The Centurion’s Servant Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus’ word was enough.”
Jesus came into the town of Capernaum. A centurion lived there. In those days, Roman soldiers ruled the land. A centurion was a Roman officer. He was the leader of one hundred soldiers! He was a strong and important man.
The centurion was not a Jew. But he loved God’s people. He was kind to them. The Jewish leaders said he was a good man. He had even built a synagogue for them. A synagogue is a house where people meet to learn about God.
He had a servant at home who was very dear to him. Very dear means he loved him very much. And the servant was very sick. He was so sick, he was close to dying.
The centurion came to Jesus. He asked Jesus for help. A big, strong soldier, asking for help! “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed.” Paralyzed means he could not move. He had to lie in bed all day. He was in great pain.
Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” Heal means make well. Jesus was ready to go with him.
But the centurion answered. “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Under my roof means: into my house. Not worthy means not good enough. He knew Jesus was holy and great. Jesus’ word was enough.
The centurion knew all about giving orders. He told Jesus about his soldiers. “I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes.” His soldiers listen to him. When he says a word, they do it. And when he tells his servant, “Do this,” he does it.
When the centurion gives an order, his soldiers obey. Can you march like a soldier? Go! Come! Left, right, left, right! Jesus only had to give the order, and the sickness would go! Jesus’ word was enough.
Jesus was amazed. Amazed means very, very surprised. He turned to the people who followed him. He said, “I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.” Faith means trusting God.
Israel was God’s own people. But this Roman soldier trusted Jesus more than anyone! He did not need to see Jesus come. He trusted Jesus’ word. Can you say what the centurion said? “Just say the word!”
Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.” So the centurion went his way.
And in that very hour the servant was healed! He could move again. No more pain at all! Jesus’ word was enough.
At home, the servant was well again, just as Jesus said. Can you stretch your arms and legs, like the servant who could move again? Up and moving, strong and well!
Jesus did not even go to the house. He only said the word. God’s power was in his word. Jesus can help from near or from far. Jesus’ word was enough.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think the centurion did not want Jesus to come to his house?
- How do you think the servant felt when he was suddenly well?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” — Matthew 8:8 (Just say the word → hand by your mouth; and my servant will be healed → hug yourself and smile)
Dear Jesus, thank you that your word is so strong. Thank you that you care for people who are sick. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Big Faith Trusts Jesus
Memory verse: “Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed." His servant was healed in that hour.” — Matthew 8:13 · WEB
The Bible story
A Roman soldier comes to Jesus asking for help for his servant, and shows everyone what it truly means to trust with all your heart.
Talk about it
- What was the soldier in the story called? — A centurion
- In which town did the centurion live? — Capernaum
- What was wrong with the centurion's servant? — He was paralyzed
- Who did the centurion say obeyed his orders? — His soldiers
- Who did the centurion go to for help? — Jesus
- What did Jesus first offer to do? — Come and heal him
Where is Jesus in this story?
This story shows us that Jesus has gentle power over everything, even sickness far away. He did not need to touch the servant or even see him. Just His loving word was enough to make things right. This is the same Jesus who came to rescue all of us with His love. When we bring Him our worries, we can trust that He hears every prayer and cares for each person, no matter who they are or where they live.
What God wants to tell us
The centurion could not see how Jesus would help, but he trusted Jesus completely, believing that just one word could make everything better. God shows us here that faith is not about being the most important person or having everything figured out. It is about trusting that Jesus hears us and cares. No matter how far away our worries feel, Jesus is always close enough to help, and we can bring Him anything with a hopeful, trusting heart.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You that I can trust You with anything, even the things I am worried about. Please help me have a big, brave faith like the centurion. Thank You that You always hear me and love me. I believe You care for me and the people I love. Amen.
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