Curriculum
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead
Memory Verse:
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus was fully God and fully human. His friend Lazarus was sick and died. Jesus was present with Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, and wept with them. Then He raised Lazarus from the dead.
Scripture Summary
Jesus was good friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. In Luke 10, Jesus had dinner with them and coached Martha to seek Him first just as Mary had chosen.
Mary and Martha believed Jesus was the Messiah and witnessed His miracles, so it was natural for them to ask Him to come when Lazarus was sick. Even though Jesus was about two miles away from Bethany, He continued preaching for another couple of days as He had planned.
As Jesus reached Mary and Martha’s home, Martha was the one who greeted Him. She had grown in her faith and practiced seeking Jesus first just as He told her. Both Martha and Mary mentioned to Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died.
If Jesus had been present, He could have healed Lazarus and prevented his death. Even though Lazarus died in order for Jesus’ power over death to be displayed, He was deeply moved by their mourning. Jesus saw, knew, and entered into grief right along with His friends.
And then, Jesus performed a miracle. He began, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” Jesus thanked God for hearing Him and pointed others to God. Jesus then called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead.
Why Is This Important
We all experience really hard circumstances. The end result might be a miracle or it might be a significant turn in our own journey. Either way Jesus sees, knows, and enters into our grief with us.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
When Circumstances Contradict What Jesus Has Said
“When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’” John 11:4
This is such a familiar passage of Scripture. Most believers can recite the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. I thought I could, too. Though I had the timeline all wrong.
Jesus was great friends with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Just as Mary and Martha had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, you and I have seen plenty of miraculous happenings in our own lives. Take just a moment to name one significant thing Jesus has done in your life.
I would have recited the story as: Lazarus got sick, Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, Lazarus died, Jesus said “it would not end in death,” and Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. However, that’s not how it went.
Yes, Lazarus got sick, and Mary and Martha sent for Jesus. Jesus said, “It would not end in death,” and then Lazarus died. Can we pause here a moment? Jesus said one thing, and then the circumstances contradicted Jesus. What do I do when my circumstances contradict what Jesus has said? Do I worry, cry out, and try to solve my circumstances? Unfortunately, yes.
Though I wonder how we can learn from Mary and Martha. They continued to believe in Jesus and His power. They, no doubt, relied on the other miracles they had seen Him perform to give them hope. Think back to that time where Jesus did something significant in your life. Is there a current situation where your circumstances are contradicting what Jesus has said? Ponder how Jesus’ miracle in your own life can give you hope for today’s circumstance.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for seeing me and my pain. I know You have a plan even in the smallest of circumstances. Please help me trust You and what You will do today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“Jesus wept.” John 11:35
SAY: Today’s Bible verse is the shortest verse in the Bible. And it’s a good one to remember because it helps us know that Jesus weeps with His children. It’s so easy to learn that we’ll just say it together.
Lead children in saying the verse multiple times: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35
AFTERWARD, ASK:
- What do you think about Jesus crying?
- How does it make you feel to know that Jesus weeps with His children?
SAY: I’m so glad to know that Jesus cares about me when I am sad. And He cares about you too when you are sad. I’m glad that Jesus weeps with His children.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: “Jesus Raises Lazarus” coloring page for each child, Roll of gauze bandages, torn into strips, Glue sticks, Crayons
Summarize what happened in the Bible lesson today.
Give each child a “Jesus Raises Lazarus” coloring page and have children follow these steps:
- Color the picture.
- Glue bandages to Lazarus.
- Draw tears coming from Jesus’ eyes.
When children are finished with their pictures, SAY: I’m so glad that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It’s good to remember that no matter what happens in our lives today, Jesus cares and He weeps with His children.
Snack
Lazarus Wrap Snack
You’ll Need: Keebler E.L. Fudge Cookies, Fruit By the Foot fruit snacks, Paper plates, Napkins
Help children follow these steps to make their Lazarus Wrap Snacks.
- Use an E.L. Fudge Cookie as Lazarus.
- Wrap the cookie with an entire Fruit By the Foot fruit snack.
- Enjoy.
Game
Unwrapping Lazarus Game
You’ll Need: Equal amounts of cloth strips for every four kids (enough to wrap up a person). You can use an old sheet perhaps.
Form teams of four. Give each team an equal amount of cloth strips. Have each team do the following:
- Choose one person to be Lazarus.
- On “go,” the rest of the team races to wrap Lazarus in ALL their team’s cloth strips.
Declare the winning team. Then have kids do the following:
- On “go,” unwrap Lazarus with the rule below.
- Remove all the layers by unwinding them.
Declare the winning team. Then lead children in this discussion:
- Since Lazarus had been dead for days, what do you think he smelled and looked like?
- What do you think Lazarus did first when they got him unwrapped?
SAY: It’s interesting that after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He told the friends to unwrap him. Let’s look for ways that we can help our friends this week, too.
Craft
Jar of Tears Craft
You’ll Need: Bible, Small bottles, Metallic confetti, A “Jar of Tears” tag for each child, Scissors, Hole punch, Thin ribbon
Get Ready: Photocopy and cut apart the tags from the “Jar of Tears” handout so each child has a tag.
Read aloud Psalm 56:8.
Then help children follow these steps to make a “Jar of Tears.”
- Fill your jar with confetti to represent tears.
- Put the stopper in the bottle.
- Punch a hole in the “Jar of Tears” tag.
- Thread ribbon through the tag and tie it onto your bottle.
SAY: Take this home to remind you that Jesus weeps with His children. And He loves you so much that He keeps your tears in a bottle because your tears are precious to Him.
Prayer
All My Tears Prayer
Share something that you’ve been sad about recently. Then encourage children to take turns sharing something they’ve been sad about recently.
After each child shares, stop and SAY, “I’m sorry you’re sad about that. Let’s pray. God, thank You that You care about (name of child). Please help (child’s name) to ___.”
After the prayer, encourage children to talk to God any time they’re sad.
