Locations & Times

Preschoolers help Howie with his everyday troubles in a fun, video gameshow. Then they hear four stories about Jesus helping people by healing them. Through video teaching, kids learn that God always helps us.

WORSHIP

BIBLE VERSE

“... God always helps us in times of trouble,” Psalm 46:1.

GROUP Q&A

What was wrong with the man in our story today? (He was blind.)
What did Jesus do when he saw him? (He helped him see by spitting in the dirt, making mud, and putting it on the man’s eyes.)
Who always helps in times of trouble? (God)

PARENT BIBLE STUDY

Read: John 9:1-7

“The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world,” John 1:9. 

 Jesus came to bring light to everyone—even a man born blind. It’s fitting that before Jesus healed this man, he reminded his disciples that he is the light of the world. He said “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world,” John 9:5. It’s a clear reminder that even if we’re not physically blind, we are all spiritually blind without Jesus–the light of life.

 The spiritual blindness of the disciples made them judge the blind man as a sinner. They saw his blindness as a result of either his mistakes or his parents’ mistakes. But Jesus lifted their blinders too, gently reminding them that suffering is not always a direct result of specific sin. Even if it is, it’s not our call to judge. The disciples wanted to debate whose fault it was and have a theological discussion about sin, but Jesus saw it differently. Where the disciples saw a problem and a chance to condemn and blame, Jesus saw a human with a deep and tangible need. Pastor Warren Wiersbe says it this way, “It is much easier to discuss an abstract subject like sin than it is to minister to a concrete need in the life of a person.”

 Jesus is always so much more interested in the hearts and needs of people than in debating theology or discussing who’s at fault. That requires a level of selflessness that is so uncomfortable. It would have been easier for Jesus and the disciples just to avoid the “sinful” blind man, or to cover up the problem with discussion and debate. 

 Just like Jesus healed this man of physical blindness, he can heal us of our blindness towards the needs and suffering of others. And the best thing is, when Jesus takes away our blindness, he gives us something in return: compassion and mercy. With a heart like his we can see the deep needs of the people around us. We can be moved to do something. And that is something the world around us desperately needs—people like Jesus.

Think about your life and the things you do every day; your drive to work, your grocery shopping, etc. Where can you ask Jesus to heal your blindness and see people authentically and selflessly?