Joyful Moments in Christ

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 7:1-17

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 7:1-17 - Faith and Compassion in the Power of Jesus

Faith and Compassion in the Power of Jesus

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus has authority over sickness and death, and he shows compassion to all who trust in him.

Lesson Objectives

  1. Students will see that Jesus has authority to heal by his word alone.
  2. Students will learn that true faith trusts in Jesus’ power even without visible proof.
  3. Students will see that Jesus cares deeply for people who are hurting.
  4. Students will learn that Jesus has power over life and death, giving hope to all who believe.

Class Setting Notes

  1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
  2. Lesson length: 45-60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

“Authority and Compassion” Role Play

  1. Ask for a volunteer to act as a leader giving instructions (for example: stand up, raise your hand, sit down). Others obey immediately.
  2. Then ask: “Why did you listen to the leader’s words? What gave those words power?”
  3. Next, share a short story of someone helping a hurting friend or family member. Ask: “How did the person show care?”

This activity helps introduce Jesus’ unique authority and deep compassion, which come together in his miracles.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 7:1-17 aloud together or have one person read it.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

  1. What does the centurion believe about Jesus’ authority?
  2. How does Jesus respond to the faith of the centurion?
  3. What does Jesus feel when he sees the widow in Nain?
  4. What does Jesus do for the widow’s son?
  5. How do the crowds react to these miracles?

Teacher Background Notes

  1. Capernaum was an important town where Jesus often taught and performed miracles.
  2. The centurion was a Roman officer, likely commanding around 100 soldiers. His humility and faith stand out, especially compared to many in Israel.
  3. Jewish elders spoke well of the centurion because he had shown kindness to the Jewish people, even helping build a synagogue.
  4. In the healing of the servant, Jesus demonstrates his authority by healing with just a word, without needing to be physically present.
  5. The town of Nain was small, about 25 miles from Capernaum. Jesus met the widow at the gate, where funerals traditionally passed out of the city.
  6. Widows in the ancient world were vulnerable. The widow of Nain had now lost her only son, leaving her without protection or support.
  7. Jesus shows both his divine compassion and his authority over life and death by raising the widow’s son.
  8. Together, these accounts highlight both the faith that trusts Jesus’ word and the compassion of the Savior who brings life.

Theological Insights

  1. True faith trusts in Jesus’ authority, even when his power is not seen with the eyes.
  2. Jesus’ authority is greater than sickness and even death.
  3. Jesus’ compassion shows that he cares for the brokenhearted and suffering.
  4. The miracles point to Jesus as the Messiah, the one who brings salvation to Jews and Gentiles.
  5. The resurrection of the widow’s son foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection and the hope of eternal life for all who believe.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

  1. What did the centurion believe Jesus could do by simply speaking?
  2. Why was Jesus amazed at the centurion’s faith?
  3. How did Jesus show compassion to the widow of Nain?
  4. What happened when Jesus told the young man to get up?
  5. How did the people respond to these two miracles?

Personal Reflection and Application

  1. Why do you think faith impressed Jesus so much in this story?
  2. What does this story teach us about how Jesus cares for people in need?
  3. How can you trust Jesus’ authority in a situation you cannot control?
  4. How can you show compassion to someone who is hurting this week?
  5. What hope do these stories give us about life and death?

Suggested Activities

Faith Relay

  1. Have students line up and pass a message down the line (for example, “Jesus heals”).
  2. The last person says the message aloud to show it reached the end.
  3. Discuss how the centurion believed Jesus’ word had power even from far away.

This activity helps children understand trusting in Jesus’ word without seeing him directly.

Compassion Cards

  1. Provide paper and markers.
  2. Have students create cards with encouraging Bible verses or drawings to give to someone who is sad or sick.
  3. Talk about how Jesus cared for the widow and how we can show compassion too.

This activity helps students practice showing care and encouragement to others.

“Life in Christ” Drama

  1. Assign students roles: Jesus, centurion, widow, servant, crowd.
  2. Act out the two miracles with simple movements and short dialogue.
  3. Afterward, reflect on what the miracles reveal about Jesus’ authority and compassion.

This activity helps students actively engage with the story and remember what Jesus did.

Memory Verse

Bible verse from Luke 7:16 about God visiting his people.

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”

Luke 7:16 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for showing us that Jesus has both authority and compassion. Help us to trust in his word like the centurion and to find comfort in his care like the widow. Teach us to follow Jesus with faith and to show kindness to others who are hurting.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 7:1-17 - Faith and Compassion in the Power of Jesus
Bible verse from Luke 7:16 about God visiting his people.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Studies based on Luke 7:1-17 here:

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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