Jesus heals the centurion's servant
Lesson: Jesus has authority over sicknesses
1. Game: Simon Says
2. Story:
- Tell the story of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant from Luke 7:1-10.
- Last week we learned about Jesus teaching on the mountain. After Jesus finished teaching, he went to Capernaum.
- A centurion heard that Jesus was in town. A centurion is a very important man. He had about 100 soldiers or more under his command.
- One of the centurion’s favourite servants was sick and about to die. The centurion had heard about Jesus and knew Jesus could heal. He sent some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to come and heal the servant.
- The Jewish elders pleaded with Jesus, telling them that the centurion was a good man who loves the Jewish nation and built their synagogue. So Jesus went with them.
- When he was near the house, the centurion sent some friends to Jesus to say: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
- The centurion understood what it meant to have authority because he had soldiers under him. He knew if he tells his soldiers to go, they will go; if he tells them to come, they will come; if he tells them to do this, they will do it.
- Just like the “Simon Says” game. When “Simon” gives an order, everybody follows and obeys.
- The centurion recognised Jesus’ authority over sicknesses and diseases. He trusted that if Jesus says the servant will be healed, he’ll be healed. He didn’t even need to step into the house.
- Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith. He told the crowd following him that “I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.”
- And when the centurion’s friends returned to the house, they found the servant completely well!
3. Lesson: Good News for today!
- Indeed, Jesus is a man of authority. At one word, at His name, sicknesses and demons flee.
- And when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He demonstrated His power and authority over sin and death. Jesus himself declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matt 28:18) — Memory Verse
- The best part is that He has given us the same authority and power through His Holy Spirit — “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8).
- So as children of the living God, you and I have the authority to speak Jesus’ healing to those who are sick. We can tell the sicknesses and diseases to be gone in Jesus’ name, because Jesus took those sicknesses on the cross 2000 years ago. And when we tell them to be gone, they will be gone!
- Is any of you sick today? Put your hand on the part of your body that’s not feeling well.
- Or do you know anyone sick today? Think of that person.
- Let’s speak with Jesus’ authority to the sickness: Sickness (pain, runny nose, cough, headache etc) — you don’t belong in this body! You’ve been nailed to the cross 2000 years ago. So be gone in Jesus’ name. By Jesus’ stripes, I’ve been healed. Amen!
4. Activity Ideas:
- Quiz: Divide kids into 2 teams and get them to answer some questions on the story today.
E.g. Where was Jesus? Who was sick? Who was sent first to Jesus? What did the Centurion do for the Jewish people? etc- To answer, the kid has to put up his/her hand and say “Yes Sir”. Those who don’t say “Yes Sir” or who shout out the answer will be disqualified.
- Craft: Roman Centurion Paper Doll
- Crossword Puzzle:
