The Parent Weekly for April 30th, God is near
What we learned today
Big Idea: God is near
Walking on Water. Matthew 14v22–36; John 6v16–21. Jesus came to his disciples during the night and helped Peter when he was sinking in water.
Where we're headed next time
Big Idea: Jesus restores
Healing of the Blind Man. John 9. Jesus heals a blind man by placing mud on his eyes and telling him to wash in the Pool of Siloam.
Did you know?
Share these facts to get the conversation started:
God created man “from the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2v7). Some think that by using mud to heal the blind man, Jesus was demonstrating again that He is the Creator.
The divine source of this miracle must have been something grasped by the blind man, because he said in John 9v33, “If
this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”In John 9, we first saw the blind man as a beggar, condemned as a sinner by his community.
Jesus did not just heal the blind man physically; He also healed him socially.
Connect as a family
Take turns blindfolding yourself and your children while trying to do something you normally do in the rhythm of your everyday life (folding a shirt, sweeping the floors, making your bed, etc.). Discuss how hard it is to work when you can’t see. Then read John 9v1–12. Ask your children how they think the blind man might have felt after Jesus healed him. Pray and thank God for loving us and desiring to heal us. Also, take this time to lift up anyone in your family who needs healing.
After reading the Scripture passage, discuss these questions together:
How did Jesus heal the man?
What does the word restore mean?
Is there a place in your life where you need God to restore you?
These questions can easily extend into the rest of the week. Look for opportunities to bring conversations about how Jesus Restores into your everyday life as a family.
Blessing
Blessings are often used in the Bible. A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide.
A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may you know that Jesus loves you and wants to restore you.
