Leader Guide: Seeing, Although Blind

Anchor Passage: Matthew 20:29-34

As they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, 'Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!' The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, but they cried out all the more, 'Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!' And stopping, Jesus called them and said, 'What do you want me to do for you?' They said to him, 'Lord, let our eyes be opened.' And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.

Theological Framing for Leaders: This passage reveals Jesus as the promised Messiah — the Son of David — who has divine authority to heal and to grant spiritual sight. The sermon emphasized that the physically seeing crowd was spiritually blind, while the physically blind men saw Jesus' true identity and cried out for mercy. The central gospel call is that Jesus offers the mercy of spiritual sight to all who trust in Him, not because we deserve it, but by grace alone through faith alone. Guard against moralism: the goal is not merely to be kind to disabled people, but to recognize our own spiritual blindness and run to Christ for mercy.

## 1. The Cry for Help Question: When the two blind men heard Jesus was coming, they shouted, 'Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!' Why do you think they called Jesus 'Son of David'?

Expected Answers: They believed Jesus was the promised Messiah and King. They knew He had the power and the mercy to heal them.

Redirect Language: If a child says it was just because Jesus was famous or nice, ask: 'What does Son of David mean? Who were they expecting the Son of David to be?' Point them to the sermon's emphasis on Jesus' messianic authority.

Time Estimate: 2–3 minutes

## 2. The Crowd vs. The Blind Men Question: The crowd had physical eyesight, but they told the blind men to be quiet. How was the crowd actually more 'blind' than the two men sitting by the road?

Expected Answers: The crowd could see with their eyes, but they did not understand who Jesus was or have faith in Him. The blind men could not see, yet they saw Jesus' true identity and trusted Him.

Redirect Language: If children focus only on the crowd being rude, ask: 'What did the blind men believe about Jesus that the crowd missed?' Connect this to the sermon's point about spiritual blindness.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

## 3. Hard Things and God's Glory Question: Jesus' disciples once saw a different blind man and asked if he was blind because of his sin. Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned... but that the works of God might be displayed in him' (John 9:1-3). What does this teach us when we face hard things or see others struggling?

Expected Answers: We should not assume that every problem is caused by someone's sin. God can use hard situations to show His power, love, and glory.

Redirect Language: If a child suggests that bad things only happen to bad people, gently correct with Jesus' words from the sermon: bad assumptions about sin causing every problem are wrong. God's glory and mercy are the bigger story.

Time Estimate: 3–4 minutes

## 4. Mercy Instead of What We Deserve Question: The sermon said that because of our sin, we deserve punishment, but Jesus offers mercy. What is the difference between getting what we deserve and getting mercy? Can you think of a time you received mercy?

Expected Answers: Getting what we deserve means receiving a punishment for doing wrong. Mercy means being shown kindness and forgiveness instead. I might have received mercy when a parent or teacher chose grace over a strict consequence.

Redirect Language: If children start listing ways to earn mercy or be good enough, redirect back to the gospel: mercy from Jesus is a free gift, not something we earn by our behavior.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

## 5. Seeing, Although Blind Question: The blind men asked Jesus to open their eyes, and He healed them. The sermon said Jesus can also open spiritually blind eyes. What does it mean to be spiritually blind, and how does trusting Jesus help us 'see'?

Expected Answers: Spiritual blindness means not understanding who Jesus is or not believing in Him. When we trust Jesus, He helps us see the truth about our sin, His mercy, and who He really is.

Redirect Language: If a child says spiritual sight means 'being a good person' or 'going to church,' clarify that spiritual sight is a miracle of grace. It happens when God opens our hearts to believe the gospel, just as Jesus opened the eyes of these men.

Time Estimate: 3 minutes

## Application Prompt This week, when you feel ignored, confused, or like you do not understand God, remember the two blind men. Cry out to Jesus in prayer, asking Him to help you see Him more clearly. Then look for one way to show mercy to someone else — at home, at school, or in your neighborhood — because Jesus first showed mercy to you.