Healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law 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 took her by the hand.”
It was the day of rest. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. A synagogue is a house where people met to learn about God. Jesus taught with power, and the people were amazed.
When they came out, Jesus went to the house of Simon Peter and Andrew. James and John came too. They walked to the house together. Let’s count them: Simon, Andrew, James, John – four friends!
But someone in the house was sick. It was Simon’s wife’s mother. Simon was married. His wife’s mother is called his mother-in-law. She was lying in bed with a fever. She could not get up. A fever makes you very hot and tired.
Right away they told Jesus about her. Maybe they hoped Jesus would help. Jesus saw her lying there.
Jesus came to her. Jesus took her by the hand. He raised her up. He helped her to get up.
And the fever left her right away! Can you put your hand on your forehead? Not hot anymore! Cool and well! All gone!
She got up and served them. To serve means to help and take care of guests. Maybe she brought them food and drink. She was well again. Right away she was strong enough to work! Jesus took her by the hand.
On the day of rest, people did not carry things. Maybe that is why they waited until evening. The day of rest ended when the sun went down. Down, down, down it went. Can you let your arms sink slowly, like the sun going down?
That evening, when the sun had set, people came to the house. They brought all who were sick. Some walked. Some were carried by friends. The whole town was gathered at the door! So many people!
One by one, Jesus put his hands on them. Jesus healed many who were sick. He was so kind to them all. Long before, the prophet Isaiah had said it: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Infirmities means weak and sick bodies. Jesus carried our sicknesses away. Jesus took her by the hand.
Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up. It was very, very early. He went out to a quiet place. And he prayed there. He wanted to be alone with God, his Father. Can you fold your hands and be quiet, like Jesus?
Simon and the others looked for him. They looked everywhere. They found him. “Everyone is looking for you,” they said.
Jesus answered them. “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also.” To preach means to tell people about God. That is why Jesus had come.
So Jesus went all around Galilee. He went to many towns, big and small. He taught in their synagogues. He told people the good news about God.
Jesus came to help the sick and to tell everyone about God. He has kind hands, and he cares for the sick. Jesus took her by the hand.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Simon’s mother-in-law felt when Jesus took her hand?
- What do you think the people at the door said to Jesus?
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)
Color the 4 friends who came with Jesus: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. Color the 1 house too.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He came and took her by the hand and raised her up.” — Mark 1:31 (took her by the hand → hold a friend’s hand; and raised her up → stand up together)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you help people who are sick. Please be with everyone who is sick today. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus Cares About You
Memory verse: “He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them.” — Mark 1:31 · WEB
The Bible story
When Jesus visits Peter's home, Peter's mother-in-law lies burning with fever, until one gentle touch of His hand chases the sickness clean away.
Talk about it
- What special day was it when Jesus left the synagogue? — The Sabbath
- In which town was Peter's house? — Capernaum
- Which two friends went with Jesus to Simon and Andrew's house? — James and John
- Who was lying sick inside the house? — Peter's mother-in-law
- What was making her sick? — A fever
- What did they do when Jesus arrived? — They told Him about her
Where is Jesus in this story?
Matthew tells this same story and then says what happened that evening fulfilled Isaiah's words: “He took our sicknesses and carried our diseases” (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4). Isaiah was describing God's suffering servant. Healing a feverish woman with a touch was a small picture of the bigger healing Jesus brings by carrying our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
What God wants to tell us
Jesus was never too busy or too important to notice one sick woman. He stopped, He came close, and He helped her stand. God cares about the big things and the small things in your life too. When you feel sad, sick or worried, you can always ask Jesus for help, because His loving hand reaches right to where you are.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You that You are strong and gentle and kind. Thank You that Jesus can make sick people well again. When I am sick or sad, please hold my hand like You held hers, and fill me with Your peace. Help me to say thank You by being kind to others. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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