Jesus heals the bent-over woman

Lesson: We are more important to God than ox and goats

1. Intro: OUT OF SHAPE WALK AROUND: Tell children to walk slowly and quietly (NO running or shouting) as if they are bent out of shape. And when the teacher calls out “FREEZE”, they have to freeze in their best “bent” pose.

Do it 2-3 times, depending on class response and control. 

2. Story: “Let me tell you about a woman who was bent like this for a very, very long time.”
(based on Luke 13:10-17)

• Imagine: for 18 years, this woman had an evil spirit and was bent up. 18 years is a long time — how many of you have 18-year-old brothers or sisters? Imagine being bent up for so long.
• Jesus did a wonderful thing — He delivered the evil spirit from a woman and healed her so that she could finally stand up straight.
• She was so happy — she stood tall and praised God! Wouldn’t you be happy if Jesus healed you?
• But some people weren’t happy. The religious officials were unhappy. They were unhappy because Jesus broke the Sabbath laws by healing the woman. You were not supposed to work on the Sabbath. And healing was considered work, so it was illegal. Jesus should have healed her on a Sunday, a Monday, a Tuesday, a Wednesday … any day except Saturday, the Sabbath day.
• Jesus asked them a question: If you have an ox or a donkey that’s kept in the stall, wouldn’t you let them out to drink some water on the Sabbath? Of course you would.
• Now here was a woman that has been kept captive by Satan for 18 years. Surely she is more important that the ox and donkey? Surely she can be set free even on a Sabbath.
• To the Israelites in that time, their livestock (ox, donkey, sheep, cattle) were important to them because that’s their livelihood, their income. So they will take care of them even on the Sabbath day.
• But Jesus is greater than all the rules. And to God, we are so much more important to Him than all these animals. So God wants to show His love and goodness to us, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Isn't God so good? That's why we praise Him!

3. Activity Ideas

• Worksheet: Wordsearch, Crossword
• Craft: Use a picture of donkey and ox with the words “I am more important to God than the donkey and ox” or “God loves me ALL the time”. Kids can colour or stick pix onto a card.