Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have family members take turns completing this sentence in prayer: "Dear Jesus, like Bartimaeus, I need your help with..." This helps children recognize their dependence on Jesus and practice expressing their needs to Him.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q5: What else did God create?
A: God created all things and all his creation was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
A: God created all things and all his creation was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Mark 10:46–52 (NLT)
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- How did the crowd treat Bartimaeus? Why do you think they acted this way?
- What does it tell us about Bartimaeus's faith that he kept calling out even when people told him to be quiet?
- When have you needed to be persistent in prayer like Bartimaeus?
- How did Bartimaeus respond after Jesus healed him? What does this teach us about gratitude?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing us when we call out to you, just like you heard Bartimaeus. Help us to have bold faith that isn't discouraged by others, and give us spiritual sight to see you more clearly. Thank you that you still heal and help people today who trust in you. In Jesus's name, Amen."