The story of Jesus healing a man with leprosy teaches kids about compassion, mercy, and the power of faith. It highlights the importance of kindness and belief in Jesus. To make this story even more meaningful for children, we can create a fun and educational craft activity that reflects His healing power.
At The Kids Point, we believe crafting is a wonderful way for kids to engage with Bible stories. It helps them connect to biblical events while allowing them to express their feelings and faith. In this guide, we’ll provide a craft idea that reinforces the story of Jesus healing the leper and inspires kids to reflect on faith, compassion, and healing.
The Story of Jesus Healing a Man Affected by Leprosy
Before we dive into the craft idea, let’s briefly look at the Bible story that inspired it.
In the Gospel of Matthew (8:1-4), we read about a man with leprosy who approaches Jesus, believing that He has the power to heal him. Leprosy, a disease that causes severe skin sores and nerve damage, made the man an outcast in society. In biblical times, people with leprosy were isolated, living away from others due to the fear of spreading the disease. This made the healing that Jesus performed not only a miracle of physical restoration but also an act of kindness that broke down social barriers.
The man, desperate for healing, knelt before Jesus and asked, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out His hand, touched the man, and said, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately, the man was healed, his leprosy was gone, and he was restored to his community. Jesus then instructed him to go to the priest, as was the custom for those healed from leprosy, and not to tell anyone about the healing.
This act of mercy and compassion teaches children about the importance of believing in Jesus’ healing power and the importance of showing love to those in need, regardless of their condition.
Crafting the Story of Healing: A Simple and Meaningful Activity
Now that we have a bit of background on the story, it’s time to turn it into a creative activity for children. Our craft idea is centered around the theme of healing and transformation, reflecting the way Jesus healed the man with leprosy.
Materials Needed:
- Construction paper in various colors (skin tone shades, brown, white, and blue)
- Markers or crayons
- Scissors
- Glue
- Cotton balls (to create the appearance of the man’s leprosy before healing)
- Glitter (optional, to symbolize the cleansing and miraculous healing)
- Ribbon or string (optional, to create a hanging ornament)
- A printout of the Bible verse: Matthew 8:3 – “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Background
Start by creating the base of the craft, which will represent the body of the man healed by Jesus. You can use a sheet of light brown construction paper for the skin. If you prefer to make it more personal, ask the children to choose the skin tone they identify with from various shades of brown construction paper.
Step 2: Draw the Face
Using a marker or crayon, have the kids draw a simple face on the paper. You can keep it simple with just eyes, a nose, and a smile. This represents the healed man, showing the joy and peace he felt after being touched by Jesus.
Step 3: Leprosy “Before” the Healing
Before Jesus healed the man, he suffered from leprosy, which made his skin look different. To represent this, children can glue cotton balls onto the skin. You can encourage them to create patches of cotton all over the figure’s body, representing the sores and scabs that were common in leprosy. This step allows kids to think about the suffering the man endured before meeting Jesus, while also engaging in a hands-on way.
Step 4: The Healing Power of Jesus
Once the cotton balls are attached to the paper, children can use glitter or white paper cutouts to symbolize the healing power of Jesus. These can be glued over the cotton areas, showing the man’s skin being cleansed and restored to health. As they add the glitter or white paper, talk to the children about the transformation that occurred when Jesus touched the man. The glitter represents the miraculous healing and renewal that comes from Jesus.
Step 5: Jesus’ Hand of Compassion
To emphasize the moment when Jesus reached out to the man, children can cut out a hand from white or light-colored construction paper and glue it next to the man’s shoulder or face. This will serve as a visual reminder that Jesus was close to the man, showing compassion and love. You can even write the verse “I am willing. Be clean!” from Matthew 8:3 on the hand or in a speech bubble next to it, further emphasizing the importance of Jesus’ words.
Step 6: Final Touches and Reflection
Once the healing scene is complete, ask the children to reflect on the story. Why do you think Jesus healed the man? How do you think the man felt after being healed? Encourage them to share their thoughts, and offer some time for prayer or personal reflection.
For an additional step, children can make this craft into a hanging ornament. Attach a piece of ribbon or string at the top of the figure, allowing them to hang their creation in their room as a constant reminder of the healing power of Jesus.
A Teaching Opportunity
While kids work on their crafts, it’s a great opportunity to talk about the deeper meanings behind the story. Here are a few questions and discussion points to consider:
- The Importance of Compassion: How did Jesus show compassion to the man? How can we show compassion to others, even when they might look or act differently?
- Faith and Belief: Why did the man approach Jesus in faith? What does it mean to believe that Jesus has the power to heal us, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
- Healing and Restoration: The man was healed not only physically but also socially and emotionally. What does it mean to be healed in these different ways?
- Jesus’ Role as a Healer: What does this story teach us about Jesus as a healer? How does this shape our understanding of Him as a compassionate Savior who cares about our well-being?
- Miracles in Our Lives: While not all miracles are as dramatic as the one in this story, do you think God still works in our lives today? How can we experience God’s healing power in our daily lives?
These discussion points will help children connect the craft to the deeper lessons in the story, creating a meaningful experience beyond the craft itself.
Why This Craft is Special
This craft idea not only teaches children about a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, but it also encourages creativity, emotional reflection, and personal connection. By physically engaging with the story, children can better internalize the lessons of healing, compassion, and faith that Jesus exemplified.
At The Kids Point, we believe that activities like these can serve as wonderful tools for teaching kids about their faith in a way that’s fun, engaging, and spiritually enriching. Whether it’s in a Sunday school setting, a family devotional, or just a quiet afternoon at home, this craft will help kids remember that Jesus is always willing to heal and restore.
The story of Jesus healing a man affected by leprosy is not just a historical event—it’s a powerful lesson about faith, compassion, and the transformative power of Jesus. By crafting a tangible representation of this miracle, kids not only gain a deeper understanding of the story but also experience the joy of creation and reflection. At The Kids Point, we hope that this craft activity helps children connect with the Bible in a hands-on way, deepening their faith and understanding while providing a meaningful, memorable experience.