Then Jesus left the region of Tyre, went through Sidon back to Galilee Lake and over to the district of the Ten Towns. Some people brought a man who could neither hear nor speak and asked Jesus to lay a healing hand on him. He took the man off by himself, put his fingers in the man's ears and some spit on the man's tongue. Then Jesus looked up in prayer, groaned mightily, and commanded, "Ephphatha!—Open up!" And it happened. The man's hearing was clear and his speech plain—just like that. Jesus urged them to keep it quiet, but they talked it up all the more, beside themselves with excitement. "He's done it all and done it well. He gives hearing to the deaf, speech to the speechless."

Ease 86.7%, Level 4.7

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace be with you Christ's Soldier!

Today we see another miracle of Jesus. A miracle is something wonderful. It is something we cannot explain. We see it, but it does not make sense sometimes. How could Jesus heal by putting his fingers on a person. How could he say, "be opened" on the man start to speak?

These are great mysteries. Jesus told lots of people it was their own faith that healed them. Where the people had no faith, Jesus would not stay - like his home town of Nazareth.

When God sent Jesus into the world, he gave him special powers. Jesus made the lame walk. He made the man who could not speak to talk. He made the ears of the deaf man to hear. He even raised up dead people to live again. This made the people to understand who Jesus was. He is the son of God.

When John the Baptist was in jail, he sent his disciples. They said to Jesus, are you the one? Jesus told them, tell John, I heal the sick, I make the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Jesus is healing people today. Many people come to Jesus who are ill. Some are sad. Some are alone. Some are broken hearted. Some are healed and praise God. But some must remain the way they are. I do not always understand how God works, but I trust that he does all things well for those who are in Christ.

Farewell son. Be good and keep the faith!

Granddaddy

Ease 92.5%, Level 2.5

LESSON EXERCISES

* Can you name the people in this story, and tell about them?

* In you own words, what do you think this story is about?

* Draw a picture that tells the Gospel story. (You may copy or trace the one on the lesson if you wish.)

* Make up a story (parable) or share a true story that is like our lesson today.

* Sing a song about today's story God is So Good

Songs for Children

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Notice: This is an open letter to my Grandson Nathan. It is under copyright protection: The Rev. Mark Carroll, MMVI

Tidy