This Bible study lesson is for people who are learning English (ELL or ESL students). It is made for advanced beginner and intermediate English learners. Children who speak English or adults who prefer easy English may also enjoy it and learn from it.
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Lesson Icebreaker Question
Have you ever asked someone for help? What happened?
Lesson Highlight
In this lesson, we will learn about a blind man who asked Jesus for help. We will see how the man believed in Jesus and how Jesus healed him. We will think about how we can ask God for help too.
Vocabulary List (GNT)
- Beggar — A person who asks others for food or money because they have none.
- Blind — Not able to see.
- Brought — To take someone or something to a place.
- Crowd — A large group of people.
- David — A great king from the Bible who loved God. God promised that the Savior would come from David’s family.
- Faith — Believing and trusting in God.
- Followed — To go after someone or move behind them.
- Have Mercy — To ask someone to be kind and help you.
- Jericho — A town in Israel where this story happened.
- Nazareth — A small town where Jesus grew up.
- Ordered — To tell someone to do something in a strong way.
- Praise — To say good things about someone, especially about God.
- Scolded — To speak in an angry way to tell someone they are wrong.
- See Again — To get your eyesight back after being blind.
- Son of David — A name for Jesus that shows he is the promised Savior.
- Thanks — Kind words to show you are happy for what someone has done.
Summary of the Passage
This passage tells the story of a man who could not see. He was blind and sat beside the road, asking people for money because he could not work. One day, the man heard many people walking by. He asked what was happening, and they told him that Jesus was coming.
The blind man called out to Jesus for help. He called Jesus by a special name, “Son of David,” which means the man believed Jesus was the Savior God had promised. The people around the man told him to be quiet, but he kept calling to Jesus. He believed Jesus could help him.
Jesus stopped and asked for the man to come close. Then Jesus asked what the man wanted. The man said he wanted to see again. Jesus healed the man right away because of his faith. The man could see, and he followed Jesus. He also thanked God. All the people who saw this miracle praised God together.
This passage teaches us that Jesus hears us when we call to him. It shows us that faith is believing Jesus can help us. Jesus cares for people in need, and he loves to heal and help them.
Read The Passage
Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar
Luke 18:35-43 (GNT)
35 As Jesus was coming near Jericho, there was a blind man sitting by the road, begging.
36 When he heard the crowd passing by, he asked, “What is this?”
37 “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.
38 He cried out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
39 The people in front scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David! Have mercy on me!”
40-41 So Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
“Sir,” he answered, “I want to see again.”
42 Jesus said to him, “Then see! Your faith has made you well.”
43 At once he was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving thanks to God. When the crowd saw it, they all praised God.
Most English learners should use the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) or the Good News Translation (GNT) because they are easy to read. If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions:
- Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 18:35-43 (NIRV)
- Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 18:35-43 (GNT)
- Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 18:35-43 (NLT)
- Hard: New International Version: Luke 18:35-43 (NIV)
- Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 18:35-43 (ESV)
Comprehension Questions
- Where was the blind man sitting?
- What did the man hear as people passed by?
- What did the people tell him when he asked what was happening?
- What did the man shout to Jesus?
- How did the people around him act when he called out?
- What did Jesus do when he heard the man?
- What did Jesus ask the blind man?
- What did the man say he wanted?
- What happened after Jesus spoke to him?
- What did the people do when they saw the miracle?
Application Questions
- Why do you think the man kept calling to Jesus, even when people told him to stop?
- How do you think the man felt when Jesus healed him?
- Is there something you want to ask God to help you with today?
- How can we show thanks to God for the good things he does for us?
Theological Insights
- Jesus is the Son of David, the Savior God promised long ago.
- Faith means believing in Jesus and trusting he can help us.
- Jesus hears us when we call out to him, even if others do not listen.
- Jesus cares for people who are hurting or in need.
- When God answers prayers, it is right to give thanks and praise him.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for hearing us when we pray. Help us to have faith like the blind man and trust you to help us. Thank you for your love. Amen.
ELL Resources for the Gospel of Luke
More ELL Resources
You can find more Bible lessons for English learners on the main ELL page.
Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Joyful Moments in Christ 