John 5 · Grade 4
The Son Gives Life
Read and Think
Jesus went to Jerusalem for a feast. By the pool of Bethesda lay many people who were sick. One man had been unable to walk for thirty-eight years. Jesus knew how long he had suffered. He asked if he wanted to be healed. The man explained he had no one to help him. Jesus simply told him to get up, take up his mat, and walk, and he was healed at once.
It was the Sabbath. Some leaders cared more about their rules than about the man's healing. When they learned Jesus healed him, they began to persecute Jesus. Jesus answered that His Father was working and He was working too. The leaders understood that He was calling God His own Father and making Himself equal with God.
Jesus explained that the Son does what the Father does. As the Father raises the dead and gives life, the Son gives life to whom He wants. Whoever hears Jesus' word and believes the Father has eternal life and has passed from death to life. Jesus said the Scriptures testify about Him. Moses wrote about Him too.
Show What You Know
How long had the man been unable to walk?
Why did the leaders become angry?
What does the Son give, just like the Father?
What happens to whoever hears Jesus' word and believes?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- By the of Bethesda lay many people who were sick.
- One man had been unable to for thirty-eight years.
- Jesus simply told him to get up, take up his , and walk, and he was healed at once.
- It was the .
- Jesus answered that His was working and He was working too.
Think About It
Jesus asked, Do you want to be made well? What do you need Jesus' help with today?
Jesus said the Scriptures tell about Him. How can you look for Jesus when you read the Bible?
Memory Verse
“Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.””
John 5:8 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What would you ask Jesus to make new in you?
- How can you keep people more important than rules?
- How can time in God's Word help you know Jesus?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.