Use these Bible Craft ideas in your Sunday School when teaching about John 9:1-42 where Jesus heals the man born blind. You can download and print the directions below, watch the demonstration video, then gather your supplies.
Cleansed and Renewed…Open Your Eyes!
Craft Ideas for Jesus Healing a Blind Man
There are many wonderful miracles in the life of Christ. One of the healings that memorably stands out is the blind man who received sight after the application of a homemade mud mask. There is something deeper in this story, though. Jesus healed the man’s vision, but there were others watching who refused to “see” what happened. God wants us to look not only with our eyes, but with our hearts. This means we are to pay attention to those around us, as well as to God’s work in our lives. We trust God’s power and presence, in the Bible and in our lives today. Here are some fun crafts to accompany the story.
Bible Verses or Craft Captions to Consider…
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes… -Psalm 19:8
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them. –Isaiah 42:16
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
“I will keep my eyes open to see God’s work around me!”
“The eyes of my heart are on the Lord.”
“Lord, reveal your purpose and people to my eyes.”
“No longer blind…God works amazing miracles in my heart!”
More Teaching Ideas on the Man Born Blind
Craft one: “Open your eyes puppet”
You will need:
- Paper plate, bag, or cup
- Scissors
- Google eyes
- Markers or decorating materials
- Glue and/or tape
- Popsicle sticks
Procedure:
- Decorate a paper plate, cup, or bag, whatever you prefer to make your puppet.
- Create a face, making one side of the plate “blind” with closed eyes.
- On the other side of the plate (or cup or inside the flap of the bag), glue or draw eyes, making the man able to “see” again. Alternatively, you can place just one face on the paper item, and apply a blindfold or “mud pack” that is lifted.
- Glue a stick to one side of the plate or cup, if you’d like to hold the puppet up.
- Attach a verse or caption, and use the puppet to act out the story!
Craft Two: “The Eyes of the Heart”
You will need:
- Paper, paper plates, or cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue
- Google eyes
- Decorative materials (markers, fabric paint)
Procedure:
1. Cut the paper or paper plate into a heart shape.
2. Decorate the heart, adding a verse or caption as well as pictures.
3. Glue eyes onto the heart, using just a pair or several eyes.
4. Hang to display, if desired, as a reminder of the story and theme.
Craft Three: “Invisible images”
You will need:
- Paper
- Crayons, including some light colors
- Watercolor paints and brushes
- Water and clean-up materials
Procedure:
- Draw a picture or write a message on the paper using crayons. White or light colors are especially recommended. It will be difficult to see, but worth it in the end!
- Press hard with the crayons for best results.
- Using the watercolors, paint over the crayon picture.
- Watch as the white crayons are revealed and the picture “comes to life”!