John 11:1-44Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, ʻLord, he whom you love is ill.ʼ But when Jesus heard it, he said, ʻThis illness does not lead to death; rather it is for Godʼs glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.ʼ Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ʻLet us go to Judea again.ʼ The disciples said to him, ʻRabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?ʼ Jesus answered, ʻAre there not

twelve hours of daylight? Those who walk during the day do not stumble, because they see the light of this world. But those who walk at night stumble, because the light is not in them.ʼ After saying this, he told them, ʻOur friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to awaken him.ʼ The disciples said to him, ʻLord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right.ʼ Jesus, however, had been speaking about his death, but they thought that he was referring merely to sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ʻLazarus is dead. For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.ʼ Thomas, who was called the Twin, said to his fellow-disciples, ʻLet us also go, that we may die with him.ʼ

 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, ʻLord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.ʼ Jesus said to her, ʻYour brother will rise again.ʼ Martha said to him, ʻI know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.ʼ Jesus said to her, ʻI am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?ʼ She said to him, ʻYes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.ʼ

 When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, ʻThe Teacher is here and is calling for you.ʼ And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to the tomb to weep there. When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ʻLord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.ʼ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ʻWhere have you laid him?ʼ They said to him, ʻLord, come and see.ʼ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ʻSee how he loved him!ʼ But some of them said, ʻCould not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?ʼ

 Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ʻTake away the stone.ʼ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ʻLord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.ʼ Jesus said to her, ʻDid I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?ʼ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, ʻFather, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.ʼ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ʻLazarus, come out!ʼ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ʻUnbind him, and let him go.ʼ

March 9, 2014Lesson 22: Raising Lazarus

March 9, 2014

The Big Story Truth: Jesus has the power even to give life. Because of Jesus, we need not fear death. We have the promise of life with God- now and forever!

About This Scripture Passage: This passage marks the beginning of the end for Jesus. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus. But the location where they lived, Bethany, was right next door to Jerusalem and

by this point in the story, Jesus was being watched pretty closely by the officials in Jerusalem. At one point in the story as the disciples are trying to urge Jesus not to go, they remind him that he was recently almost stoned there. How could he go back? But Jesus does go. Even worse he makes this statement... “I am the resurrection and the life.” Of all the “I Am” statements that would have caused people to be upset that Jesus was claiming authority that he shouldn’t have, this one takes the cake. As Gail O’Day writes, “The magnitude of this claim

cannot be overstated, because it announces that God’s power of life over death, a central belief of the Old Testament faith, is shared with Jesus.” Jesus makes a bold claim that those who believe in him need not fear death. Jesus’ followers can live their lives in confidence trusting in that relationship and life with God will never end and that Jesus’ word even has the power to give life. Ironically, Lazarus will live again... but as a result of giving life, Jesus will be killed.

Raising LazarusJohn 11:1-44

“I Amthe resurrection

and the life.”

Making the Connection: This story presents an opportunity for us to talk to our kids about death in a context other than the loss of a family member or a pet. This is an opportunity to talk about Jesus’ promise of life with God and resurrection. The age of kids will make a big difference in how much they will understand about death specifically. For the youngest classes it will be enough to focus on God’s promise that nothing will ever be able to separate us from Jesus’ love. For the older kids, this is an opportunity to address real questions about death. The most important part of this conversation will be to help kids name the promise that they have been given, that the life they have been given in Christ is eternal and that nothing will ever be able to take that away from them or their loved ones... not even death.

Where in the World Are We? In the passage just before this one, Jesus left Jerusalem because the religious leaders were so angered by Jesus’ statements that they were ready to stone him. John 10:40 talks about Jesus retreating to Galilee, the place where John was baptizing and where we first heard John’s testimony about who Jesus is. Jesus is traveling back to Judea to the city of Bethany to raise Lazarus. Bethany’s location so close to Jerusalem is what is troubling to the disciples who want to keep him safe.

For Your Reflection:

John’s Gospel reveals that eternal life isn’t something that we wait to start living until after we die. Eternal life begins now in relationship with Jesus and continues even after our physical death. How does knowing this shape how you live right now?

What do you most want your kids to know about life, death, and faith?

Large Group Gathering

Welcome students and families. Give groups 5 minutes of Faith 5 conversation time. Then dismiss adults who need to leave.

Say: We’ve been hearing about how Jesus did some amazing things. He said things that helped people see God in a new way. He taught and he healed. Today we are going to hear a story about how Jesus even raised someone from the dead! It’s good news that Jesus has power even over death! It means that someday Jesus will raise our loved ones and us too! Let’s sing together about telling this good news!

Sing “Get Up, Get Up” from last year’s Athens VBS. If the kids would like to, they could sing this song in church this morning.

Sing any other favorites that you have time for, review the Apostles’ Creed and especially notice the part where we talk about the resurrection of the dead!

Dismiss the kids to their classes.

Family Faith 5March 9, 2014

1. Each person shares their high and low (the best and worst things that happened this week.)

2. Read together this Bible Verse: “I Am the resurrection and the life.”

3. Talk about how the Bible verse relates to your highs and lows.

4. Pray aloud for one another’s highs and lows.

5. Bless one another. Make the sign of the cross on each other’s heads and say these words: _________ , I am so thankful for the life Jesus has given you!

www.faith5.org

PreschoolMaterials Needed:-Spark Story Bible-Blanket(s) to make tents over tables-Toilet Paper (several rolls!)-Peanuts in shells (or alternative snack if anyone has peanut allergies)

Before the Children Arrive:Transform your room into Lazarus’ tomb by throwing one or more large blankets over your classroom table. You may want to have a flashlight on hand in case it is too dark for the kids inside the tomb.

Experiencing the Story:Welcome kids and invite them to sit with you outside the entrance to the tomb. Say: Today we are going to read the story about someone that Jesus loved who died. Do any of you know someone who died? (Be prepared for kids to spend a long time talking about a grandparent or a pet or someone else who has died. It is very important to listen to their stories!) Say: How did it make you feel when your loved one died? (or if a child has become upset telling their story you might say: I can see that thinking about _____ dying has made you very sad.) Do you know what? When Jesus’ friend died he felt very sad too. The Bible tells us that Jesus cried because he was so sad. Let the kids think about that for a second. Even Jesus cried because a friend died!

Say: But actually, this story that we are going to read today has a surprising, happy ending. Let’s read the story together. Read “Lazarus” from the Spark Story Bible (pages 440-443).

Then say: The reason that Jesus came to earth is so that someday all the people that we love will get to come back to life too! Lazarus was the first, but someday we will all get to be together with our loved ones and with God! What an exciting promise Jesus gives us! Our stories will get to be happy endings someday too!

Activity:

Raising Lazarus- Retell the story having each child take turns pretending to be Lazarus. When it is their turn to be Lazarus, wrap the child up in toilet paper and have them lay in the tomb. Then, have the other children yell, “Come Out Lazarus!” When Lazarus comes out, help the child shake off their toilet paper grave clothes while everyone celebrates!

Snack- Give students some peanuts still in their shell. Show the kids how to break open the peanut shell and free the edible part of the peanut from the outer shell like Lazarus being called out of the tomb.(Before serving this snack, be sure that no one in your class has a peanut allergy. Also, watch children carefully as peanuts for very young children can be a choking hazard.)

Early ElementaryMaterials Needed:-Spark Story Bible-Package of Toilet Paper-Class roster of names cut up into strips-Bag or hat-Blankets (to throw over a table to make a tomb)

Before the Children Arrive:Be sure to remind your pastor that you are planning to have the kids help in worship today. Look ahead and the space in the sanctuary and set aside a few chairs or a small table that can be a “tomb” for your dramatization of the story during worship.

Experiencing the Story:Welcome kids and invite them to sit with you outside the entrance to the tomb. Say: Today we are going to read the story about someone that Jesus loved who died. Do any of you know someone who died? (Be prepared for kids to spend a long time talking about a grandparent or a pet or someone else who has died. It is very important to listen to their stories!) Say: How did it make you feel when your loved one died? (or if a child has become upset telling their story you might say: I can see that thinking about _____ dying has made you very sad.) Do you know what? When Jesus’ friend died he felt very sad too. The Bible tells us that Jesus cried because he was so sad. Let the kids think about that for a second. Even Jesus cried because a friend died!

Say: But actually, this story that we are going to read today has a surprising, happy ending. Let’s read the story together. Read “Lazarus” from the Spark Story Bible (pages 440-443).

Then say: The reason that Jesus came to earth is so that someday all the people that we love will get to come back to life too! Lazarus was the first, but someday we will all get to be together with our loved ones and with God! What an exciting promise Jesus gives us! Our stories will get to be happy endings someday too!

Activity:Recreate the scene of Jesus raising Lazarus in your classroom by having children construct a tomb out of blankets thrown over your classroom table. Have kids act out the story having each child take turns pretending to be Lazarus. When it is their turn to be Lazarus, wrap the child up in toilet paper and have them lay in the tomb. Then, have the other children yell, “Come Out Lazarus!” When Lazarus comes out, help the child shake off their toilet paper grave clothes while everyone celebrates!

Your class is invited to act out the story during worship today. If more than one child wants to be Lazarus (or any other particular role in the story) draw names. Make sure each child who wants to gets a part of some kind.

Upper ElementaryMiddle School & High School

Materials Needed:-LOTS of Toilet Paper-Spark NRSV Bibles

Before the Students Arrive:Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, get up have your morning coffee and great devotions. You’ll need your energy today!

Experiencing the Story:Meet students at the door to your classroom with a roll of toilet paper. As each student enters the room ask them to tear off a piece of toilet paper. (Don’t tell them what the paper is for or how much to take!)

After students are seated, tell them just to hang on to their toilet paper for just a few minutes. They will need it later. First, though, its time to read today’s story.

Read John 11:1-44 (taking turns!)

Activity:Divide the class into two (or more) groups. Ask each person to count the number of squares of toilet paper they took when they entered the room. Have group members add their totals together. Have each team report and write the number up on your chalk/marker board.

Then say: Today for our activity, we are going to be doing toilet paper races. Here’s how it works. Each team will wrap up one member of the opposite team as tightly as possible in toilet paper. Then, to start the race, we’ll yell “Lazarus, Come out!” The Lazarus who is able to get out of their toilet paper grave clothes the fastest will will the race for their team. So the idea is that when you are wrapping up your opponent, you’ll want to get them as stuck as possible. Now, there’s just one catch. The amount of time that you’ll have to bind up your opponent depends on the number of toilet paper squares

your team has. You will get 10 seconds for each piece of toilet paper that your team has. (If the kids in your groups took a lot of toilet paper to begin with, or if you have a large group, you can adjust this amount of time downward. If you have a small group that only took a couple of pieces, you may have to make this longer.) So team one, you’ll have ____ seconds. Team two, you’ll have ___ seconds.

Get the kids started on deciding who will be their Lazarus and time the opposite team as they wrap that volunteer in toilet paper. When both teams are ready, have the whole class shout with you “Lazarus, Come out!” and pronounce a winner.

If you are up for it (and you still have enough intact toilet paper) play several rounds!

When you’ve had as much fun as you can stand, settle the kids back down in their seats for a more serious conversation about death and resurrection. Use some of these or your own questions for conversation:

-Today we’ve had a lot of fun raising Lazarus from the dead, but the truth is that the death of a loved one is something I know some of you have had experience with and its not such a funny thing. Jesus wept when Lazarus died. If you are willing to share, what are some of the thoughts or emotions that you had when a friend or a loved one of yours died?

-Bethany was right outside of Jerusalem. You can see how close they are together on our classroom map. Remember, Jerusalem is where the temple was and where all the people were who were really angry at Jesus. Jesus going to Bethany was like Jesus walking into a trap set for him by those who wanted to kill him. And we know that Jesus was killed. What do you think, was it worth it for Jesus to go and raise his friend?

-Jesus going to Bethany, raising Lazarus from the dead, even dying on the cross was for more than just Lazarus, though. Jesus did that so that we would be raised from the dead. We’re told that someday, we will hear the words “come out” too and we’ll be the ones springing up from the grave. Until that day, what are some ways that God reminds of that promise?