Lesson 5: The Centurion’s faith.

Written By Jeremy Duncan

Passage: Matthew 8:5-13 - In this story, a Roman Commander came to Jesus, asking him to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus offered to go to the commander’s home, but the man explained that he trusted Jesus’ word alone would heal his servant. Jesus was amazed by his faith, saying he hadn’t seen such faith in all Israel. He then told the commander to go home, and his servant was healed immediately.

Big Idea: We can have faith in Jesus.

For Teachers:

Lesson plan.

  • Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader

    Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class introduce yourself and the other leaders.

    Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader and Bible Lesson Leader

    • Practice Advent Song - video and actions

    • Read Story book provided in the classroom

    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles. In today’s story, an army commander went to Jesus for help because his servant was sick.

    Let’s watch our video to find out more…

    Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Play video: Wonderful Lesson 5

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • Who was the man in the story who needed Jesus’ help?

    • How did the man show he trusted Jesus?

    • What did Jesus do for the man’s servant?

    • Can you think of a time you trusted Jesus to help you?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you for this story of the commander who trusted in Jesus to heal his servant. Please help us to also trust in your power to answer our prayers no matter how big or small. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Activity: — Activity Leader

    • Roman Commander helmet craft. Using the supplies provided create a helmet like what the commander in the story had.

    • If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.

    Dismissal: Manually check out each child using the classroom iPad and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.

  • Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader

    Welcome children them to class and introduce yourself and the other leaders.

    Warm Up Activity:
    Advent Song practice.

    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles! Can you remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far? Which one did you like best, and why?

    Today’s miracle is about an army commander who went to Jesus for help because his servant was sick.

    Let’s watch our video to find out more…

    Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • What did the Roman officer ask Jesus to do?

    • How did the officer show he believed Jesus could help without being there in person?

    • Why do you think Jesus was impressed with his faith?

    • How can we show faith in Jesus in our own lives?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you for this story of the commander who trusted in Jesus to heal his servant just by the power of his words. Help us to also have faith like the commander, and trust in your power to answer our prayers, no matter how big or small they are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    Activity: — Activity Leader

    • Centurion Helmet craft
      Using the supplies provided create a helmet like the Roman commander.

    Dismissal: Manually check out each child using the iPad checkout system.

  • Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Lesson Leader

    Introduce yourselves and welcome the kids to class.

    Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader

    Alibi Game: Kids sit in a circle. One child is chosen to be the detective, and leave the circle briefly. Another camper is chosen as the criminal, without the detective knowing who. The detective returns and stands in the center of the circle.The detective goes around the circle one at a time, asking each person, “Where were you last night?” Each person has to respond to the question with their alibi (ex. I was walking my dog, I was at the grocery store, I was watching a movie, etc.). After each person has given their alibi, the detective goes around the circle a second time asking the same question. Everyone but the person who was chosen as the criminal gives the same answer as the first time, but the criminal gives a different alibi. The detective has to remember everyone’s alibis from the first time around the circle in order to figure out who is the criminal. If they do not guess correctly, the criminal wins and becomes the next detective.

    Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    Today we’re going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ miracles. Can anyone remember any of the miracles we’ve learned about so far? What do they teach us about Jesus?

    Today’s story is about a Roman army commander who’s servant was paralyzed — meaning that he couldn’t move at all — and so he came to Jesus for help.

    Read: Matthew 8:5-13

    Let’s watch our video to find out more…

    Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader

    Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader

    • Why was it surprising that Jesus praised the Roman commander’s faith?

    • What does this story tell us about who can have faith?

    • How can trusting Jesus help us in situations where we feel worried or scared?

    Prayer — Bible Story Leader

    Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about the Roman commander’s great faith in Jesus. Thank you that anyone can have a strong faith no matter who they are. Please help us to trust in you in all situations, no matter how tough or impossible it may seem. In Jesus’ name, amen.

    Activity: — Bible Story Leader

    Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.

For Parents:

Follow-up questions.

    • What was the story you learned about in class today?

    • What do you think about Jesus being able to heal a person without even seeing them?

    • Do you think the soldier in the story had a strong faith in God? Why or why not?

    • Do you think that Jesus hears you when you pray?

    • What was the story you learned about in class today?

    • What did the Roman officer believe about Jesus’ power?

    • How did Jesus respond to the officer’s faith?

    • Can you share a time you trusted Jesus, even when it was hard?

    • What was the story you learned about in class today?

    • Why was the officer’s faith special, according to Jesus?

    • How can we practice trusting Jesus in our daily lives?

    • Can you think of a time when you had an answered prayer?

Jeremy Duncan
Next

Lesson 4: Jesus walks on water.