Mission Briefing
Four Words That Can Change Everything
Imagine you just received the worst news of your life – and then Jesus looks you in the eye and says four words that shift everything: “Do not fear, only believe.” That’s exactly what happened to a desperate father named Jairus! This mission explores Mark 5:36.
What Does Mark 5:36 Mean?
Jairus was an important leader in his synagogue who had come to Jesus begging Him to heal his dying daughter. While Jesus was on the way, a messenger arrived with crushing news: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any more?” In that horrible moment, Jesus stepped in immediately – not with a complicated speech, but with a direct and powerful command: stop being afraid, just keep believing. And then He went with Jairus and raised his daughter back to life. Jesus was saying that faith doesn’t stop working just because things look impossible.
Hero Challenge
Has a situation in your life ever seemed hopeless – like it was “too late” for God to do anything? This week, identify one area where fear has been louder than faith, and practice the four words Jesus gave Jairus: “Do not fear, only believe.” Write them somewhere you’ll see them every day this week.
Did You Know?
The story of Jairus and his daughter is one of the most dramatic miracle stories in the Gospels – and it actually happens at the same time as the healing of another person, a woman who had been sick for twelve years. Jesus was on His way to help Jairus when He stopped to help this woman, which is exactly when the news came that it was “too late.” It was as if Mark wants us to see: even delays in Jesus’s timing are not mistakes. He arrived exactly when He meant to, and death itself was no obstacle.
Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question
Jesus told Jairus not to be scared and to just believe. Can you think of something that scares you that you can ask Jesus to help you with?
Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question
Jairus got really scary news, but Jesus told him to keep believing. Why do you think Jesus said “only believe” – what does it mean to believe when things look impossible?
Ages 10-13: Champion Question
Jesus said “Do not fear, only believe” when the situation seemed completely hopeless. How do fear and faith relate to each other? Can you be fearful and still choose to believe? What does courageous faith look like in a moment when all the facts seem to be working against you?
Ready for more? Meet more Bible heroes for kids at Faith Force.
♥ Mission Prayer
Jesus, You told Jairus to stop fearing and just believe — and I need that same reminder today. Help me to choose faith over fear, even when things look impossible. I believe that nothing is too hard for You, and I trust You with the things that scare me most. Amen.
