For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Jesus teaches that what really matters isn't on the outside — it's what's in our hearts. And then He opens a deaf man's ears.
Today's Story
Some leaders fussed at Jesus because His disciples didn't wash their hands a special religious way before eating. They cared a lot about looking clean on the OUTSIDE.
But Jesus taught them something important. “It's not what goes INTO you that makes you dirty,” He said. “It's what comes OUT of your heart. Mean words, unkind thoughts, lies, selfishness — those come from inside, and those are what really make a mess.” God cares most about our hearts, not just how clean our hands look.
A woman from another country also came to Jesus, begging Him to help her sick daughter. Even though she wasn't from Jesus' own people, Jesus saw her great faith and healed her daughter. Jesus' love is for EVERYONE, from every land.
Then people brought Jesus a man who couldn't hear or speak well. Jesus took him aside, gently touched his ears, looked up to heaven, and said, “Ephphatha!” — which means “Be opened!” Right away, the man could hear, and he could speak clearly! Everyone was amazed: “Jesus does everything well!”
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jesus said what's in our heart matters most. What good things would you like to fill your heart with?
- Jesus healed a woman's daughter even though she was from another country. What does that tell you about who Jesus loves?
- Jesus opened the deaf man's ears. What's something “closed” in your life you'd like Jesus to open?