Miracles and Healings

MIRACLES AND HEALINGS

Objectives:

Students should be able to tell the story of at least one healing of Jesus.
Students should know the word “miracle” and what it means.
Students should know that we access the healing power of Jesus through the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

Possible Lesson Plan:

Scripture References: Assign a Scripture or two to each student, to read and report to the class:

Mark 5:22-24, 35-43 Mark 3:1-5

Luke 7:2-10 John 9:6-9, 24-25

Mark 7:32-37 Luke 13:11-13

Mark 1:30-31 John 4:46-53

Luke 17:12-19 Luke 22:50-51

Mark 9:17-29 Mark 10:46-52

Mark 8:22-26 John 5:5-15

What kinds of problems did Jesus heal? What kinds of people did Jesus heal? Did He heal the same way each time?

Discussion: The Church has a special sacrament where we pray for healing. It is called “Holy Unction.” Can Jesus really heal the sick? Are there miracles today? Didn’t Jesus have to touch the person to heal him? (No, remember the Roman centurion’s servant) Aren’t miracles really superstition? How does the sacrament of Holy Unction differ from say a rain dance by the pagans? Don’t we have doctors now we can go to if we are sick? Why doesn’t Jesus heal everyone? Why do we get sick at all? Aren’t we all going to die anyway? Should we only call for Holy Unction when we are dying? (no) In what other ways can we as Christians serve those who are ill, especially those who are chronically ill?

Play a learning game: Bible Headlines. Assign a miracle to each student. Have the students come up with a catchy headline for their miracle. After a few minutes, have the students one by one present their headline. Can the others guess the miracle?

Make a Story Spinner: Take a paper plate. Divide it into a section for each miracle discussed today, at least 4 and no more than 6. Have students draw a picture of the miracle in the wedge-shaped section of the plate. Use an arrow cut from poster board (or another plate) and a brad to make a spinner. Can the student spin the spinner and tell whichever story it lands on?