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John 5 – Sabbath Freedom
Story Walkthrough
Healing Pool – water & angel > Jesus and his disciples went to Jerusalem to attend a festival. They visited the famous Bethesda pool where Jews believed angels from heaven came down to touch the water, and the first sick person to touch the blessed waters would be healed.
Drawings: Bethesda was famous in Israel for having a healing pool (water) touched by heavenly angels (shining angel).
Simple Question – sick man, mat, Jesus > Jesus found a man sitting on a mat who had been sick for almost 40 years. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed. The man made excuses for himself, complaining that someone else always got to the blessed waters before him.
Drawings: Jesus (man & cross) asked a lame man (kneeling man) if he wanted to get well told him to pick up his mat (mat) and walk.
Sabbath Miracle – walking man & mat > Jesus told him to stand up, pick up his mat, and walk. The man instantly obeyed; Jesus healed him! However, Jesus healed him on the Sabbath Day, and no Jew was allowed to carry anything on this sacred day of rest.
Drawings: The man picked up his mat (mat) and walked (walking man), he believed (faith) in Jesus the Healer.
Changing Rules – leader, Jesus, crown, staff > The local leaders were furious and rebuked the man for breaking Sabbath Day rules. The man responded that Jesus commanded him to carry his mat. Jesus found the man and told him to stop sinning against God and enjoy his new life of freedom from sickness with gratitude and a heart of worship.
Drawings: The Pharisees (upset leader) were furious because Jesus healed on the sabbath. Jesus (man & cross) showed he was the True Guide (shepherd staff) to understanding God’s kingdom (crown).
Four Basic Questions >
- PERSPECTIVE > Look at this story from the perspective of each person IN the story.
- CORE MEANING > What is the most important lesson to take away from this story?
- OTHER SCRIPTURES > What other Scriptures does this story remind me of?
- DON’T BE SILENT > What is the most MEMORABLE part of this story? What STICKS with me in this story that will SPARK CURIOSITY in others to LISTEN to this story?
Deeper Discipleship Questions
- Read Exodus 35:1-3. Why were the Jewish leaders angry that Jesus healed on the Sabbath Day? (John 5:10)
- The man had been sick for 38 years. Why did Jesus ask him if he wanted to be healed?
- Why do you think Jesus only engaged with the healed man, avoiding direct contact with the local priests? (John 5:13)
- John’s Gospel is famous for the Seven Signs proving Jesus was the Promised Messiah. This story is the third sign. How does this story prove Jesus is Israel’s Savior? (Isaiah 61:1)
- Compare the attitudes of the healed men in two stories: this lame man in John 5 and the blind man in Luke 18:35:43. What’s the same? What’s different?
- How do you think you would respond to a miraculous healing if you had been sick for many years?
- Jesus changed the original rule about working on the sabbath rest day. How does his change of the sabbath day command still impact us today in our culture? (Previously, Jews couldn’t do ANY work on one full day EVERY week.)
What discipleship questions would YOU ask about this Bible story?
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John 3 – Jesus’ Invitation
Story Outline
God’s Ambassador (1-3) – king, cloud, Jesus > Jesus is God’s ambassador to humanity. God sent Jesus to teach us how to enter his eternal kingdom in heaven.
Drawings: God (king & cloud) sent Jesus (man & cross) as his personal ambassador to rescue all the nations.
Holy Spirit (4-8) – water, dove, flame > Jesus said that we must receive God’s Holy Spirit to be saved. We must die to our old life and be reborn into a new life.
Drawings: We must die to our old life (water) and be reborn into a new life by the Holy Spirit (dove & flame).
Savior’s Glory (9-17) – shining cross, Jesus, crown > Jesus said the ultimate sign of God’s love is God’s sacrifice of his Only Son to save the world. Because Jesus was willing to be sacrificed, God gave him glory.
Drawings: The Great Mystery: God (crown) saved the world through Jesus’ sacrifice (Jesus & shining cross).
Humanity’s Light (18-21) – earth, shining cross, stars > Jesus said those who hate God will choose to live in darkness. Those who love God will believe in Jesus.
Drawings: Jesus is Savior of the World (shining cross). All nations must choose what to believe (earth & stars).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Luke 24 – Jesus’ Ascension
Story Outline
Scared Disciples (36-43) – shining king & disciple > Jesus visited the disciples. They thought he was a ghost. He ate some of their food to prove he was real.
Drawings: Jesus (shining king) appeared to the disciples. Some doubted him (man covering face).
Messiah Prophecies (44-46) – cross, empty tomb, cloud > Jesus explained to them how he just fulfilled all the ancient prophetic signs of the Messiah’s ministry.
Drawings: Ancient prophecies (cloud) foretold that the Messiah would die (cross) and rise again (empty tomb).
Global Mission (47-48) – earth, shining flag, stars > Jesus commissioned them to go to all the nations and share this Good News of repentance and forgiveness.
Drawings: Jesus sent the disciples out as missionaries (shining flag) to reach all the nations (earth & stars).
Temporary Farewell (49-53) – king, cloud, dove, flame > Jesus told them to wait until they received the Holy Spirit. Then, he blessed them and returned to heaven.
Drawings: Jesus (king) promised to send the Holy Spirit (dove & flame) and returned to heaven (cloud).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Luke 24 – Jesus’ Resurrection
Story Outline
Empty Tomb (1-12) – open tomb > The women visited Jesus’ tomb and found it empty. Angels appeared to them and declared that Jesus was risen from the dead!
Drawings: The women discovered that Jesus’ body was gone when they went to his grave (empty tomb).
Immanuel Road (13-27) – road, king, staff, disciple, faith > Jesus appeared to two disciples on a road. He did not yet reveal to them who he was. He explained how these recent events fulfilled ancient prophecies.
Drawings: Jesus (king & staff) walked with two disciples (man & faith) as they traveled home (road).
Risen Lord (28-31) – king, flag, table, bread, cup > They invited him to dinner. Jesus blessed their meal and allowed them to recognize him. Then, he disappeared!
Drawings: Jesus (king) shared a meal (table, bread, cup) with the disciples and blessed them (flag).
Blazing Hearts (32-35) – heart, crown, flame > The disciples discussed Jesus’ recent appearances. They said their hearts burned when Jesus spoke with them.
Drawings: The men’s hearts burned (heart & flames) as Jesus (crown) explained his fulfillment of prophecies.
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Luke 23 – Jesus’ Death
Story Outline
Three Crosses (32-38) – crosses > Jesus was crucified between two criminals. He forgave those who tortured him. A sign over Jesus’ head read, “King of the Jews.”
Drawings: Jesus was crucified (big cross) between two criminals (smaller crosses).
Innocent Savior (39-43) – shining city & cloud > One criminal mocked Jesus. The other one believed in him. Jesus told the faithful man that he would go to heaven.
Drawings: Jesus told the criminal who believed in him that he would go to heaven (shining city & cloud).
Last Breath (44-49) – cross, crown, Jesus shouts > Jesus cried out to God and died. A nearby Roman officer believed in Jesus. Jesus’ followers grieved.
Drawings: Jesus (shouting man) cried out on the cross (cross). Jesus was named, “King of the Jews” (crown).
Grieving Disciples (50-56) – tears, woman, fragrant oil > Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’ body and buried him. Some women prepared special burial spices & creams.
Drawings: Jesus’ followers wept (woman & tears). They made spices & salves (fragrant oil) for his body.
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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John 18 – Jesus’ Trials
Story Outline
Suffering Cup (18:1-11) – king, cup, cross, Jesus, faith > Jesus allowed himself to be arrested by the guards. Jesus embraced God’s plan for his suffering & death.
Drawings: Jesus (kneeling man & faith) surrendered to God’s will (king) to suffer and die for sins (cup & cross).
Secret Trial (18:12-24) – snake, priest, cross > Israel’s high priest held a secret trial for Jesus at night. He accused Jesus of blasphemy and called for crucifixion.
Drawings: Satan (serpent) was behind the high priest’s decision (man & hat) to have the Messiah killed (cross).
Peter’s Shame (18:15-27) – fence, rooster, sunrise > Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. The rooster crowed at dawn, reminding Peter of Jesus’ prophecy.
Drawings: At dawn (sunrise) the rooster crowed (fence & rooster). Jesus said this would happen (Matt. 26:34).
Condemned Christ (18:28-19:16) – Jesus, chains, flame, king, cross > At Jesus’ public trial the next day, Pilate the Governor condemned Jesus to die by crucifixion.
Drawings: Pilate the Governor (king) condemned Jesus (man, flame, chains) to death (cross).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Matthew 26 – Jesus’ Covenant
Story Outline
Passover Dinner (17-20) – table, bread, cup, house, blood > Jesus ate a Passover meal with his disciples: a memorial of Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
Drawings: They went to a house (house) and ate a meal (table, bread, cup) to celebrate Passover (blood).
Judas Betrayer (21-25) – snake, moneybag, Judas > Jesus said one of his disciples would betray him. This betrayal would cause Jesus to die, fulfilling prophecy.
Drawings: One of Jesus’ disciples (man) would betray him (serpent) for money (money bag).
Salvation Promise (26-28) – earth, stars, pouring cup > Jesus shared bread & wine with his disciples: the New Covenant meal. Jesus said his body would be broken and blood poured out to forgive the sins of humanity.
Drawings: Jesus Messiah’s blood was shed (pouring cup) to save the world from our sins (earth & stars).
Heaven Reunion (29-30) – disciple, flame, king, two cups > Jesus finished the meal, saying he would not drink wine with them again until they were in heaven.
Drawings: Jesus (king) would drink wine again (two cups) with his disciples (man & flame) in heaven.
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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John 11 – Resurrection Life
Story Outline
Lazarus Dies (1-16) – tomb, grieving woman, tears > Jesus’ friend Lazarus became sick and died. Jesus went to visit his family. His sisters were deep in grief.
Drawings: Lazarus’ sisters (woman) grieved (tears) over his death (closed tomb).
Jesus Messiah (17-27) – king, cloud, crown, Jesus > Jesus told Martha her brother would rise again. Jesus said that anyone who believes in him will live forever.
Drawings: Jesus (man & cross) has authority (crown) from God (king & cloud) to grant us eternal life.
Death’s Sorrow (28-37) – Jesus crying & tears > Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb and wept. Nearby mourners saw how much Jesus loved and missed his friend.
Drawings: Jesus (kneeling man & cross) went to Lazarus’ tomb and grieved over his death (tears).
God’s Glory (38-44) – empty tomb, man, flame, branch > Jesus told some men to open the tomb. Then, Jesus called out to Lazarus and raised him up from the dead!
Drawings: Jesus resurrected Lazarus (man, flame, branch). Lazarus came out of his grave (empty tomb).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Mark 5 – Evil Spirits
Story Outline
Possessed Man (1-5) – man & broken chains > Jesus and his disciples met a man possessed by demons. He lived in caves & cut himself. He was abnormally strong.
Drawings: A demon-possessed man (shouting man) was wild and had great power (broken chains).
Scared Demons (6-10) – serpent & Jesus > The man bowed at Jesus’ feet. The demons inside spoke to Jesus. They begged Jesus not to send them away.
Drawings: Jesus (man & cross) met the man and spoke with the demons (snake) living inside of him.
Shocking Slaughter (11-15) – underwater pig > Jesus cast them into a herd of 2,000 pigs. All the pigs rushed down the hillside and drowned. The herdsmen fled.
Drawings: Jesus cast the demons into a herd of pigs (pig). They rushed down a hill and drowned (water).
Sent Witness (16-20) – man, faith, flag, road, town > The man was now free and sane. A crowd gathered and asked Jesus to leave. The man tried to follow Jesus. Instead, Jesus sent him to tell his story in ten towns.
Drawings: Jesus sent the delivered man (man & faith) to tell his story (flag) in ten towns (road & town).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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Mark 4 – Powerful Storm
Story Outline
Lake Crossing (35-36) – water, boat, Jesus > Jesus was teaching the crowds from a boat. When evening came, the disciples decided to sail across the lake.
Drawings: Jesus (man & cross) was teaching the crowds from a boat on the lakeshore (boat & water).
Wind & Waves (37) – water, wave, wind > A fierce storm arrived. The large waves began to flood their sailboat.
Drawings: A powerful storm arrived (wind & waves).
Scared Disciples (38) – water, boat, man > Jesus was asleep during the storm. The disciples were afraid of drowning. They awoke Jesus and asked him to help.
Drawings: The disciples were afraid of dying (water, capsized boat, drowned man).
Storm Lord (39-41) – king, wind, wave, storm cloud > Jesus rebuked the storm, and there was instant calm. Jesus asked his disciples why they didn’t believe in him. The disciples were afraid of Jesus’ great power.
Drawings: Jesus (king) showed his authority from God to command the weather (waves, wind, storm cloud).
Discipleship Activities
- Worship > Praise God for who he is and what he has done.
- Pray > Pray for yourself, family, friends, enemies, and all nations.
- Listen > Listen to the story.
- Draw > Draw the story.
- Practice > Use the drawings to tell the story in your own words.
- Create > Create your own drawings/illustrations for the story.
- Discuss > Discuss the meaning of this story with a friend or group.
- Learn > Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. What does he want you to learn?
- Share > Ask the Holy Spirit if there’s anyone you know who needs to hear this story.
- Abide > Rest in the Holy Spirit, enjoy his friendship, and listen to his voice.
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