Lesson

Blind Bartimaeus Sunday School Lesson for Kids

A free blind Bartimaeus Sunday school lesson (Mark 10:46–52) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, Bible story, questions and a take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Blind Bartimaeus Sunday School Lesson for Kids

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: Mark 10:46–52
Bible story: Blind Bartimaeus

What you need

A Bible (mark Mark 10:47 and Mark 10:52)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
6 paper strips, a marker and tape (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
A basket of bright, colorful things and a cloth to cover it (preschool)
Masking tape to make a "highway" on the floor (kindergarten to 2nd grade)
A whiteboard or large paper and a marker (3rd grade and up)
Paper and pencils (preteens)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed blind Bartimaeus word search and crayons for early finishers

This free blind Bartimaeus Sunday school lesson teaches kids to have faith in Jesus and not give up. Blind Bartimaeus sat "by the highway side begging" and cried out, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Mark 10:46–47). When many told him to be quiet, he cried out even louder, and Jesus stood still. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a what-do-you-see color basket, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("thy faith hath made thee whole") with a motion, and a drawing activity.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the Can You Hear Me? game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Follow the Verse memory game along a masking-tape highway, and a Follow in the Way game.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a hear-the-call game, kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story ("Son of David," "he cried the more a great deal," "casting away his garment," "What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?"), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Mark 10:46–52 out loud themselves, then look closer at "Son of David," the question Jesus also asked James and John (Mark 10:36), and the choice to follow Jesus in the way. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Mark 10:52 and Psalm 146:8).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: Mark 10:46–52
Main point: Have faith in Jesus and don't give up. Jesus hears us when we call on Him.
Memory verse: Mark 10:52 (KJV), with Psalm 146:8 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about calling out and being heard.
Bible story: blind Bartimaeus "by the highway side begging" (Mark 10:46), "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (10:47), crying "the more a great deal" (10:48), Jesus standing still (10:49), "casting away his garment, rose" (10:50), "Lord, that I might receive my sight" (10:51), and "thy faith hath made thee whole" (10:52). Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Mark 10:52.
What this means for us: keep calling on Jesus, follow Him, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the blind Bartimaeus craft, a follow-the-leader game, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching blind Bartimaeus

Read Mark 10:52 straight from your Bible. Bartimaeus could go his own way, and he "followed Jesus in the way."
Talk about blindness kindly: Bartimaeus's eyes could not see, it was not his fault, and God loved him. The lessons use no blindfold games.
Mark tells it simply: Jesus asked what he wanted, said "thy faith hath made thee whole," and "immediately he received his sight" (10:51–52). The lessons don't add anything Mark doesn't say.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this blind Bartimaeus lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What is the main point of the story of blind Bartimaeus?

Have faith in Jesus and don't give up. Bartimaeus kept crying out to Jesus even when many told him to be quiet (Mark 10:48). Jesus stood still, called him, and said, "thy faith hath made thee whole." Right away he could see, and he followed Jesus in the way (Mark 10:49–52).

What does "Son of David" mean in the story of Bartimaeus?

God promised that a King would come from King David's family. Jesus was born into David's family line (Matthew 1:1). When Bartimaeus cried, "Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me" (Mark 10:47), he was calling Jesus the promised King.

How do I talk about blindness kindly with kids?

Say it simply: Bartimaeus was blind, which means his eyes could not see. Some people today cannot see, and God loves them just as much. Being blind was not his fault. The lessons never use blindfold games or make fun of anyone, and they focus on Bartimaeus's faith.