In this lesson, children learn that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that he cares deeply about his friends, even when they are sad. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus loves his friends, he is stronger than death, and he can bring hope even in the saddest moments.
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.
(WEB)
Have the children stand up and place both hands over their hearts while they say the verse together. Then have them lift their arms high like they are cheering, showing that Jesus brings us back to life with joy.
The Story: John 11 for Kids
A man named Lazarus lived in a village called Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Lazarus was very sick, so Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus, who was their good friend. They said, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” Jesus loved this family very much.
Jesus did not go to Bethany right away. He stayed where he was for two more days. When he finally said he would go, his friends were worried, because some people there had tried to hurt him. Jesus told them that Lazarus had fallen asleep, but his friends misunderstood. So Jesus said plainly, “Lazarus is dead.” He was sad for his friends, but he also knew he could help them believe.
When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Martha ran out to meet Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha believed that someday everyone would rise, but Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Then Mary came out crying, and Jesus cried too, because he cared about his friends’ sadness.
Jesus went to the tomb, which was a cave with a big stone in front. He asked the people to roll the stone away. He prayed to God, and then he called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The man who had been dead came walking out, still wrapped in grave cloths. Jesus said, “Take off his grave clothes and let him go free.”
Many people who saw this believed in Jesus. Some of the leaders, though, became angry and began planning how to stop him. Even so, the story shows that Jesus has power over death and that he is the Son of God.
Read It Together
John 11:4
But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus said the sickness would bring glory to God. Explain that even when something hard happens, God can use it for good, and children can trust God when they do not understand what is happening.
John 11:35
Jesus wept.
(WEB)
Ask the children to notice the shortest verse in the chapter. Explain that Jesus shares our sadness, and that it is good to bring our tears to him, because he cares about how we feel.
John 11:43-44
43 When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
(WEB)
Read these verses slowly and ask the children to act out Lazarus coming out of the tomb. Point out that Jesus gives life with a word, and that nothing is too hard for him.
Talk About It
- How do you think Mary and Martha felt when their brother was sick and then died?
- What did Jesus do to show that he cared about his friends in this story?
- Why do you think Jesus wanted his friends to believe in him?
- When have you felt sad, and how can you bring those feelings to Jesus?
- What is one thing about Jesus in this story that makes you happy?
Activity Ideas
Paper Tomb Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper, crayons, and a paper circle for the stone. Have them draw a dark cave, then draw Lazarus standing outside with bright colors. Let them glue the stone on top and move it aside to show the empty tomb. Talk about how Jesus brings light into dark places.
Roll the Stone Game
Use a soft ball or a rolled-up sock as the stone. Have the children sit in a circle and pass the stone, and whenever someone holds it, they say one thing Jesus does for his friends. Then have them stand up and roll the stone away together while saying, “Jesus is stronger than death!” This keeps the children moving and thinking.
Friendship Card to Take Home
Provide index cards, markers, and stickers. Ask each child to write or draw one way Jesus is a good friend, and one way they can be a good friend this week. Encourage them to give the card to a family member. This helps the lesson continue at home and reminds children that Jesus cares for them every day.
Teacher Notes
This chapter shows that Jesus is the source of resurrection life, not just someone who makes people feel better. For adults, it also shows that Jesus enters our grief, weeping with Mary and Martha, and then acts with power to bring life where death seems final. It is a reminder that faith in Jesus connects us to hope beyond the grave.
Avoid telling children that God will always bring back the people they love when they pray. The story is unique because Jesus raised Lazarus as a sign, and children need to understand that God’s comfort is real even when we do not get the outcome we hope for.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you that you are the resurrection and the life. Thank you that you love us and cry with us when we are sad. Help us trust you when we do not understand, and help us tell others about your love. Amen.
