Growing in the Word

Jesus Heals with Mud

Law
All sickness is a result of sin in the world.

Gospel
Jesus has power to heal all sickness. He
opens my eyes to see who He really is and heals
me of my sin with water and His Word.

Context

John 9:17
during pregnancy, for example, or some sin by
the person himself while still in the womb.
Jesus debunks that theory altogether (John
9:35). This mans blindness was no punishment
but rather an opportunity to show Gods saving
work. Again, Jesus declares that He is the light of
the world, and this time He demonstrates it in a
most tangible way (John 9:67).

Jesus chooses not to heal the man simply

Jesus and His disciples are in Jerusalem
with His spoken word as we see in so many of
for one of three annual festivalsthe Feast of
His miracles. Rather, this time Jesus forms a sort
Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles
of mud poultice from His own saliva. Jesus wants
(John 7:2, 37; Leviticus 23:3443). Jesus
no confusion as to who healed the
preaching at the feast had nearly
man; it is solely His work.
caused some people to stone Him,
Still, Jesus intends more than
for He had made some astoundjust
a physical healing. The pool
Podcast
ing claims: He said that all who
of Siloam (John 9:11) to which
Visit
believed in Him would receive
Jesus sent the blind man was a
cph.org/teacherspot
the Holy Spirit (John 7:3739),
and listen to the
source from which water was
Seeds of Faith podcast
that He was the light of the
ceremonially drawn on the last
each week!
world (John 8:12), even that He
day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
was the eternal I am, existing
Jesus had used this water in His
long before Abraham (John 8:5859;
illustration of the Holy Spirit (John
Exodus 3:1314).
7:3739). Jesus is, therefore, suggesting that

Commentary
On this occasion, Jesus has opportunity to
apply what all of His claims mean. Seeing a man
who was born blind, the disciples ask Jesus
whose sin caused the man to suffer so (John
9:12). Rabbis of the day taught that afflictions
were Gods direct judgment upon particular sins.
When a person was born with a handicap, it was
assumed to be a punishment either on him or
on his parentsa wicked thought by the mother

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very shortly the man would receive much more

that just his sight; he would receive the gift of
faith that only the Spirit can give.
Jesus healed our sin-sickness on the cross at
Calvary. He reassures us of that forgiveness each
week as we hear the words of Absolution spoken
by our pastor. In the Sacrament of the Altar, we
are again forgiven and renewed in our faith by
the power of the Spirit.

Seedlings Devotional Talks

Jesus Heals with Mud

Lesson 10

Text: 1 John 4:711

Hymn of the Day: God Loves Me Dearly (LSB 392; AGPS 109)
Visual Helps: An assortment of heart-shaped items (red construction-paper hearts, jewelry, knickknacks, etc.)

Good morning! How are you today? This is a great day, isnt it? We are glad that
Jesus is alive and rose from the dead. He lives in us. He lives for us!
Who knows what these things are? Let students identify each item separately. What is
something they have in common? They are all heart-shaped. Who can tell me what this
shape stands for?
Who can tell me what love means? Allow students to give their definitions. Ask questions for deeper reflection.
Listen to what God says about love. First He tells us that He is love. If we want
to know what love is, we learn more about God. Listen to these verses. Read 1 John
4:711. Who can tell me what these verses mean?
First, God wants us to love one another. Why is that hard?
Then the verse says, Love is from God. If it comes from Him, how do we get
better at loving? (By His presence in our lives)
How does it say that God shows His love for us? Pause. Yes, by giving us things.
Does it say He gave a great big birthday present? a nice allowance? good health?
No! God gives us one thing that no one else could give. God gave the world His only
Son, Jesus. Jesus came to suffer and die for our sins, and He gives us forgiveness
and eternal life.
The verse tells us what love is. Love is not about how we love God. Love is
about how God loved us first. He loved us with the gift of Jesus, our Savior.
The love of Jesus is something that we share. We can love others in Jesus place.
We show them the very best kind of love when we tell them about Jesus and His
love. His love is the best thing we can share.
Prayer: Dear God, You are love. Help us to rejoice in your gift and share it with
others. In Jesus name. Amen.

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Jesus Heals with Mud

John 9:17

[God] cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

color
Story Page 10 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

103

Jesus Heals with Mud

John 9:17

[God] cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

color
Story Page 10 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

103

Jesus Heals with Mud

John 9:17

[God] cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

color
Story Page 10 Growing in Christ Early Childhood 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

103

Braille Bible Words

People who are blind cannot read Gods Word with their eyes. They read by
using the braille alphabet. The letters in this alphabet are made of raised dots that
can be felt with ones fingertips. Where have you seen braille used?
Using the braille alphabet, figure out the following message from Gods Word.

Braille Alphabet
A
l

B
l
l

C
ll

O
l
l
l

P
ll
l
l

D
ll
l

E
l
l

F
ll
l

G
ll
ll

H
l
ll

Q
ll
ll
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R
l
ll
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S
l
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T
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ll
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U
l

I
l
l

J
l
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V
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W
l
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K
l
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N
ll
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____
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____ ____ ____ ____ ____.

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John 8:12
For use with Lesson 10

Reproducible Page 9

Growing in Christ Middle and Upper Grades 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

117

Braille Bible Words

People who are blind cannot read Gods Word with their eyes. They read by
using the braille alphabet. The letters in this alphabet are made of raised dots that
can be felt with ones fingertips. Where have you seen braille used?
Using the braille alphabet, figure out the following message from Gods Word.

Braille Alphabet
A
l

B
l
l

C
ll

O
l
l
l

P
ll
l
l

D
ll
l

E
l
l

F
ll
l

G
ll
ll

H
l
ll

Q
ll
ll
l

R
l
ll
l

S
l
l
l

T
l
ll
l

U
l

I
l
l

J
l
ll

V
l
l
ll

W
l
ll
l

K
l
l

N
ll
l
l

____
l
l

____ ____
l
ll
l

____ ____ ____

l l
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ll ll l
l

____ ____ ____ ____ ____.

l
ll
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____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ,

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____ ____ ____ ____

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____ ____ ____ ____ ____

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ll

M
ll

Y
ll
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____ ____ ____

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X
ll

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____ ____ ____ ____

l
l
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____ ____
l ll
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l
l ll l
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John 8:12
For use with Lesson 10

Reproducible Page 9

Growing in Christ Middle and Upper Grades 2007 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV. Reproduced by permission.

117

Craft Guide
Lesson 10: Jesus Heals with Mud
Picture Telescope
Materials: For each project, you will need a cardboard tube (from a roll of paper towels or
from a roll of gift-wrapping paper cut into sections), construction paper, markers or crayons,
scissors, and glue.
Instructions: Cut out a piece of construction paper to fit around a cardboard tube. Look
through the tube. Draw pictures of things you see on the paper. Glue the paper around the tube.
Sing Two Little Eyes as you work; thank God for His gift of sight. When they have finished
making the craft, have the children look through the tubes and describe what they see. Make up
additional stanzas about what they see to sing to the tune of God Gave Me Eyes.

Say Lets look through the telescopes we made. What do you see? God has made

many wonderful things, hasnt He? Encourage them to look at things close up. Let
them walk around the room and look at Gods beautiful world.

Options: Omit cardboard tube, and roll pieces of construction paper into tubes. The opening
on each tube should be slightly larger than an eye so that children dont poke their eye with the
tube. Glue two tubes together to make binoculars. Add a yarn strap.

Bible Binoculars
To Prepare: To make todays craft, you will need cardboard tubes for each student, white
craft paper, tape, yarn or string, scissors, markers, and glue or a glue stick.
If you do not have cardboard tubes, cut and roll sections from an old file folder. Staple the
edges so that they overlap. Tape the two tubes together to form a kind of binoculars. Cut a
piece of craft paper to fit around one or two cardboard tubes. Write Jesus Opens My Eyes on
the paper, and then glue that paper around the tube. Tape string or yarn where appropriate so
that the children can carry the binoculars. Then invite the children to take their binoculars to the
church sanctuary and look for things that tell them about Jesus.

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