When people are healed by Jesus in the Gospels, they are often brought to Jesus by their friends and families. With your students, explore the ways our friends can lead us to Jesus. Read and reflect on the story of the healing of the man who was paralyzed, in Luke 5: 17-26. Here are the key verses to focus on:
“And some men brought on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they were trying to bring him in and set [him] in his presence. But not finding a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the stretcher through the tiles into the middle in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, he said, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” …(Then) he said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.” He stood up immediately before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God.”
Scripture Video: See the Flourish resources for Blest Are We Faith in Action, “Jesus Heals a Sick Man,” Grade 3, Unit 2.
- Why were the people taking the sick man to Jesus?
- What do you think the man’s friends felt when the doorway was blocked?
- Do you think they were embarrassed to climb up on the roof and rip open a hole in it?
- How do you think the man on the stretcher felt after he was healed?
Explain: The friends of the paralyzed man had faith that Jesus could heal him. Without their determination and perseverance, there was no way the man on the stretcher could have ever made his way to meet Jesus. By surrounding ourselves with friends who are strong in their faith, we can rely upon them to help guide us back to God when we lose our sense of direction. They can carry us when we need to be carried.
Discuss:
What traits or qualities do you look for in a friend?
What do you need your friends to do for you?
How can one equip oneself to be a good friend to others?
Classroom Play. Dramatize the scene of the friends and the healing of the man who was paralyzed. Appoint a “reporter on the scene” to interview friends, the crowd, the man who was healed (before and after), and Jesus.
Go Behind the Scenes of the Story. All ages could enjoy doing the activity, “Bible-Times Houses” (Activities, Grade 3, Unit 2-Chapter 5)
The Family Life series explores the qualities of friendship at all grade levels, especially in “God’s Gift of Love.” For example, in grade 5, lesson 7, page 47, discusses how we mature in love through friendships. A new Second Edition of Family Life is now available, with diverse life stories focusing on moral virtues for everyday living.
About the Author
Dr. Lauri Przybysz specializes in equipping families to live their vocation, to be domestic churches, and signs of God’s love. Lauri received the Doctor of Ministry from the Catholic University of America, and she has been both a Catholic middle school religion teacher and a faith formation coordinator at the archdiocesan and parish levels. She is the mother of 6 children and grandmother of 21.
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