Jesus is our True Friend Teach Children about Visiting in Homes Choose any of these learning activities. 1.
Older
child or teacher: 2. Let the children copy or colour the picture on the last page of this lesson. Lazarus came back to life, still wrapped in burial cloths. 3. After recounting the story, pose these queries. [Answers appear after each question.] 1.
Why did Jesus wait for two days
before going to see his sick friend? 2.
Why
did Jesus say that Lazarus had fallen asleep when he had died? 3. What did Jesus do when he saw the tomb? [See verse 35] 4. What happens to believers in Jesus when they die? [See verse 25] 5. What was Lazarus wearing when he left the tomb? [See verse 44] 4. Dramatize parts of the story. · Arrange with the worship leader to have the children present this brief drama. · Use your time with the children to prepare it. · You do not have to use all the parts of the story. · Let the older children help the younger ones.
Narrator. Summarize the story and help the children remember what to say and do. Jesus Mary Martha. Have pieces of cloth to wrap Lazarus and a table to represent the tomb. Let younger children act out these roles: Disciples (all the other children) Thomas Messenger Lazarus Others at the tomb Part One Narrator:
Tell
the first part of the story, John l1:1-16. Then say, Lazarus: “I feel very sick. I think I am going to die.” Martha: “Messenger! Go quickly to tell Jesus to come and heal his friend.” Messenger:
Run to Jesus and say, Jesus: “This will not end in death. I must wait a few days, so that God will be glorified.” (Sit) Narrator: “A few days pass.” Jesus: Stand and say, “Now it is time to go.” Disciples
(Some Say) “Jesus, you must not go to Lazarus’ house!” Jesus:
“Lazarus is asleep. We will wake him up.” Thomas: “Then let us go and die with Jesus.” Part Two Narrator:
Tell the second part of the story, John 11:17-28. Then say, Martha:
Weep and wrap Lazarus in cloth. Then lay him on the floor
under a table. Then notice Jesus. Go to him and say, Jesus: “Your brother will live again. Do you know I am the resurrection and the life?” Martha: “Yes, I know that.” Narrator:
Tell
the third part of the story, John 11: Jesus: “Where is Mary?” Mary: Come running and say, “Jesus, why did you let my brother die?” Jesus: “I feel very sad. Show me the tomb.” Mary: Show Jesus where Lazarus lies. Jesus: Look at Lazarus lying on the ground. Weep and wipe tears from your eyes. People at the tomb: Jesus: Shout loudly, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus: Stand up, wrapped in cloth. Jesus: “Take the grave clothes off him and let him go!” People at the tomb: Narrator or older child: Explain that the drama is over
and thank 5. Pose queries. If the children dramatize this story for the adults, then let them pose for the adults the same queries that are listed above. 6. Discuss: “What are other examples of ways
we serve people by visiting them in their homes?” 7. Draw a picture of a table with food on it, for the children to copy. · Let the older children help the younger ones. · Let them show the pictures to the adults at the worship time or to parents at home. ·
Let them explain that the table
with food illustrates how the spirit of Jesus comes into our homes to
give · Let them explain about Jesus at the door of our hearts, in the memory verse below. 8.
Memorize
Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door and
knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to
him and will dine with him, and he with me.” 9. Poem. Let three children each recite one of the verses from Psalm 145:15, 16 and 18. 10. Let an older child read this prayer: “Lord, you do wonderful things for people who believe in you. You live with us and give us new life. When we die, you will raise us from death to live with you forever where you are. Help us to show our gratitude by visiting others to serve them.
Download a more complete
scripted version to act out of the drama about Lazarus:
At Jesus’ command, Lazarus came out of his tomb, alive, three days after he died.
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