Jesus Resurrects Lazarus: Children's Activities & Crafts

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a compelling narrative in the New Testament, highlighting Jesus' power over death. Apart from its spiritual significance, this event has inspired numerous children's activities that teach biblical lessons while fostering creativity and fun. Let's explore some engaging activities that bring this story to life for kids.

Before we dive into these activities, it's essential to understand the context of the story. When Lazarus died, Jesus was away, but He decided to go to Bethany despite knowing the risk of arrest. Upon arrival, He found Lazarus had been dead for four days, and the sisters, Martha and Mary, were mourning. Jesus' powerful declaration, "Lazarus, come forth," brought Lazarus back to life (John 11:43-44), inspiring awe and faith among the onlookers.

Jesus Raised Lazarus - Story Telling and Role-Play

Storytelling is an excellent way to engage kids with the Bible. After reading the account of Jesus raising Lazarus, encourage children to act out the story. Divide the children into groups and assign each group a character to dress up as. This could include Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, Mary, and the mourners. Provide simple costumes or let the children create their own with props. As the children act out the story, they'll internalize the narrative and its lessons.

The role-play can also extend to the emotions experienced by each character. For example, have the 'mourners' express sadness, while 'Martha' and 'Mary' show their faith and hope that Jesus can still do something. When Lazarus comes forth, the 'mourners' can express their amazement and belief in Jesus' power.

Illustrating the Miracle - Art Activity

After the role-play, engage the children in an art project illustrating the miracle of Lazarus' resurrection. Provide each child with a large paper or poster board, along with an assortment of art supplies like markers, crayons, paint, and stickers. Encourage them to create a visual representation of the story, including Jesus calling out to Lazarus, Lazarus emerging from the tomb, and the reactions of the crowd. This activity helps children process the story's meaning creatively.

To take this activity a step further, have the children present their artwork to the group. They can explain what they've drawn and why, fostering a deeper understanding of the story among the children. Plus, it's an excellent opportunity for kids to develop their public speaking skills.

Graveyard Science - Understanding Decomposition

To make the story of Lazarus' resurrection more relatable, introduce a simple science experiment illustrating decomposition. Obtain two identical fruits (e.g., apples) and label one as 'Lazarus.' Place 'Lazarus' in a dark, warm place and check on it daily, noting the changes. Meanwhile, keep the other fruit in a cool, dry place. After a week, compare the two fruits. The changes in 'Lazarus' should demonstrate the process of decomposition.

Explain that when Lazarus died, his body began to decompose. However, when Jesus called him back to life, the decomposition stopped, and his body was restored. This experiment helps children understand the physical aspects of life and death in a fun, engaging way.

Miracles in Our Lives - Real-Life Connections

After exploring the story of Jesus raising Lazarus, discuss with the children how they've seen God perform 'miracles' in their own lives. Encourage them to share personal stories of answered prayers, sudden improvements in difficult situations, or other experiences they consider miraculous. This helps children connect the biblical narrative to their daily lives and fosters a stronger sense of faith.

To make this activity more engaging, create a 'Miracles' board where children can post their stories. Use colorful paper and markers and encourage the children to be creative in their presentation. This board can serve as a constant reminder of God's faithfulness and love in their lives.

Lazarus Craft - Creating a Tomb

Another hands-on activity is creating a simple tomb model to represent Lazarus' burial place. You'll need cardboard boxes, scissors, paint, and other craft supplies. Have the children design and cut a rectangular shape (the tomb) from the cardboard. They can then paint and decorate their tomb as desired. When finished, discuss how Lazarus was buried in a tomb like this one and how Jesus commanded him to come out.

To make this activity more interactive, the children can take turns 'dying' and being placed in the tomb, then 'coming to life' when a friend says, "Lazarus, come forth!" This helps children visualize and internalize the power of Jesus' command.

Through these engaging activities, children can delve deeper into the meaning of Jesus' miracle of raising Lazarus. By combining storytelling, art, science, and personal reflection, these experiences help kids understand the Bible in a fun, interactive way. Encourage the children to share what they've learned with their friends and families, spreading the story of Jesus' power over death and the importance of faith in our lives.