Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.

Ease 89%, Level 3.9

Greetings, the Lord be with you Christ's Soldier!

Today we hear the bible story of some men who helped their friend. In another place in the bible it gives all the details. They put their friend on a mat, and carried him to see Jesus. When they got to the house, they could not get in. You see, everyone wanted to see Jesus. They wanted to hear what he had to say. They wanted to look at him. Some wanted to be healed of sickness. Some wanted to touch him. There were even some that did not like him. They wanted to say bad things about him.

The friends did not give up. They looked at the roof and saw that it was made of straw. That is the way lots of roofs were made. They climbed up on the roof, and took away the straw. Then they took their friend lying on his mat up on the roof. They let the mat down to Jesus.

Jesus thought that was really a good thing. He thought the sick man's friends had a lot of faith. The man had palsy. It is a disease that will not let you walk. When he saw the man, he told him, "Be happy, I forgive your sins". Well now, that was something. The man came to be healed and Jesus forgave his sins. Everyone knew that only God could forgive sins. The bad men started to think bad things. Jesus could read their hearts and minds. He said, "you are thinking evil things in your heart." Did you ever think someone was thinking something bad about you? Well, Jesus did not think; he knew it!

Jesus decided to show the men, and all the people what he power he had. So he said do you think it is easier to forgive sins, or to heal this man. Then he said to the man with palsy, "Stand up! Get your mat and go to your house." That is just what the man did. He was healed. He got up. He picked up his mat. He went home cured of his disease.

Now all of the people were surprised. They had never seen such a thing. They talked with one another about Jesus. They believed God had given Jesus special power for good things. They were right too. God did give him special powers. God today gives all Christians a special gift too. They can use their gifts to help their friends and neighbors. That way, they can be like Jesus. When people see the good work of Christians for their neighbors, then they can give all the glory to God.

Why do you think God gave his son the power to forgive all sins? Do you have some things you can do? Can you be like Jesus and help your neighbor? Can you forgive someone who does something wrong to you that is sorry? I think one day you will. You will have a chance to do something special for a neighbor too, that is a good thing.

Farewell, Nathan, and may God bless you all.

Granddaddy

Ease 96.7%, Level 2.0

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 Glory to the Father Give

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

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