners, tape, glue, small label or small white paper

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

What was Jesus doing in the synagogue?

What are some ways Jesus showed his power to the people who were there?

If you witnessed Jesus healing a possessed person, would you keep it a secret?

What has Jesus done for you to show you his power?

Have you ever prayed for something you though was small but received an answer from God?

How can we share those stories with other people?

Practical Application at Home

God’s powerful message is meant to be shared with everyone. God wants to use each one of us to spread the news that His message is powerful and can save. We are never too young or too old to share our own stories with others. Take time today to think of a time you have seen God’s power in your life. Even in times when we think we have prayed for something small and insignificant, God hears and answers those prayers as well. There is no story too small that isn’t worth sharing so others can know how good God is to you.

Take a moment as a family or group to share a story, big or small, of when you have seen God’s power in your life. Whether it was an answered prayer or a miracle, share your good news with each other. Then think of one other person you could share that story with sometime this week, being sure to give God the credit for the outcome. Ask God to give you wisdom to know who you should share your story with, and then trust Him when it is time to share. If desired, as a family or group, you can meet again to share with each other the outcome of your witness.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.