Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Mark 10:46-52
An interactive 45-minute lesson on Mark 10:46-52. Elementary children act out how Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, play a true-or-false game, make an Open-Eyes Card and learn Mark 10:47 (KJV).
Memory verse
And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. (Mark 10:47, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell how blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus and was healed.
- Understand that Jesus stops, listens and cares when we call on Him.
- Respond by choosing to talk to Jesus and follow Him.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Loud Voice, Quiet Voice (5 min)
Setup: Children sit in a circle.
Say: Good morning! Let's try something. When I raise my hand, whisper "Hello." When I raise both hands, say it loudly!
Play it three times, switching quickly.
Say: Sometimes we need to speak up loudly. Has anyone ever needed help but felt nobody was listening? (Let two or three children answer.)
Say: Today we meet a man who needed help badly. He had to call out loudly to get it.
Say: Now let's listen to what happened in the Bible.
Transition: Sit up tall and listen for the name of the man.
Bible Story: Blind Bartimaeus (8 min)
Read or tell Mark 10:46-52 from the KJV in order. Do the actions below.
Say: Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a great crowd. (Walk fingers.)
Say: Blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. (Cover eyes.)
Say: He heard it was Jesus and cried out, "Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Cup hands at mouth.)
Say: Many told him to be quiet, but he cried out even more. (Shush, then cup hands again.)
Say: Jesus stood still and said, "Call him." (Stop and freeze.)
Say: The people said, "Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee." Bartimaeus threw off his garment and came to Jesus. (Toss the cloth.)
Say: Jesus asked, "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" Bartimaeus said, "Lord, that I might receive my sight."
Say: Jesus said, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." At once he could see, and he followed Jesus on the road. (Open eyes wide, then walk fingers.)
Transition: Now let's find out what this story shows us.
Teaching: Jesus Stops for You (8 min)
Say: Bartimaeus could not see Jesus, but he heard about Him and believed.
Ask: Who tried to stop him? (The crowd.) What did he do? (He shouted louder.)
Say: The crowd was busy. Jesus was never too busy. The Bible says He stood still. Jesus stops for people who call Him.
Say: Jesus did not guess. He asked, "What do you want me to do?" Jesus loves it when we tell Him what we need.
Say: Bartimaeus threw off his garment and came right away. Then he followed Jesus. His healing led him to walk with Jesus.
Background: Beggars often sat by roads, and a cloak could help them collect coins. Keep this short.
Say: He called Jesus "Son of David." That is a name for the promised King. Bartimaeus believed Jesus was that King.
Say: We cannot see Jesus with our eyes today, but He hears us. We can call to Him anytime.
Transition: Now let's play a game to remember the story.
Game: Stand Up, Sit Down (8 min)
Setup: Children sit on the floor or chairs. No running. Time: 8 minutes.
1. Say: I will read a sentence about the story. If it is TRUE, stand up and shout "Jesus hears!" If it is FALSE, stay seated and shake your head.
2. Read each statement: Bartimaeus could see well. (False.) He sat by the road. (True.) The crowd told him to be quiet. (True.) He gave up and went home. (False.) Jesus stood still and called him. (True.) Bartimaeus followed Jesus. (True.)
3. After each answer, give the correct fact in one sentence.
4. Round two: children make up a true statement for the others to answer.
5. Finish by saying the memory verse together twice. Say it once softly and once loudly.
Transition: Now let's make something to help us remember.
Craft: Open-Eyes Card (8 min)
Setup: Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons and glue. Keep scissors and glue where you can see them. Safety: use safety scissors only. Check for allergies or sensitivities to glue and markers. Time: 8 minutes.
1. Fold the paper in half like a card.
2. On the front, draw a closed eye (a curved line with lashes). Write "Jesus, have mercy!"
3. Cut a flap or fold the front back. On the inside, draw a wide-open eye. Add the words "Jesus hears me."
4. Write "Mark 10:47" on the back.
5. Decorate. Children can show the card and say the verse to a partner.
Say: Take this home and show someone how Jesus helped Bartimaeus.
Transition: Let's finish by talking about what we learned.
Talk It Over (5 min)
Ask the group:
1. Why do you think Bartimaeus kept calling when people said to be quiet? (He knew Jesus could help.)
2. What does it mean that Jesus stood still? (He stopped for Bartimaeus and listened.)
3. What would you say if Jesus asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Answers vary. Accept honest ones.)
4. How can we follow Jesus like Bartimaeus did? (Pray, obey, and tell others.)
Say: Jesus listens to every one of us.
Closing Prayer (3 min)
Say: Let's close our eyes, or look at the floor, and talk to Jesus.
Prayer points to lead, one line at a time:
- Thank You, Jesus, that You hear us when we call.
- Thank You that You are never too busy for us.
- Help us tell You what we need.
- Help us follow You every day. Amen.
Say: Remember to take your card home and say your verse. See you next week!
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Letter-size paper, one per child
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors
- Glue sticks
- Cloth or scarf (for the cloak)
- Whiteboard or large paper for the memory verse
Teacher notes
- Safety: Craft uses scissors, glue and markers. Use safety scissors, supervise closely and check for allergies or sensitivities first.
- Adaptation: Use picture cards of the story for children who need visuals, and offer a quieter option for the actions. Pair younger children with an older buddy for the craft.
- The passage does not say why the crowd wanted Bartimaeus quiet or what the people thought. Stay with the text.
- Do not suggest that Jesus heals everyone who asks in the same way. Keep the focus on Jesus hearing us and caring for us.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied Mark 10:46-52. Blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus even when the crowd told him to be quiet. Jesus stopped, called him and healed him. Bartimaeus then followed Jesus. Children learned that Jesus hears us and welcomes us when we call.
- Why did Bartimaeus keep calling out to Jesus?
- What would you ask Jesus to do for you today?
Read Mark 10:46-52 together. Take turns saying the memory verse, once softly and once loudly. Then share one thing each person wants to tell Jesus and pray together.
Each day this week, say a short prayer to Jesus about something you need or are thankful for. Use your Open-Eyes Card as a reminder.
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