Big Idea: I can ask Jesus for help.
Bible Basis: John 11:1-44
Key Verse: “[God] (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
Who do you think made Lazarus come back to life? Why do you think that?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Let's Wrap
- Supplies: tiolet paper
- Directions: Choose a child to be “Lazarus.” Help the other children wrap Lazarus in toilet paper, then have Lazarus lie down on the floor. Have the other children count to 3, then shout, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus must then stand up and tear off the toilet paper. Continue playing until all of the children have had a turn being Lazarus.
- Say: Today’s true Bible story is all about a man named Lazarus. He wasn’t wrapped in toilet paper, though, he was wrapped in strips of burial cloth. That’s because Lazarus was dead. But he didn’t stay dead. We’re going to find out why in just a little bit and we’re going to learn that we can ask Jesus for help.
- Question: Who do you think made Lazarus come back to life? Why do you think that?
+ Out of the Tomb
- Supplies: Bed sheet or blanket
- Say: In our Bible story for today, Lazarus was dead and buried in a tomb, but then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” Right then, Lazarus came back to life. Let’s play a game that helps us remember that story.
- Directions: Tell the children they are going to take turns pretending to be Lazarus in the tomb. Choose a child to go first. Have them sit or lie on the floor, then cover them with the sheet. On the count of 3, have the other children shout, “Lazarus, come out!” Upon hearing the words, Lazarus must stand up and throw the sheet off. When the child emerges, ask them the question below. Continue playing until all of the children have had a turn being Lazarus.
- Question: Why do you think Jesus is so special
+ Gotcha (Application Activity)
Supplies: None
Directions: Have the children lay on the floor and pretend to be Lazarus in the tomb. If you shout, “Lazarus, come out!” the children must race to jump up and shout, “I can ask Jesus for help!” If you yell anything else, the children must stay still and shouldn’t move a muscle. If any children move when they’re not supposed to, say to them “Gotcha!” To make it more challenging, shout things that sound similar to “Lazarus, come out!” See the list below for examples. Alternate between saying the right words and the wrong words.
- Lazarus, let’s shout!
- Cornelius, come out!
- Lazarus, eat trout!
- Lazarus, no doubt!
- Lazarus, bean sprout!
- Alexis, come out!
- Lazarus, don’t pout!
- Lazarus, look out!
- Say: In our story for today, Lazarus wasn’t just asleep, he was dead. But when Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” he came back to life and hopped to his feet. Jesus helped Lazarus and He can help us too.
- Question: Jesus can do anything! How do you think Jesus could help you with His power?
+ Lava Leapers (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Rope or yarn (2 pieces per group)
- Today's Bible Verse: God (point up) is always there to help us (clasp your hands together) in times of trouble (rock like you’re on a stormy sea).” Psalm 46:1 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, lay the two pieces of rope on the floor parallel to one another with about 6 inches in-between. Tell the children to imagine the space between the ropes is a river of hot lava. Have the children line up along one side of the lava. As a group, recite the verse together, then leap over the lava. If the children land in the lava, they can pretend to sink into it. Next, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so the river is wider, then repeat. Keep moving the rope 6 inches each time until the children can no longer jump across. If time and interest allow, play again from the beginning.
+ Wiggle Freeze (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Tell the children that when you say, “Wiggle,” they can move and wiggle in whatever way they want, but when you say, “Freeze,” they have to stop and remain totally still until someone is caught moving. Begin by repeatedly saying “Wiggle” for as long as you would like, then say “Freeze!” The children will freeze in place. Watch closely to see which child moves first. Whichever child moves first, ask that child what happened first in today’s Bible story. (They don’t have to tell the whole story, just the first part.) If necessary, allow the other children to help. When finished, begin saying “Wiggle” again and repeat the above instructions. For each additional round, ask the child who moves first to tell what happened next in the story. Continue playing until the whole story has been told.
+ Pray for the Sick (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of a sick person. While the children are drawing, ask them if they know someone who is sick.
- Say: Jesus is so, so powerful. He helped Lazarus get better and He can help us get better too. Whenever you or someone you know is sick, you can pray to Jesus and ask Him to help that person get better. In fact, let’s do that right now.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by asking Jesus to help the sick people that the children talked about.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: What do you think it was like for Lazarus to be dead, then alive again?
- Question: What was your favorite part of today’s story? Why was that your favorite?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, You are so, so amazing! You can do anything! You helped Lazarus. And you can help me too. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in the Bible in John 11:1-44 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!