Leader guide cover art

Jesus Heals a Sick Woman

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Wonder (2-3)Year 1Unit 2 (Wonder About God’s Daring Mission)Session 6
6

Jesus Heals a Sick Woman

Scripture
Focus
Jesus is pleased when we show our faith in him.
Faith Nurture Goals
  • Tell Jesus that we trust him.
  • Act out how the woman showed she trusted Jesus.
  • Pray for someone who is sick.
  • Celebrate Jesus' power.
Memory Challenge

Leader Reflection

Preparing to Tell God's Story

After two healing stories, you may be wondering what new angle could possibly make this one fresh and interesting. Actually, each one of the healing stories about Jesus is fascinating in its own way because each person is different. Unlike television faith healers, Jesus' healing ministry follows no set pattern but focuses on the needs of each individual who needs healing. This is especially true in the Gospel of Luke since Luke himself was a physician and took great interest in details of each particular case.

Here we have a woman who is subject to excessive menstrual bleeding for twelve years. Some manuscripts tell us that she had spent all her money on doctors to no avail. She was clearly desperate, but that desperation came not only from the disease but from its religious and spiritual implications. According to Jewish law, a menstruating woman was unclean, and anyone in contact with her became unclean. She was forbidden from entering the temple and was therefore cut off from the religious community. Like so many people Jesus healed, she was a religious outsider.

This fact also explains why she acted as she did. It's almost as though she snuck up on Jesus to touch his cloak. She had an almost superstitious faith in Jesus' power, and she was instantly healed. But her secret touch also meant that Jesus became unclean.

In the middle of the jostling crowd, Jesus stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" Peter points to the obvious fact that many people in the jostling crowd could have touched him. But for Jesus this was a special touch, for, as he says, "power has gone out from me."

Knowing that she could not escape recognition, the woman came trembling with fear and fell at Jesus feet. She told them her story---what had happened to her when she touched Jesus. Jesus' response was, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

The story is striking in many ways. First of all, this is the only story about a woman who was suffering from female problems. Second, it carries deeply spiritual overtones. The ritual uncleanness of a woman's bleeding is almost like a contagion that now carries over to Jesus. Not only does Jesus heal her, but he bears her uncleanness just as he bears the uncleanness of our sin.

The story is also interesting from a psychological perspective. Jesus could have allowed the woman to slink away in the crowd, healed and free. By drawing her out and inviting her to tell her story, Jesus invested her with a new dignity. It's only when she personally turns to Jesus, identifies herself, and tells her story that she is truly healed. Now she is addressed as "daughter," and can be told, "Go in peace." That's more than just being healed. Jesus isn't just in the healing business but is ultimately after a personal, face-to-face relationship with people and a whole new way of life.

Wondering
  • Why did the woman decide to merely touch Jesus garment?

  • How did she feel when Jesus asked, “Who touched me?’

  • What part of the story touches you most personally?

Teaching
  • Many of your children will be able to identify with the woman’s shyness and her unwillingness to talk to Jesus face to face. Help them understand that by forcing her to identify herself, Jesus is not punishing her shyness, but inviting her into a more personal relationship with him.

  • Children will be fascinated by the amazing power of Jesus, who can heal people who merely touch his garment. Let them know this is not some kind of magical power but the healing power of God that resides in Jesus in a unique way. Also help them to see that the woman’s healing wasn’t complete without a personal relationship with Jesus.

Steps

Step 1 Gathering for God's Story

  • music smart
  • picture smart
  • ​​people smart

Today we’ll be thinking about joy—joy for Jesus! We please Jesus when we express and live out our faith. That’s the message you want to leave on kids’ hearts and minds. Be sure kids know that their faith gives Jesus joy!

Welcome kids by name with a wink and a warm smile. Ask them to think of one thing that happened this week for which they want to give God a great big “thank you.” Start it off yourself, showing with your words, eyes, and expressions just how thankful you are. Then invite kids to share theirs.

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