Raising the Dead

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this module is for students to learn about the love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ through His miracles. This lesson will focus on understanding how Christ our God has dominion over death and is our source of life and He is with us through eternity.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

"Raising Lazarus from the Dead" - Balloon Example:

Materials -- (large balloon, 1 empty plastic bottle (rinse only with water), vinegar, 2 teaspoons of baking soda, funnel)

(DO THIS IN ADVANCE)

  • Blow up balloon with your mouth as much as possible without popping the balloon, to stretch the balloon material, then deflate)
  • With a funnel, fill the balloon with the two teaspoons of baking soda
  • Rinse funnel to get rid of any extra baking soda

I want to show you an example of when Jesus Raised Lazarus from the Dead.

(pull out the empty bottle, using your funnel, fill the vinegar half way in the bottle)

(wrap the balloon around the rim of the bottle, BUT DO NOT LET THE BAKING SODA IN THE BALLOON FALL INTO THE VINEGAR)

Explain the story of Lazarus, how he was friends with Jesus, how his two sisters (Mary and Martha) called Jesus, because they were so upset because their brother Lazarus died. Lazarus was already placed in the tomb when Jesus came to see them. The tomb was already shut. The sisters felt that if Jesus had come sooner, then Lazarus would have not died, they were so sad and upset. But this was Jesus wanted, because HE wanted to show the people around Him of the miracles He can perform.

(show the bottle)

Explain that the limp balloon is Lazarus' dead body. Then Jesus came and performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead (let the baking soda pour into the bottle with the vinegar). The gas reaction will cause the balloon to blow up. So it represents God raising Lazarus from the dead.

Ask the students: "Does anyone know anyone who had a family member pass away? What feelings does the death of someone we love bring? What brings us joy in the midst of the sadness?"

  • When someone passes away, the first reaction is sadness, crying and maybe sometimes even anger and confusion.
  • But at the end of the day, when our earthly feelings and emotions go away, and we really think of the passing of our loved ones, we start to think of their eternal future.
  • And most times, we start to think of them rejoicing in Heaven with God our Father. Of them finally reaching their eternal and everlasting life. Then we begin to feel happiness and joy for them.

Today we will learn about our Lord Jesus Christ showing power over death.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Memory Verse

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." John 11:25

Raising of Lazarus - John 11:1-44

Raising of the Daughter of Jairus - Luke 8:49-56

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

  • Our Lord loves us so much that He wanted to come to this world to save us from the death of sin. If we are always sinning, we will never enter eternal life with Him in heaven. So Jesus came down to save us from ourselves and our mistakes that we make.
  • When He shows us examples of who He is and what He is capable of, even with death that seems so final, He still overpowered death.
  • Our Lord Jesus Christ saw how devastated and sad Jairus was hurting over the death of his daughter, and He saw how full of sadness, Mary and Martha were over their brother Lazarus, that He had compassion over them.
  • Jesus shares in those moments with us and tells us "Do not be afraid, only believe and she will be made well".
  • He comforts us and makes us feel better. He even says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live". Basically Jesus is telling us that even if the person does die, will they have life in heaven with Him. But before those people die, they need to know God, in order to have eternal life with Him.

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION (Action) - 5 Minutes

  • Every day we go to school. Yes, sometimes it's boring or could be hard to understand a lesson, but we know that we have to keep pushing in school, so that when we get older, we are smarter than the year before. When we get older, we might even have a job that helps other people or makes a difference in someone else's life, like being a doctor, or a builder or a teacher. We are constantly learning in school to reach an end result that will make us and the people around happy.
  • Well it's the same thing with knowing God. Sometimes we are learning about God, and we don't understand all the stories or what God is trying to teach us through the Bible, but after your Sunday School teacher explains it to you, it makes more sense. We got the connection to God. It is important to constantly learn about God, so that we reach the end result that will make us and God happy. When we know God more, He is happy with us, and in turn will receive eternal life.
  • When we learn about God, it is not just learning the story, but understanding how God was kind to others and had compassion for them even their darkest times. When someone passes away, it is of course ok to feel sad about this person, because we will miss them being around us all the time. But because of everything we learned from God, and our relationship and faith in God, we know that the same person we are feeling sad about, we are also feeling happy for them, because they are entering the kingdom of God.

Ask the students to reflect: "How can we benefit from this power while we are still living day to day?"

  • We can comfort others when those around us depart this world
  • We ask Him to live in our hearts and keep them alive with His glory
  • We know that He is with us when we are sad and suffering

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

"Lazarus" Craft

  • Materials
    • one toilet paper roll
    • Marker
    • 1 computer paper
    • Scissors
    • Glue
  • Have them draw two big eyes (that are open) towards the top of the toilet paper roll
  • Have them cut the paper into ½ inch or less strips.
  • Wrap and glue the strips of paper around the toilet roll in different directions like a mummy. (DO NOT HAVE THEM COVER THE EYES THEY DREW)
  • This is like when Lazarus rose from the dead after Jesus raised him from the dead.

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

The next time the kids have a chance, have the kids light a candle for a loved one that passed away. Have them say a prayer for this person. Have the students ask their parents about an experience where God provided comfort in time of a loved one's departure.