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✍️- The Son has Authority - October 2026
Key Passage: Matthew 5:16 NIrV
“In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Big Picture Question:
What did Jesus teach when He was on earth?

Big Picture Answer:
Jesus taught about who God is and invited people to be part of God’s kingdom by faith in Himself.

STORY: Jesus Forgives & Heals

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26

STORY SUMMARY:

• Jesus returned to Capernaum, where a crowd gathered to hear Him teach. 

• Four men lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof to reach Him. 

• Jesus healed the man to show His authority to forgive sins.

• The people were astonished and praised God.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• If your class had a Show-and-Tell day what would you show and tell about?

• How did the four men and their friend show faith in Jesus?

• How did Jesus show He has power to forgive sins? 

• Why is that important for us?

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Since Adam’s and Eve’s sin, people are born with sinful hearts and still sin. Yet, God promised to send a Savior, who would be both God and human. Jesus showed He was and is the promised Savior by His powerful teaching and miracles. When Pharisees questioned that Jesus could forgive sins, Jesus showed His power as God by healing the paralyzed man. Jesus still has power to heal and forgive. Only through faith in Jesus can people be saved from their sins.

STORY POINT:
Jesus showed He is our Savior from sin by healing a paralyzed man.

STORY: Jesus Chose Disciples

SCRIPTURE: Mark 2:13-17; 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16

STORY SUMMARY:

• While teaching by the sea, Jesus called Levi to follow Him.

• Levi immediately did and then invited his friends to come and see Jesus.

• After spending a night in prayer, Jesus chose twelve disciples to follow Him full-time.

• They learned from Jesus and helped him share the Good News that by faith in Jesus anyone can be spiritually well. 

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• When have you been excited to receive an invitation?

• How did Levi respond to Jesus’ invitation to become His disciple?

• How can we follow Jesus and share His love with others this week?

CHRIST CONNECTION:
In the Old Testament, even “heroes” of faith struggled: Abraham lied because he was afraid; Isaac, too; and Jacob continually schemed. Yet, God invited them to trust and follow Him. He is compassionate and gracious and forgives sin. Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Repeatedly, He invited sinners to trust in and follow Him. We can’t come to God by being good. We need Jesus’ forgiveness, too.  By faith in Him, our sins are forgiven, and we are right with God, equipped to follow and to share the Good News.

STORY POINT:
Jesus invited twelve men to follow Him and share the Good News.

STORY: The Lord of the Sabbath

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12:1-13; Mark 2:23-28; 3:1-6; Luke 6:1-11

STORY SUMMARY:

• The Pharisees complained that Jesus’ disciples were doing work on the Sabbath.

• Jesus reminded them that showing mercy was more important than just bringing sacrifices. 

• Later, Jesus healed a man with a shriveled hand on the Sabbath.

• Again, he said that it’s right to show love for people on the Sabbath day.

• The Pharisees were very angry that Jesus corrected them.

• Jesus was sad because they wouldn’t believe Him.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• Can you think of a time when you had a choice between two good things?

  • How did you decide?

• God commanded His people to rest and worship on the Sabbath day.

  • Why do you think He did this? (See Exodus 20:8-11.)

• How can we honor God both by resting and by showing love?

CHRIST CONNECTION:
When God gave the 10 Commandments, He told His people to keep the Sabbath day special by resting and worshiping. God knows that rest is important for our bodies, minds, and spirits. By the time of Jesus, some teachers of God’s words had added long lists of things not to do on the Sabbath, but they had forgotten the heart of what God wanted. Jesus showed that God gives us commands to help us, not to hurt us. Jesus rules over all and teaches us to follow Him by showing HIs love. Jesus kept all of God’s commandments perfectly, so that all might rest in HIs forgiving love and show His love to others.

STORY POINT:
Jesus is the King and wants us to show His love to others.

STORY: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5-7; Luke 6

STORY SUMMARY:

• On a mountainside, Jesus taught about the blessed life of His followers.

  He said His followers show His love (even for enemies), trust God to provide, and talk to their heavenly Father regularly.

• Jesus said hearing, trusting, and living His words is a solid foundation for life.

• The crowd was amazed by the description of following God.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• What are some family traditions/habits that you have? 

• Jesus said that by faith in Him we are members of His family, and God is our Father.

  • How can we be like our heavenly Father? (See Luke 6:35-36.)

• Jesus used other pictures about life in His family, too. Here are some more:

  • What do birds and flowers show us about life with God? (See Matthew 6:25-34.)

  • How can our lives with God be like a lamp/light? (See Matthew 5:14-16.)

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Since the fall into sin, all people have been born with a sinful heart. Because of our sinful hearts, the usual way of thinking and acting is often proud and selfish. You know how that often shows up…we fight, we complain, we lie or deceive, we put others down and so many more things all because we want to be number one. When Jesus taught, He invited people to be part of God’s kingdom. But living in God’s kingdom really seemed backwards. He taught people to be greedy—not for things or power—but for doing the right thing. He taught people to love all—even their enemies—rather than get revenge. He said, true wisdom hears his words and does them. Because of sin in our hearts, no one does what is right and good all the time. But, when we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin and gives us a new heart and His Spirit so we can live backwards—in ways that show His love and give Him glory.

STORY POINT:
Jesus showed He is our Savior from sin by healing a paralyzed man.

Just as Jesus shared God’s love for the world and showed it in tangible ways, we can reflect His love to the world around us. This is the heart of our Operation Christmas Child service project.

Over the next four weeks, we’ll gather toys, school and hygiene supplies to pack into gift boxes that will be sent to vulnerable children around the world. Local believers who deliver the gifts also invite families to hear more about the greatest Christmas gift, Jesus.

How can your family get involved? First, talk with your kids about OCC and pray for the kids and families that will receive the gifts. This kid friendly link walks through the journey of a shoe box.

Second, as you are able, consider donating toys, school and hygiene items for the gift boxes. Check out the supplies needed here.

Finally, kids can participate in their Sunday groups both in preparing items for the boxes on November 15 and in packing the gift boxes on November 22. Thank you so much for sharing and showing the love of Christ here in Manhattan and around the world! description