Weekly Leader Training for Preschool & Kids: Unit 25, Session 4—Jesus Gave Life and Healing

You’ve likely heard the saying, “Desperate people do desperate things.” Most of the time, that phrase implies someone makes a bad decision because of their desperate situation. In this week’s session, however, we see two people doing desperate things that are, in fact, bold acts of faith.

First, there’s Jairus, a respected synagogue leader. But none of that mattered when his little girl was dying. In that moment, Jairus wasn’t a leader; he was just a dad, desperate for someone to save his child. By going to Jesus, ~~Jarius~~ Jairus could have been risking his position and standing in the synagogue and community. But desperate people do desperate things.

As Jesus went with Jairus, a woman appeared from the crowd. This woman had suffered for 12 years from a bleeding condition that left her socially, spiritually, and emotionally isolated. According to Mosaic law, everything she touched became unclean, and anyone who touched her became unclean. She wasn’t allowed to participate in the synagogue or the community. But she had heard about Jesus and had faith that touching even the edge of His clothes could heal her, so she reached out. Desperate people do desperate things.

Two people from opposite ends of society—one well-known, one forgotten; one pleading publicly, the other reaching secretly—yet both came to Jesus in faith. And in both cases, Jesus stopped for them and tenderly met their needs.

Our desperate moments are often the doorway to deeper faith. When we come to Jesus, whether boldly like Jairus or quietly like the woman, He meets us where we are. This week, help kids understand they can take their cares to the Savior who loved us enough to provide for our greatest need: forgiveness from sin.