Joyful Moments in Christ

Jesus Heals and Brings Life

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 power to heal the sick and to give life, and he calls us to trust him even when things seem impossible.

Lesson Objectives

1. Students will learn that Jesus healed a woman who had been sick for twelve years.
2. Students will see that Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
3. Students will understand that faith in Jesus brings peace and life.
4. Students will be encouraged to trust Jesus in times of fear and sadness.

Class Setting Notes

1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
2. Lesson length: 4560 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

1. Give each child a bandage and ask them to think of a time they were sick or hurt.
2. Ask: Who helped you when you were sick or hurt? How did it feel to be cared for?
3. Collect the bandages in a basket and say: Today we will learn about Jesus, who cared for people who were very sick and even gave life to someone who had died.

This activity helps introduce the idea that Jesus cares for our needs and has power to heal and give life.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 8:40-56 aloud together or have one person read it.

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 8:40-56 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 8:40-56 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 8:40-56 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 8:40-56 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 8:40-56 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 8:40-56 (ESV)

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. Listen for what Jairus asks Jesus to do.
2. Notice what the woman in the crowd believes about Jesus.
3. Think about how people respond when Jesus says the girl is only sleeping.
4. Watch for what Jesus does in both situations and how people react.

Teacher Background Notes

1. Jairus was a synagogue leader, a respected man who publicly humbled himself before Jesus.
2. The woman had been ceremonially unclean for twelve years according to the Law, which meant she was excluded from worship and community life. Her healing was both physical and social.
3. The delay in reaching Jairus’ house heightens the tension and shows that Jesus’ timing is perfect.
4. When Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter, he revealed his divine authority over death itself.
5. These two miracles together display that faith in Jesus, whether bold or trembling, is met with his compassion and power.

Theological Insights

1. Jesus is the Son of God with authority over sickness and death.
2. Faith is not about the strength of the believer but the power of the one in whom we trust.
3. Jesus shows compassion to both the socially respected (Jairus) and the socially excluded (the woman).
4. The kingdom of God brings restoration, peace, and life through Jesus Christ.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. What did Jairus ask Jesus to do for his daughter?
2. How long had the woman been sick, and what did she do to be healed?
3. What did Jesus say to the woman after she touched his cloak?
4. What news came to Jairus while Jesus was speaking to the woman?
5. What happened when Jesus took the girl’s hand and spoke to her?

Personal Reflection and Application

1. When have you felt afraid or worried, like Jairus did?
2. How does this story encourage you to trust Jesus when things feel hopeless?
3. What do you learn about Jesus’ care for people from the way he treated the woman?
4. How can we encourage others to believe in Jesus when life is difficult?

Suggested Activities

Faith in Action

1. Give students strips of paper and have them write a short prayer asking Jesus for help with something that feels hard.
2. Collect the papers and pray over them as a class. Get permission before you share the contents of the paper.

This activity helps students practice bringing their needs to Jesus in faith.

Touch the Cloak

1. Provide a piece of fabric and let students pass it around as you retell the woman’s story.
2. Remind them that the woman trusted Jesus, and he made her well.

This activity helps students connect physically with the story and remember the woman’s faith.

Get Up and Live

1. Have one student lie down as if “sleeping.” Another student can gently take their hand and say, “Get up,” as Jesus did.
2. Talk about how amazing it is that Jesus gave life to the girl.

This activity helps students remember Jesus’ power to give life.

Memory Verse

But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”

Luke 8:50 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for showing us that Jesus has power to heal and to give life. Help us to trust him when we are afraid and to remember that he cares for us in every situation.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 8:40-56 here:

ELL Lesson 40: Luke 8:40-56 — Jesus Heals and Brings Life

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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.