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What A Mess!: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: Jesus' Ministry SCRIPTURE: The Gospels DECORATING THEME: Spills & Messes AGE GROUP: Elementary (Get the Preschool version here !) Spills happen. Paint tips over, slime sticks to the table, and sometimes projects don't turn out the way we planned. Other times, the mess is on the inside: hurt feelings, mistakes, or choices we wish we could undo. In this series, we'll learn about a Savior who doesn't step back from messes. Jesus steps right in, bringing healing, peace, forgiveness, and brand-new beginnings. In this four week series focused on Jesus' ministry in the Gospels, we'll see that Jesus isn't afraid of our mess, Jesus gives us peace when life is messy, Jesus sees a miracle when others see a mess, and Jesus forgives us when we mess up. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Jesus isn't afraid of our messes. (Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy: Luke 5:12-15; 1 Peter 5:6-7) Jesus gives us peace when life feels messy. (Jesus Heals a Sick Woman: Mark 5:24b-34; Numbers 6:24-26) Jesus sees a miracle when others see a mess. (Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind: John 9:1-12; Isaiah 43:18-19) Jesus forgives us when we mess up. (Jesus and Tax Collectors: Luke 5:30-32, 18:9-14; 1 John 1:8-9) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, kids see Jesus heal a man with leprosy, who no one else would help. Sometimes messes make people back away. Like when something spills and everyone suddenly disappears because no one wants to clean up! This week, we'll hear how Jesus went near a man with a serious skin disease and chose compassion instead of fear. Jesus didn't pull away or act grossed out. He showed love because Jesus isn't afraid of our mess. This week, kids learn how Jesus healed a sick woman who believed simply being close to Jesus would help her. Ever feel like your thoughts are spinning in every direction, like glitter in a snow globe? This week, we'll hear how a woman who had been hurting for a long time reached out to Jesus in a crowded place and found peace and healing. Jesus stopped, noticed her, and brought calm to her life. We'll discover that Jesus gives us peace when life feels messy. This week, kids see Jesus heal a man who was born blind and invite crowds to witness the miracle. Sometimes a mess looks like a ruined project that no one thinks can be fixed. This week, we'll hear how Jesus healed a man who had been blind since birth, even when others only saw what was wrong. Jesus saw a chance to do something amazing, so He did! Because Jesus sees a miracle when others see a mess. This week, kids learn how Jesus spent time with tax collectors, while other people ignored and avoided them. Ever make a mess so big you didn't know how to clean it up? Maybe you tried to hide the mess because you felt bad. This week, we'll hear how Jesus welcomed people who knew they had messed up and offered them forgiveness instead of shame. Jesus didn't ignore the mess. He cleaned it up with grace, because Jesus forgives us when we mess up. MEMORY VERSE: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." -Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

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