Children's Liturgy Guide

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year B · Ordinary Time

Jesus Forgives and Heals

Reading: Mark 2:1-12

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Some friends brought a man who could not walk to see Jesus. They lowered him through the roof because the house was so crowded. Jesus forgave the man's sins and healed him so he could walk again.

Key Points

  • The paralyzed man's friends showed great faith by finding a creative way to bring him to Jesus.
  • Jesus first forgave the man's sins, showing that forgiveness is even more important than physical healing.
  • Jesus has the power to forgive sins, which only God can do.
  • When we trust in Jesus, he can help us in ways we might not expect.

Background

This reading reveals Jesus' divine authority to forgive sins, a power that belonged to God alone in Jewish understanding. The scribes correctly recognize that only God can forgive sins, which is precisely why Jesus' claim is so significant. By healing the paralyzed man, Jesus provides visible proof of his invisible power to forgive. The Greek word for 'paralytic' indicates complete inability to move, making the healing unmistakably miraculous. For children, emphasize the friends' determination to help and Jesus' loving response, rather than the theological controversy with the scribes about blasphemy. Focus on how Jesus cares about our whole selves, both our hearts and our bodies.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us and for always being ready to help us. Please open our hearts today to hear your words and to trust in your love, just like the people in today's story. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever tried really hard to help a friend who needed you, maybe when they were hurt or sad or stuck?

Example: One time my friend fell down at recess and hurt her knee, and I helped her walk to the nurse and stayed with her until she felt better.

Bridge to the reading: Those friends in your stories worked so hard to help because they really cared. In today's reading, we will hear about some friends who did something amazing to help their friend get to Jesus, because they believed Jesus could help him.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. What was wrong with the man that his friends brought to Jesus?

    Example: The man could not walk at all. He had to lie on a mat because his legs did not work and he could not move by himself.

  2. Why did the friends have to make a hole in the roof to get their friend to Jesus?

    Example: There were so many people crowded around Jesus in the house that the friends could not get through the door with their friend on his mat.

  3. What did Jesus say to the man before he told him to get up and walk?

    Example: Jesus said that the man's sins were forgiven. He told him his sins were taken away before he healed his body.

  4. Why do you think Jesus forgave the man first, before healing his legs?

    Example: Maybe Jesus wanted to show that he cares about what is inside our hearts, not just our bodies. Forgiving sins is really important to Jesus.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think the man on the mat felt when his friends worked so hard to help him get to Jesus?

    Example: I think he felt really happy and loved because his friends did not give up on him. He probably felt like they really cared about him a lot.

  2. When you do something wrong and someone forgives you, how does that feel in your heart?

    Example: It feels like a big heavy thing goes away from my chest. I feel happy again and not so sad or worried anymore.

  3. This week, who is someone you could help, the way the friends helped the man get to Jesus?

    Example: I could help my little brother when he needs someone to play with him, or I could help a kid at school who looks lonely.

Recap

Today we heard how some good friends carried a man who could not walk all the way to Jesus. When they could not get through the crowd, they made a hole in the roof and lowered him down. Jesus saw how much they believed in him. First Jesus forgave the man's sins, and then he healed his legs so he could walk. Jesus wants to forgive us and help us too.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For children who are sick or hurting and need Jesus to bring them comfort and healing, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

Before we receive Holy Communion, we say words very similar to what the scribes wondered about: 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.' Just like Jesus healed the paralyzed man with his words, we ask Jesus to heal us with his words too.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Jesus, thank you for showing us that you can forgive us and heal us. Help us to be good friends who bring others to you. Help us to trust in your love every day. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Forgives and Heals

Mark 2:1-12

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

C V D T A M Z T A R F Q G X M
O P S M W B X Q N U R I E M J
D C S A W K C D V T I Y C V O
N F U T X E B O Q J E B W F L
B K Z I B Z U F F B N P K F J
K L A W W T M N O M D Q L N B
K F O Y U E A L R B S C D G O
A C G C N S T U G I T M H H J
L B N X M U E L I X J N V E E
N L O E K O V K V B K K O A S
F T F R P H O V E Y J C S L U
V H H O L B L Q K V E I Z Y S
F C R O W D J H X C N Q G H C
Q R F F Y T R Z R S W B K I Z
J N L V H T I A F L X V M I T

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • forgive
  • friends
  • roof
  • walk
  • faith
  • heal
  • mat
  • crowd
  • sins
  • house
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org