Lowered Through the Roof
Four friends, one big hole in the roof
Jesus was back in Capernaum, and the house was so packed that there was no room left, not even outside the door! Four friends carried a paralysed man on a mat, hoping Jesus would heal him — but they couldn't get anywhere near the door.
So what did they do? They climbed onto the ROOF, dug through it, and lowered the man on his mat right down in front of Jesus! Jesus saw their faith and said to the paralysed man: 'Son, your sins are forgiven.' Some teachers of the law sitting there thought: 'Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Only God can forgive sins!' Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said: 'Which is easier — to say "your sins are forgiven" or "get up and walk"? I want you to know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.' Then He said to the man: 'Get up, take your mat and go home.' Immediately the man stood up, took his mat, and walked out in front of everyone — completely amazed!
✨ Memory verse
“I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”Mark 2:10 (NIV)
Tap the words in the right order:
🎉 You did it!
Type the verse from memory:
🎵 Sing along: A Song for Lowered Through the Roof
❓ Quiz time!
🖍️ Printables
👨👩👧 Parent & teacher guide
Big idea: physical healing and spiritual forgiveness presented together, proving Jesus' authority extends to both — the visible miracle (walking) validates the invisible one (forgiveness) that the religious leaders couldn't see or accept. The friends' resourceful, determined faith (literally breaking through a roof) is itself commended by Jesus before any words are even spoken.
Conversation starters: (1) What does the friends' determination — digging through a roof! — teach about bringing people to Jesus? (2) Why does Jesus address forgiveness before physical healing? (3) What does it mean that Jesus has "authority on earth to forgive sins"?
Pray for friends like these four, and for the same kind of determined faith on behalf of others.