The big ideaThe Bible tells us four friends brought a man to Jesus, and Jesus made him well.
How it works
The Bible tells us about a man who could not walk. He lay on a mat all day, but he had four good friends.
When they heard Jesus was home in Capernaum, they carried him there on his mat. The house was so full that nobody could get near the door.
So the friends climbed the steps up the outside wall to the flat roof and dug a hole through it. In those days roofs were made of branches and clay.
They lowered the mat on ropes, right in front of Jesus. He told the man to get up, pick up his mat and go home, and the man walked out carrying it.
How the friends found a way in.
Example 1: Put the plan in order
First the friends carried the man on his mat.
Then they found the door blocked, so they went up the steps to the roof.
Next they dug through the sticks and clay.
Last they lowered the mat on ropes until it touched the floor.
Example 2: Why the roof?
Read the problem: the crowd was packed too tight, so nobody could get near the door.
The friends did not give up.
The story says the roof was made of sticks, branches and clay, so they could dig through it.
Example 3: Fix the mistake
Someone says Jesus told the man to stay on his mat.
Look back: Jesus told him to get up, pick up his mat and go home.
Fix it: the man stood up and walked out carrying the mat.
Words to know
Capernaum
A town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
faith
Trusting someone, and doing something because you trust them.
forgive
To let go of a hurt and start fresh.
mat
The bed the man lay on, which his friends carried.
Watch out
It was the friends who dug through the roof, not the man on the mat.
The teachers of the law muttered inside. They did not say it out loud.
The man walked home carrying the mat, the same mat that had carried him.
Try it
How many friends carried the man?
Why did they go up on the roof?
What did the friends use to lower the mat?
What did Jesus tell the man to do?
Answers: 1. Four · 2. The crowd blocked the door · 3. Ropes · 4. Get up, pick up his mat and go home
Try at homeWith a grown-up, think of a friend who needs help. Decide one thing you can do for them this week.
For grown-upsThe episode says the friends showed their faith by what they did. Ask your child what the friends did, one step at a time, rather than what faith means.
Open these notes on screenScan the code, or go to tutorpip.com.