Outline

Lesson Overview
I. INTRODUCTION
Scripture Luke 18:35-43 “Blind man, be quiet!” Who was this man and why were the people
references.
telling him to be quiet?
Memory John 8:12 “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not
Verse walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” II. PROGRESSION OF EVENTS
A. Flashcard 4-1 (Luke 18:35)
Teaching The unsaved child will call on Jesus, the Light of the World, believing Blind Bartimaeus sat by the roadside begging.
Objective in Him to take away the darkness of sin. B. Flashcard 4-2
1. Maybe friends told Bartimaeus about Jesus and His ability
Glance” (pp.57-61) have been
designed for you to photocopy
and place in your Bible as ready
This page and “Lessons At-a-

Main Jesus, the Light of the World, came to take away your darkness of sin. to heal.
Teaching 2. You and I were born with sinful hearts. [Romans 3:10]
C. Flashcard 4-3 (Luke 18:31-34)
Emphasis Tell someone about Jesus, the Light of the World. 1. Jesus and His disciples traveled to Jerusalem.
for Saved 2. Jesus predicted His death but the disciples did not under-
stand Him.
Teaching Tell it—Jesus is the Light! D. Flashcard 4-4 (Luke 18:36-40)
Card* 1. Bartimaeus heard a crowd going by and asked what was
happening.

this page for club or class use. All other rights reserved.
Visual Aids Flashcards 4-1—7 2. They told him Jesus was passing by.
3. Bartimaeus called out to Jesus.
4. The crowd tried to quiet him but he shouted louder.
Schedule 90- 5. Jesus stopped because He loved Bartimaeus.
min
6. Jesus is God and He loves you too. [1 John 4:10]
Game Time Bubbles, parachute activities, big ball activities, attendance, name tags 15 7. Jesus asked that Bartimaeus be brought to Him.
E. Flashcard 4-5 (Luke 18:41-42)
Verse Song
“I Am the Resurrection (John 11:25)” 3 1. Jesus asked Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?”
(review)
2. Only Jesus can take away the darkness of sin from your
Teaching Card Tell it—Jesus is the Light! 1 heart. [Colossians 1:13-14]
Knowing Christ

3. Bartimaeus asked to receive his sight.

Rules UPs Rules 1
4. Jesus told him to receive his sight.
(Blind Bartimaeus)

Theme Song “I Want to Know Christ” 3

III. CLIMAX
The Light of the World

Prayer “God Can” 2 Flashcard 4-6 (Luke 18:43)

John 8:12
Bartimaeus received his sight—he was no longer in darkness!
Memory Verse Repetition: “Freeze” 8
“I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12)” (Use verse visual for this song.)
IV. CONCLUSION

Knowing Christ © 1997, 2007, 2012 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. Permission is given to photocopy
A. Flashcard 4-6 (Luke 18:43)
Get In on It! Discipleship emphasis 2 1. Bartimaeus called on Jesus and his sin was forgiven.
2. Bartimaeus followed Jesus, praising God.
Song “He Is God” 3
3. The people also praised God.
Lesson The Light of the World 15 4. Tell someone about Jesus, the Light of the World. [Mark 16:15]
B. Flashcard 4-7
Song “I Am the Light of the World (John 8:12)” 2
Call on Jesus, the Light of the World, who will take away the
Song: “Let’s Get Started” darkness of sin in your life. [Romans 10:13]
Missions Story: John Paton (4)* 12
Missionary/Project Scripture verses in parentheses are background text.
Lesson

Bracketed verses should be quoted or read directly from the Bible.

“Bucket Relay” review game
Review Game 8
(Children may be counseled at this time.)

Lesson 4
4

Take-home tokens, Wonderzone/Truth Chasers Club starter lessons

Hang-Out Time 15
and bookmarks, snack, gift, games, face painting

1
*If teaching in an urban setting, you may wish to use Totally Randall or Kickin’ It with Keon.
The memory verses in this series
are taken from the King James
Version of the Bible. If you are
using another version, you may
need to adapt the explanations
slightly.
Preschool Welcome Activity
“Listening Game”
Have preschoolers close their
eyes, listen to your instructions
(e.g., “Jump”; “Touch your nose”;
etc.) then follow them.
Preschool Song
“Gospel Fuzzies,” vv. 1-5
Preschool Rhyme
“His Name Is Jesus”
For preschoolers, have a special
place, such as the opposite end
of the room, for teaching the verse.
Guide the children to go there and
sit down.
Preschool Memory Verse
Use the verse card, p. 55, to teach
John 3:36: “He that believeth on
the Son hath everlasting life.”
Preschool Repetition
“Stop and Go”
If your mommy or daddy is driving,
what do they do if they see this
sign? (Hold up a go sign you have
made or one from the visualized
song “Go,” available from CEF
Press. Allow response.) What do
they do when they see this sign?
(Hold up a stop sign you have
made or one from the visualized
song “Stop,” available from CEF
Press. Allow response.) When
you see the go sign, say our Bible
verse. When you see the stop sign,
stop saying the verse and be very
quiet. (Say the verse six to eight
times, always stopping at the end
of phrases or at natural pauses.
You may also allow children to hold
the sign but allow them just three
changes each.)
Have the children return to the
story area.
Preschool Song
“Tell the Story True”
2 Knowing Christ © 1997, 2007, 2012 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. Permission is given to photocopy memory verse teaching and
repetition for club or class use. All other rights reserved.
Teaching the Memory Verse
Memory Verse: John 8:12
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.”
Introduction: (Cup your hands together tightly as though you were hiding something.
Allow two or three children to peek inside as you open your hands just a
little, and have them tell you what they see. They will see nothing.) What’s
inside? Darkness! You can’t see the darkness because every time I open
my hands, the light gets in! Light makes the darkness go away. This
reminds me of a name Jesus calls Himself in God’s Word.
Presentation: (Read the verse from your Bible, then have the children read the verse with
you from the verse visual.)
Explanation: “I am the light of the world”—Every person in the world is born in the
darkness of sin. Sin is like darkness because it blinds you from seeing
the truth and keeps you separated from God. But the Lord Jesus is the
Light of the World—there is no darkness of sin in Him. He came to
break the darkness of sin by dying on the cross. He took the punishment
for your sin so you could be near to God and have the darkness of sin
removed from your life.
“he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life”—Those who have not believed in the Lord Jesus as Savior are
walking in the darkness of sin. But when you choose to follow Jesus,
believing in Him to save you from sin, He comes to live inside you. He
gives you His new life inside—eternal life—so you can live for ever with
Him. His life inside you is the light that helps keep you from living in
the darkness of sin.
Application: Unsaved: If you have not believed in Jesus to save you, you are still in
the darkness of sin and your sin keeps you far away from God. You
can choose to call on the Lord Jesus today, believing in Him to take
away your darkness of sin. Later we will talk more about this.
Saved: If you have believed in Jesus as Savior, you are a follower of
Jesus. As you follow Jesus, let His life inside you shine as a light
to help others find their way to God. Look for opportunities to tell
your friends, family members and others about Jesus, the Light of
the World.
Repetition: Freeze
(Start by selecting an exercise for the children to do. After a few seconds,
call out “Freeze!” Have the children remain frozen in that position while
repeating the verse. Children can then take turns leading the class by
choosing exercises and calling out “Freeze!” Repeat several times until
verse is learned.)
Lesson
INTRODUCTION
“Jesus! Have mercy on me!” cried the blind beggar.
“Be quiet! Can’t you see Jesus is busy? He doesn’t want to see you, blind man!” The
people in the crowd tried to hush him.
Who was this blind man and why were the people telling him to be quiet? Let’s look
into God’s true Word, the Bible, to find out!
 PROGRESSION OF EVENTS
The Bible tells about a man who lived in the beautiful city of Jericho. But he couldn’t Jericho (JERH-ih-coe)
see any of the flowers or palm trees or the bright sun. To him the world was always Your visual learners will appreciate
locatiing this city on a map.
darker than the darkest night because he was blind! Can you imagine not being able
to see anything? Close your eyes as tight as you can for five seconds. (Count to five.)
Okay, now you can open them. That seemed like a long time, didn’t it? Can you imagine
not being able to see anything—ever?

Slide 4-1
Every day blind Bartimaeus sat by the roadside begging for money from the Bartimaeus (bar-tih-MAY-us)
Have children repeat the name
busy people who hurried in and out of the city. Bartimaeus probably did not want with you. Auditory learners
to be a beggar. But in those days blind people were not trained for special jobs as need to verbalize words to
they are today. remember them.
Oh, if only I could have a job and earn money like other men! he may have thought.
But day after day he sat begging by the hot dusty road. Sometimes friendly people
stopped to talk. Maybe they brought him the latest news about themselves and about
the town.

Slide 4-2
One day friends of Bartimaeus told him the most exciting news ever! It may have
happened something like this:
“Have you heard about Jesus of Nazareth?” they asked excitedly. Nazareth (NAZ-ah-reth)
“No,” answered Bartimaeus. “Who is He?”
“Some think He is a messenger of God—a prophet,” explained one friend.
Another added, “And some say He is the Savior, the one God promised to send.
Everyone is talking about Him. He teaches about God and Heaven and performs miracles.
He fed five thousand men from only five loaves of bread and two fish. He made dead
people alive again! He made deaf people hear and those who could not speak, He made
talk. Bartimaeus, He even made a blind man see!”
He made a blind man see! thought Bartimaeus excitedly. I wonder if He could make
me see!
From that day on Bartimaeus must have thought about Jesus. Bartimaeus and all the
people of Israel were waiting for the promised one—the Messiah—to come. They were Israel (IS-ray-ell)
waiting for this person to be their mighty King and Savior. Could Jesus be the promised Messiah (meh-SIGH-uh)
one? Maybe He would heal Bartimaeus and make him see!
Bartimaeus was in physical darkness because he could not see with his eyes. But
he had a much greater problem. Bartimaeus had darkness in his heart because of sin.

You and I were also born with sinful hearts and a want-to to disobey God.
The Bible says, “There is none righteous, [right before God], no, not one”
(Romans 3:10). God says that sinning is like being in darkness because you Share examples of sin the children
are apart from Him and cannot find your way to Him; sin has blinded you you are teaching can relate to.
from seeing the truth about yourself and about God. What is sin? Anything
you think, say or do that does not please God. Disobeying your parents or Show preschoolers sin application
pictures.
teachers, lying so you don’t get caught or taking something that doesn’t belong
to you are all things that do not please God. God says sin must be punished;
the punishment is to be forever separated from God in a terrible place called
Hell. Without the Lord Jesus you are in the darkness of sin.

Bartimaeus also had darkness in his heart because of sin. It was a much greater Dramatize Bartimaeus’s desire to
problem than not being able to see with his eyes. But oh how Bartimaeus wanted to see! see Jesus.
If only he could meet Jesus! But he couldn’t take a trip to Nazareth. All he could do was Jerusalem (jeh-ROO-sah-lem)
wait and hope Jesus would come to Jericho someday.
So that’s just what Bartimaeus did day after day as he sat by the roadside begging. Passover feast—the yearly Jewish
feast celebrating the deliverance of
When spring arrived, crowds of people began traveling the road leading from Jericho the Israelites from Egypt the night
to Jerusalem. It was time for the Passover feast and many journeyed long distances to the death angel passed over the
celebrate in Jerusalem. houses marked with the blood of
the lamb.
Lesson 4 3

State Bartimaeus’s thoughts
dramatically or have a child
prepared to express them.
Young children will enjoy making
the sounds of many feet.
Preschool Song
“Have You Any Fear?”
Have children repeat this phrase
three times, each time getting
louder.
Preschool Song
“Jesus’ Love Is Sweet and
Wonderful”
Have preschoolers quote 1
Corinthians 15:3-4 with motions.
Preschool Song
“Nothing But the Blood”
4 Knowing Christ
Slide 4-3
Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem too. The disciples were
puzzled and sad because they could not understand the things Jesus had just told them.
He had said, “When I get to Jerusalem, the chief priests and scribes will arrest Me and
sentence Me to die. They will give Me to the people who hate Me. They will spit on
Me and whip Me; then they will kill Me. But on the third day after I die I will rise again
from the dead.”
Why should He die? the disciples wondered. They did not understand that God
had planned for these things to happen to His perfect Son so they could have their
sin forgiven.
Slide 4-4
These were busy days for blind Bartimaeus with so many people traveling to the
feast. They were good days for begging. Bartimaeus may have wondered, Will Jesus of
Nazareth come through Jericho? I’m sure He could make me see.
One day as Bartimaeus sat by the roadside, he heard happy, excited voices and
the sound of many feet. He knew it was a big group. Something unusual was going on!
Maybe he called out, “What is happening? Why is there such a large crowd?”
“Jesus of Nazareth is coming!” came the answer.
Jesus of Nazareth! Bartimaeus trembled at the thought. He must get to Jesus, but
how? He couldn’t see Jesus—and in this great crowd of people, Jesus might not see
him! What could Bartimaeus do? (Allow response.) There was one thing he could do.
He could call out to Jesus.
“Jesus, Son of David,” Bartimaeus cried. “Have mercy on me!”
The people standing in front of Bartimaeus became very angry with him. “Be quiet!”
they commanded.
But Bartimaeus paid no attention. He was afraid Jesus might pass by without hearing
him! “Son of David,” Bartimaeus shouted even louder. “Have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped
walking and stood still. How He loved Bartimaeus!
Do you know God loves you? He loves everyone in the whole world. Do
you know He made you? He knows all about you—the color of your eyes and if
you’re short or tall. God also made the sky, the beautiful flowers and trees and
the whole world! On the count of three, jump up and point to something God
made. One, two, three! (Lead the children in pointing to things God made.) God
is perfect and pure from all sin. But in spite of our sin God the Father “loved us,
and sent his Son” (1 John 4:10). Jesus is God the Son. How He loves you and
me—much more than we can ever imagine!
Jesus loved Bartimaeus too. That’s why He stopped when He heard Bartimaeus.
Jesus said, “Call him. Bring him to Me.”
“Bartimaeus, get up! He’s calling you!” the people said excitedly. Can you get up
and run in place? (Run in place with the children.)
Slide 4-5
Bartimaeus stood quickly and came to Jesus. Jesus asked in a loving voice, “What
do you want Me to do for you?”
Jesus was the only one who had the power to make Bartimaeus see. But more
than that, He was the only one who could take away the darkness of sin from
Bartimaeus’s heart.
Jesus is the only one who can take away the darkness of sin from your
heart too. Just a few days after being in Jericho, the Lord Jesus died on the
cross, taking the punishment for the sin of the whole world, including yours
and mine. He willingly died, giving His precious blood to make a way for your
sin to be forgiven. Jesus didn’t deserve to die, because He had no sin at all. He
is the perfect Son of God. The Bible says that the Lord Jesus “delivered us from
 the power of darkness…through his blood” (Colossians 1:13-14). Jesus’ blood,
given on the cross, frees us from the darkness of sin. We no longer have to be
separated from God. Jesus died and was buried but He came alive again on the
third day. Many people saw Jesus after He came alive again. He lives today in
Heaven. He is the King over all! Jesus is the only one who can take the darkness
of sin from your heart.

Jesus was the only one who could take away the darkness of sin from Bartimaeus’s
heart. He was also the only one with the power to give Bartimaeus his eyesight.
Jesus had asked him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” What do you think
Bartimaeus said to Jesus? (Allow response.) He said, “Lord, let me receive my sight!” On
the count of three, shout it out with me! “Lord, let me receive my sight!”
A hush came over the crowd. Everyone watched Jesus. What would He do?
“Receive your sight,” said Jesus softly. As Jesus spoke, Bartimaeus believed
His words.

Slide 4-6
All of a sudden it was as though a blindfold had been taken off his eyes! Bartimaeus
blinked in the bright sunlight. For the first time he saw light! Color! People! He saw
Jesus—the one who had healed him!

CLIMAX
Bartimaeus received his sight—he was no longer in darkness! State climax dramatically.

CONCLUSION
But something greater had happened to Bartimaeus than just receiving his sight!
He had called on Jesus, believing in Jesus to save him, and was no longer in the
darkness of sin. Bartimaeus’s sin had been forgiven! He praised God for His power
and so did all the people who had seen him receive his sight. The Bible tells us that
Bartimaeus followed Jesus. Bartimaeus came to know that the Lord Jesus Christ is
truly the Light of the World. Probably everywhere Bartimaeus went he told how Jesus,
the Son of God, had made him see.

EMPHASIS FOR SAVED

Slide 4-7

If you have already called on Jesus, you can tell someone about Jesus,
the Light of the World. The Bible says in Mark 16:15 that we should “preach
Teaching Card
the gospel to every creature.” That means tell everyone in the whole world
Show the card and have the
and especially those around you the good news about Jesus. You can do children repeat the statement:
that today! “Tell it—Jesus is the Light!” Tell
the kids that anytime you call out
“Word Up!” they are to shout the
Slide 4-8 phrase back. Call it out during
transition times, times when kids
Tell your friends or family members what the Lord Jesus has done for are restless or just anytime!
you. Tell your neighbors or your school teacher that Jesus died on the cross Tracts such as “Heaven…How to
for your sins and how and when you asked Him to be your Savior. Who else Get There,” available from CEF
Press, may be given for children
could you tell about Jesus? (Allow response.) You may be the only person to
to share with friends. Demonstrate
tell them how they can call on the Lord Jesus as their Savior from sin. If you how to use the tract with a child.
have already called on Jesus, you can tell someone about Jesus, the Light of
the World.

Lesson 4 5

Invite children to come to Christ
by using the method given here
or one you have found effective.
Having children pray silently
during the class time is useful for
teaching situations which will not
allow for individual counseling.
Whenever possible, however,
meet the children after the
invitation to counsel them. See
“How to Lead a Child to Christ,”
inside front cover.
Have preschoolers quote
John 3:36.
Preschool Song
“Gospel Fuzzies,” vv. 1-5
Review Game
“Bucket Relay”
Divide into teams and have each
team line up along a starting
line. Ask questions, alternating
between the teams. The first
person on the team to raise his
hand and answer correctly when
called on moves to the front of
his line. When all questions have
been asked, have a bucket relay
race. Place a bucket of water with
a sponge in it at the beginning of
each line. Each member of the
team carries the sponge to an
empty bucket across the playing
area, squeezes it out then returns
the sponge to his team’s bucket
of water. The team with the most
water in its second bucket after
all players have run is the winner.
Preschool Review Game
“Stop and Go”
Put the stop and go signs from
the verse repetition behind your
back, one in each hand. After a
child answers a question, he can
tap your arm. Reveal the sign from
the side he tapped. If he picked the
stop sign, he returns to his seat.
If he picked the go sign, he gives
you a high five before returning
to his seat.
6 Knowing Christ © 1997, 2007, 2012 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. Permission is given to photocopy review questions and games
for club or class use. All other rights reserved.
INVITATION
If you have never called on the Lord Jesus, He can take away the darkness
of sin in your life today. Your sin separates you from God. But because God
loves you, He sent Jesus into this world to take the punishment for sin that
you deserve. The Bible says (read from the Bible), “Whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). That means you
need to come to Jesus and believe with all your heart that He died on the
cross, giving His precious blood as payment for your sin. If you call on Him
by saying you are sorry for your sin and trust Him as your Savior, you will no
longer be in the darkness of sin. He will save you from the punishment you
deserve and change your life forever. That is the most important decision
you can ever make in your life. Please bow your heads and close your eyes. If
you would like to call on Jesus, believing in Him to save you today, show me
by quietly standing where you are. (Allow response.) You may all open your
eyes. Come with me now to (designate location) and I will show you from the
Bible how you can be saved.
Review Questions
1. Who was Bartimaeus and what did he do for a living? (He was a blind man
who begged for a living.)
2. What did blind Bartimaeus hope for after he had heard of Jesus? (He hoped
Jesus would come to Jericho and help him see.)
3. Why do you think Bartimaeus thought that Jesus could help him see? (He
must have heard about the miracles Jesus had done for others—giving a blind
man his sight, feeding 5,000, raising Lazarus from the dead. He knew Jesus
must be the promised Savior.)
4. To what city was Jesus going when He went through Jericho? (Jerusalem.)
5. What did Bartimaeus call out to Jesus as He was going by? (Jesus, Son of
David, have mercy on me!)
6. What two kinds of darkness did Bartimaeus have? (Blind eyes and sin in his heart.)
7. What did Jesus do so that we no longer have to be in the darkness of sin?
(He died on the cross, taking the punishment for our sins, and rose again.)
8. What two things happened to Bartimaeus when Jesus said, “Receive your
sight?” (His eyes were no longer blind; his sins were forgiven.)
9. How can you get rid of the darkness of sin? (By believing in the Lord Jesus.)
10. Who does Jesus say that He is in this lesson? (“I am the Light of the World.”)
Preschool Review Questions
1. What problem did Bartimaeus have? (He was blind.)
2. What problem do you and I have? (Sin.)
3. What is sin? (Anything you say, do or think that doesn’t please God.)
4. What did Bartimaeus do when he heard that Jesus was coming by? (He
called out to Jesus.)
5. What did Jesus do when He heard Bartimaeus? (He asked to talk to Bartimaeus.)
6. How did Jesus feel about Bartimaeus? (He loved him.)
7. How does Jesus feel about you? (He loves you very much.)
8. How did Jesus show He loves you? (He died on the cross for you.)
9. What did Jesus do for Bartimaeus? (Made him see; forgave his sin.)
10. Who can say John 3:36? (Quote memory verse.)
 Learning Activities
Leading the Blind
Choose a child to play the part of Bartimaeus. Tie a blindfold around his eyes
and choose another child to lead him around the room or designated area outside,
being careful to avoid obstacles. Point out that the blindfolded child has to trust his
leader just as Bartimaeus trusted Jesus to heal him. Choose other children to play
Bartimaeus and the leader as time permits.

Listening Game
Have children close their eyes and listen to the sounds around them. After they
open their eyes, have them share what they heard. How would they feel if they were
blind all the time and had to depend on their other senses?

Copyright © 1951, renewed 1979 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved. Permission is given
to make one photocopy for your accompanist. Copyright line must be included. All other rights reserved.

Lesson 4 7