Week 44 · about 45 minutes
Lazarus, Come Out
John 11 · Memory verse John 11:25
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Queues the lesson plan, a coloring page from this part of the Bible (The Stone Rolled Away), the related word search and answer key (Miracles of Jesus), the memory-verse tracer, and a parent slip.
Five-minute object lesson
Prop: a white sheet
Hold up a white sheet. In about five minutes, tell the class this: Jesus weeps with Mary and Martha, then calls Lazarus back to life. Show the prop and ask, “What does this have to do with Lazarus, Come Out?” Let two children answer. Then read John 11:25 together: “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” Close by asking one child to say the lesson back in their own words, using the prop.
Story script
Lazarus of Bethany was sick. His sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus loved that family. He did not rush in the way they expected. Lazarus died. When Jesus finally came, Martha went out to meet him. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She still said, “I believe you are the Messiah.”
Mary fell at his feet with the same ache. Jesus saw her weeping, and the people weeping, and he was deeply moved. Jesus wept. The shortest sentence and one of the kindest: God in flesh cried beside a grave.
Then he went to the tomb and said, “Lazarus, come out.” The dead man came out, still wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Mourning turned into unwrapping.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He does not scold grief. He weeps, and he is stronger than death. When your family is sad, you can cry and still hold his name. He is life.
Group game
Lazarus sits under the sheet. Friends weep. Jesus calls his name and says come out. The child stands and friends unwrap the sheet.
Craft
Draw the tomb and Jesus calling. Write Lazarus, come out.
Memory verse
John 11:25
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.”
Take-home prayer
Jesus, you are the resurrection and the life. Thank you for weeping with sad people and for being stronger than death. Amen.