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✍️- The Son has Authority - September 2026
Key Passage: Isaiah 61:1-2a CSB
“The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Big Picture Question:
Why did Jesus perform miracles? Jesus performed miracles to glorify God, to show He is the Son of God, and to care for people.

Jesus’ Second Miracle - John 4:46-54

STORY SUMMARY:

• A royal official traveled 20 miles to ask Jesus to help his dying son.

• Jesus had pity on him and said: “Go. Your son will live.” 

• The man believed Jesus and set out for home.

• On the way home, he learned his son was healed at the exact moment Jesus spoke.

• His whole household trusted in Jesus as the Savior.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• What does this true story tell us about Jesus’ power?

• How did the man show he trusted Jesus? 

• How can we show our trust in Jesus?

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Jesus showed the royal official that He has power even over deadly sicknesses. But Jesus has even greater power than that. Because of sin, the Bible says, we were dead spiritually dead—separated from God (Ephesians 2). But, because of His great love, Jesus provided the way to save us by dying for our sins and rising again. Everyone who turns away from their sins and trusts in Him is saved from death and will live forever with God. This is God’s free gift in Jesus!

STORY POINT:
Jesus healed an official’s son, showing His love and power as God.

Jesus Rejected in Nazareth - Luke 4:14-30

STORY SUMMARY:

• In His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus taught in their synagogue (church). 

• He read a 700-year-old prophecy of Isaiah that told what the Messiah would do.

• Jesus said, “Today, these words are coming true as you listen!”

• The people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching, but some couldn’t believe it was true.

• Jesus was sad when people in his home town didn’t believe in Him.This was picture language, He would die but rises again on the third day—showing He is the promised Savior.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• What did Isaiah's prophecy say about Messiah (the Savior)?

• How did Jesus show He is the promised Messiah?

• What does Jesus invite you to believe and do? 

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Jesus’ words are good news: forgiveness and freedom are God’s free gift by faith in Him! Sometimes people believe this good news and receive these blessings. Other times—as in his home town—people think this is too good to be true, and they turn away. Jesus wants all people to trust Him and be saved and so He uses every opportunity to invite people to trust Him.

STORY POINT:
Jesus taught that He is the Messiah, who frees people from sin.

Healings in Capernaum

STORY SUMMARY:

• Jesus traveled to a large town called Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee.

• On the Sabbath, He taught powerfully and skillfully in the synagogue (church).

• While he was teaching, he healed a man controlled by an evil spirit.

• Later that day, He healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law from a high fever.

• That evening, crowds of people came and were healed by Jesus.

• News of Jesus’ power spread throughout the whole area.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• How did Jesus show His power and His wisdom in Capernaum?

• How does Jesus' kindness in Capernaum help us know what God is like?

• Complete this thought: “Because Jesus is kind, wise, and strong, I can trust Him for…"

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Since the time sin entered the world, it has affected all parts of life and especially our relationship with God. But, God promised to send a Rescuer to heal us and our world from sin. Jesus showed His power as the Messiah by freeing people from diseases and from the control of evil spirits. By faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we have His peace and presence as we live each day. One day, He will make a new heaven and earth where sin, death, and sickness will no longer exist, and we will live with Him in perfect freedom and joy forever. 

STORY POINT:
Jesus showed His kindness and power as God by healing many people. 

Healings in Galilee

STORY SUMMARY:

• Jesus was busy teaching and healing, so He rose early to pray alone.

• A man with a deadly skin disease approached and said: “If you are willing. You can heal me.”

• Jesus was filled with compassion, touched the man, and said, “I am willing.”

• The man was healed instantly.

• News about Jesus spread and crowds followed Him even in out-of-the-way places.

• Jesus continued teaching and healing and finding quiet times to pray alone.

REVIEW QUESTIONS:

• Why do you think Jesus often rose early to pray alone?

• How is talking with God connected with following God closely?

• What are some things that we can talk with God about?

CHRIST CONNECTION:
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve had perfect fellowship with God. They walked with Him and knew and followed His will. As the perfect Son of God and Son of Man, Jesu also loved to be with His Father and woke up early to talk with Him alone. This fueled Jesus for teaching people about God’s kingdom and showing God’s love—as He did to the man with leprosy. Talking with our Father strengthens us to know and do His will, too. Thanking, praising, and praying—for ourselves and others—keeps us in tune with God’s will and living with and for Him.

STORY POINT:
Jesus talked with His Father regularly and showed His Father’s love by healing and teaching.