Mark 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
A man named John lived far away. Out in the desert. His clothes were made of camel hair, scratchy and rough. He ate locusts and honey. Yum, honey. Crunchy, locusts.
John called out loud. "Someone big is coming! Bigger than me!" People came from everywhere to hear him. They stood in the river Jordan. Splash, splash. John poured water on them there.
One day, Jesus came too. He walked into the water. John poured water on him. And then, look up! The sky opened wide. A dove came down, soft and gentle, right onto Jesus. A voice boomed from heaven. "You are my Son. I love you so much."
What Does This Mean?
After that, Jesus walked by the sea. Blue water, sparkling in the sun. He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew. They were throwing a big net into the water. Fishermen.
"Come with me," said Jesus. "I will make you fishers of people." Just like that, they dropped their nets. They followed him. Right away.
Jesus went into towns. He taught in a synagogue. Everyone was amazed. He spoke like he had real power.
Then something scary happened. A man cried out loudly. Something bad was inside him. Jesus said, "Be quiet! Come out!" And it left. Just like that. Everyone gasped.
The Common Thread
Jesus was busy that day. So busy. Simon's mother was sick in bed, hot with fever. Jesus took her hand. He lifted her up. The fever was gone. Just gone.
When the sun went down, more people came. Sick people. Sad people. So many, they filled the whole street outside the door. Jesus touched them. He made them better, one by one.
Early the next morning, before the sun woke up, Jesus went outside alone. It was dark and quiet. He prayed there, talking to his Father.
Then a man came to Jesus. A sick man, covered in sores. Nobody wanted to touch him. But he knelt down. "If you want to, you can make me clean," he said.
Jesus felt for him. Deep inside. He reached out his hand. He touched the man. Nobody touched him, but Jesus did.
"I want to," Jesus said. "Be clean."
And right away, the sores were gone. His skin was soft and new.
For You
Jesus touches the people nobody else will touch. He heals the sick. He talks to his Father, even early in the dark morning. He says yes to the ones who ask him.
Talk About It
Which part of the story would you like to watch happen, if you were standing right there?
Jesus touched the man nobody touched. Who could you be kind to today?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus, thank you for touching sick people. Thank you for saying yes. I love you. Amen.
Questions about Mark 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Mark 1 about?
What does Mark 1 say?
What does Mark 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Mark 1?
Why is Mark 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
I have learnt from the book of Mark,that GOD\'S character towards us is that of love,He loved me so much that he sent his son Jesus Christ to die and to redeem me from sin, and has given me salvation freely.That is the good news I have about Jesus Christ and to tell this good news to the lost souls.
Immediately they left their nets, and followed him." No hesitation, no bargaining, no asking where they would sleep that night. The nets were their livelihood, their identity, the very thing their hands knew best. And they simply dropped them.
What are you still holding, waiting for a better moment to let go? Jesus rarely calls twice before He walks on. The nets will always feel important until you see who is standing on the shore.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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