Lazarus

Lazarus

(This children’s talk is based on John 11: 38-44, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.)

Theme:

Jesus raises the dead.

Objective:

1. To teach that Jesus has the power to raise the dead.

2. To teach that one day Jesus will also raise us from the grave.

Key Words/Phrase:

1. “Lazarus, come out!”

Materials:

1. one roll of toilet paper.

2. two assistants.

3. and some humour

Preparation:

1. It would be ideal if the Gospel reading of John 11: 38-44 was read before the children’s presentation.

2. At an earlier time, the first assistant is to bind the presenter with the toilet paper as if he were Lazarus. Then Lazarus out of sight patiently waits to be called out.

3. The second assistant is to gather the children at the right time.

Drama Points:

1. The assistant gathers the children for the presentation. When they are settled, either the assistant or together with the children call out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

And again, “Lazarus, come out!”

2. The other assistant opens the door to let Lazarus out. Make your way to the children saying, “I’m coming. I’m coming. I heard Jesus call my name, and now I am alive again. I’m so happy to be here.”

3. Ask one of the children to tear off the paper bandages to help set you free. During this process say, “I’ve been dead for four days, and I don’t smell too bad at all.”

4. When the paper bandages are off say, “Look! I’m in my Sunday cloths fully dressed and wearing my good shoes. Even today as it was thousands of years ago, when a person died the body is washed and dressed in their Sunday cloths.”

5. “It is a good thing that I’m properly dressed you never know who you are going to meet on the way to heaven. Imagine the embarrassment meeting Jesus in heaven with only your Rio underwear on.”

6. “My sisters, Mary and Martha will be very happy to see me alive again. They live in a town called Bethany, and there are still a few jobs I need to do around the house. Not only are they happy to see me alive again, but now they believe that their friend Jesus has the power to raise the dead.”

7. “That is a great joy and comfort to have; knowing that one day, on the last day Jesus will raise the dead to life again, and we’ll be all on our way to heaven.”

8. “Naturally, there will be tears and sorrow when someone we love dies, but we do have a comforting joy and hope in Jesus that one day, on the last day he will call us out of the grave.”

9. “On that day, Jesus will say, ‘Lazarus, come out. Mary, come out. Martha, come out. Arnold, come out. He’s my dad. And we’ll all be on our way to heaven.”

10. Pause. “I wonder what I’ll wear next time.”

11. Let us finish with prayer. “Dear Jesus, we thank you for raising Lazarus from the dead, and through it you have given us a comforting joy and hope that you will one day raise us also from the grave to be with you in heaven. Amen.