Parables

Overview

Jesus did a lot of teaching, but it wasn't with books or computers or tablets. You're probablt not surprised about that! Because he was Jewish, he had been taught stories from the paet of the bible we call the Old Testament, stories and words that had been passed down for many generations

*Taken from Growing in God's Love a Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell

Bible Passages

Jesus Commands an Unclean Spirit (Mark 1:21-28) Reading

It was worship day in Capernaum. Jesus entered the synagogue and began to teach. Everyone in the crowd listened.

"Jesus is not like any other teacher we know!"

A man who was filled with darkness and an unclean spirit began to yell at Jesus. "I know who you ARE, Jesus! What are you DOING here? Have you come to DESTROY us?"

The crowd GASPED. No one EVER yelled in the synagogue!

One by one, every head turned and looked at Jesus to see what he would do.

"BE SILENT!" Jesus ordered. He commanded the spirit to come out of the man.

One by one, every head turned at the man. Then, with a shake and a shout, the spirit came out! The man was set free.

The people were amazed. "HOORAY!" they shouted.

The couldn't stop talking about what Jesus had done.

"Did you see the man?"

"Did you hear Jesus?"

"Even unclean spirits obey Jesus!"

News of what happened in the synagogue spread all over town. Soon, everyone knew about Jesus!

*Taken from Whirl Story Bible: Lectionary Edition

Jesus Heals a Woman and a Girl (Luke 8:40-56) Reading

Do you know someone who has been sick for a long time? What can you do to help?

A crowd waited on the shore of Galilee for Jesus to et there. Some people were sick. Others were just curious. A religious leader, Jairus, was in the crowd. As soon as Jairus could get to Jesus, he fell at Jesus' feet. "Teacher," he asked, "will you come to my house? My twelve-year-old daughter is very sick."

In the same crowd, a woman who had been sick for twelve years tried to get close to Jesus. She had spent all her money on doctors. Nothing worked. Jesus was her last home.

If I can just touch Jesus, I will be healed, she said to herself. But he is so far away. She pushed and gently shoved. When she was close enough, she touched Jesus' clothes. She knew she was better right away

Jesus turned and asked, "Who touched me?"

"Not I, not I," said the people close to hime.

"The crowd is so big," said Peter. "Everyone is pushing you."

But Jesus knew someone touched him.

The woman fell at Jesus' feet. "I touched you, and I was healed right away!" she said.

"You were healed because you believe," Jesus said. "Go and be happy!"

A man who worked at Jairus's house came to them. "Jairus," he said, "your daughter died. Don't bother Jesus anymore."

Jesus heard what the man said. He told Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Trust me, and she will live."

Everyone was crying at Jairus's house. Jesus said, "Don't cry. The girl is just asleep." People laughed at him. They knew the girl was not alive.

Jesus went to the girl and gently took her hand. He said, "Little girl, wake up."

The girl woke and stood up.

"Get her something to eat," Jesus said to the parents.

"Our daughter is alive. Alleluia," they shouted.

"Do not tell anyone that I healed your daughter," Jesus ordered the girl's parents.

*taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell

I Wonder....

how the girl felt when she woke up?
what illness the woman had?
why the sick woman was afraid to tell Jesus that she had touched him?

Questions

Why do you think she finally decided to tell Jesus that it was her?
Close your eyes and imagine what the big crowd around Jesus looked like. Who do you think was there besides the woman who had been sick for twelve years and Jairus? Why do you think they came to see Jesus?
You may not be able to heal people like Jesus did, but you can help them feel better. What might you do for someone in your family who doesn't feel well?
Who are teachers in your church?

Videos

Crossroads Kids' Club