Lesson: John 11:38 (Ages 9-11)

📖 John 11:38 – Ages 9-11

Explanation

When Jesus arrived at the tomb where His friend Lazarus was buried, He felt very sad and upset. Imagine how you feel when you miss someone you love very much. Jesus loved Lazarus, and He felt the same way you do when you miss someone special.

The tomb where Lazarus was laid was like a big, dark cave with a stone covering the entrance. It was a sad and gloomy place. Jesus knew that His friend Lazarus had died, but He also had a plan to show God's great power.

Just like when you play a game and have a surprise move that no one expects, Jesus had a surprise too. He called out to Lazarus, and something amazing happened! Lazarus came back to life, walking out of the tomb, all because of Jesus' love and God's wonderful power.

This verse teaches us that even when things seem very sad and hopeless, Jesus can bring light and joy into our lives. He cares for us deeply and can do miracles that show His love and power. So, remember, just like Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, He can bring hope and happiness into our lives too.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a curious squirrel named Sammy who loved exploring the forest. One day, Sammy stumbled upon a mysterious cave blocked by a huge stone. Intrigued, Sammy tried to move the stone but couldn't. Feeling a bit scared, Sammy remembered the verse from John 11:38.

Sammy thought about how Jesus was deeply moved when He saw the stone at Lazarus' tomb. Just then, a kind bear named Bella appeared. Together, they pushed the stone aside and discovered a beautiful meadow inside the cave. Sammy learned that sometimes, things may seem impossible, but with faith and help from friends, obstacles can be overcome.

From that day on, Sammy and Bella explored the forest together, knowing that even the biggest stones can be moved with a little faith and friendship.

Prayer Prompt

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us through Jesus that it's okay to feel deeply moved by sadness. Help us remember that even when things seem impossible, you are with us, ready to bring light to our darkest moments. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus was deeply moved when he came to the tomb of Lazarus?
2. How do you think the stone blocking the tomb represents the difficulties or challenges we face in life?
3. What do you think Jesus might have been feeling as he approached the tomb knowing that he was about to perform a miracle?
4. How does this verse show us that even when things seem impossible, Jesus has the power to bring new life and hope?
5. How can we trust Jesus to bring light and hope into our darkest situations, just as he did for Lazarus?

Life Application

In John 11:38, we see Jesus feeling deep emotions as He approaches the tomb of His friend Lazarus. This verse shows us that Jesus cares deeply about His friends and their well-being. Children can apply this message in their own lives by showing compassion and care towards their friends and family.

At home, children can show love and empathy towards their siblings or parents when they are feeling sad or upset. They can offer a listening ear, a comforting hug, or a kind word to show that they care.

In school, children can look out for classmates who may be feeling lonely or left out. They can include them in games or activities, sit with them at lunch, or simply offer a friendly smile to brighten their day.

With friends, children can practice being good listeners and offering support when their friends are going through a tough time. They can be there to encourage and uplift their friends, just like Jesus did for Lazarus and his sisters.

By applying the message of John 11:38 in their daily interactions, children can show love, compassion, and kindness to those around them, just as Jesus did.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand and remember the message of John 11:38 is to create a diorama of the scene at the tomb of Lazarus.

You can use a shoebox or any small box as the base of the diorama. Inside the box, you can create a cave using brown construction paper or cardboard. Place a small rock or pebble against the cave entrance to represent the stone that was blocking the tomb in the Bible verse.

To represent Jesus being deeply moved, you can create a small figure of Jesus with a thoughtful expression. You can also add figures of Mary, Martha, and other people mentioned in the story.

Encourage the children to use their imagination and creativity to bring the scene to life. As they work on the diorama, you can discuss the emotions and actions of Jesus in this verse and its significance in the story of Lazarus.

This hands-on activity will not only help children visualize the Bible verse but also engage them in a fun and interactive way to remember the message of John 11:38.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

In John eleven, thirty-eight,
Jesus came to the tomb so great.
A cave with a stone, big and strong,
But Jesus knew it wouldn't be long.
He was moved deeply, love in His heart,
Ready to show His power, ready to start!

Songs or Videos

One great Christian song for kids that relates to the message of John 11:38 is "My God is So Big" by Go Fish. This song talks about how powerful and amazing God is, just like how Jesus showed His power by raising Lazarus from the dead.

Another wonderful song is "Our God is a Great Big God" by Jo and Friends. This song emphasizes how big and mighty our God is, similar to how Jesus moved the stone away from Lazarus' tomb to show His miraculous power.

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