Raising Lazarus

Raising Lazarus

Wednesday, February 20th & Sunday, February 24th

Key Passage: John 11:3-53

Basic Truth: Jesus reveals God's glory.

Memory Verse: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11

Think about it: 

How many times have we carefully planned a trip or an outing, only to have our glowing prospects punctured by a change in weather, or health, or overriding circumstances?  The sweet anticipation turns to sawdust, and we are left wondering “Why?”

This never happens to God’s plans.  We may think it does, confusing our wishes with God’s sovereign will.  Yet time after time, looking back later, we have reason to thank Him for His “course corrections”.  We see blessings released that we would have otherwise missed altogether.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!  "Who has known the mind of the Lord?  Or who has been his counselor?"  "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"  For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36).

Is your heart surrendered to the inconceivable plans of the Almighty???

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: Why do we use so many words to describe God?

A: God cannot be adequately described by human words...

Grade 1-2

Q: Why did Jesus bring Lazarus back to life?

A: Jesus revealed God's indescribable greatness and excellence by proving His power over death.

Q: 'A reflection of the indescribable greatness and excellence of God' is the Glory of God. What are some ways that we can see and know that God is great?

A: His creation, miracles, share some examples from your life!

Q: What part of a person never dies? What difference is there for the person who believes in Jesus? 

A: their spirit (the invisible, inner part that we call our spirit). Jesus said, "He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." So for the believer, even though we die we will live iwth Him and never be separated from Him. (John 11:25-26)

Grade 3-4

Q: Why didn't Jesus come to heal Lazarus before he died?

A: Jesus wanted people to see a power far greater than the ability to heal physical sickness. Jesus is able to give life that will never end!

Q: Why do people die? 

A: Death is a result of sin. Death: separation of the soul from the body; separation of the soul from God

Q: Why was the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead written down? How can we believe, even when these things are hard to understand?

A: They were written down so we may believe in Jesus and have eternal life (John 20:30-31). We can believe by having faith (trust; confidence in what we cannot see).

Grade 5-6

Q: How does faith help us to handle difficult things in life?

A: Faith is the confidence to trust God's plan and know that His plans are better than ours. 

Q: Do things happen randomly in life, or is there a purpose?

A: Everything happens and exists for a purpose, and it's all for God and apart of His plan! Sometimes we make plans, but God's plan is better and He wants us to trust Him. (Proverbs 19:21)

Q: In the story of Lazarus did Martha believe Jesus?

A: Yes she did! Her faith allowed her to trust God's plan, even though she didn't understand what was happening. 

Family Activities:

1) Think of a believer you know that has passed away (maybe a relative or family friend). Talk about death for a believer and the confidence you have in living in heaven with Jesus forever.