Lesson 4: Jesus comforts his friends.
Passage: John 11:17-27 - Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus had passed away and had been in the tomb for four days by the time Jesus arrived to visit them. Martha came out to meet Jesus, but her sister Mary stayed inside. In her grief, Martha told Jesus that if he had been there, their brother wouldn’t have died, but that she believes that even now Jesus could save him. Jesus responded that Lazarus would rise again, and Martha thought that he was talking about the resurrection at the last day. Jesus replied that he is the resurrection and the life, and Martha professed her faith in him as the Messiah and Son of God.
Big Idea: Jesus is with us in our sadness.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Mummy Wrap — Activity Leader
Divide the kids into two teams and choose one kid to be the mummy. They teams use toilet paper rolls to wrap them up as best as they can.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be having another story time with Nana Alex. Let’s watch the video to find out what today’s story is all about…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember why Nana Alex was sad at the beginning of the video?
Who were the two sisters that Nana Alex mentioned from the Bible who were friends with Jesus? What was their brother’s name?
What happened to their brother that made everyone so sad?
What did Martha say to Jesus when he arrived at their home? And what did Jesus say and do to make her feel better?
Can you think of a time when you were really sad? Who do you go to when you’re feeling that way?
Did you know that Jesus also cares about us when we are feeling sad? Have you ever tried talking to God about the things that make you sad?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about the time when Jesus’ friends Mary and Martha were very sad. Thank you that we know that Jesus cares for us and is close to us when we are sad, just like he was there to comfort Mary and Martha. Please help us to remember that whenever we’re going through tough feelings, we can always pray and talk to you about it, because you love to listen to us. And help us to be a good friend to others when they are going through hard times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Popsicle Stick Mummies — Activity Leader
Using popsicle sticks and other materials provided, the kids can decorate their own mummy.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Mummy Wrap — Activity Leader
Divide the kids into two teams and choose one kid to be the mummy. The teams will use toilet paper rolls to wrap them up as best as they can.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be having another story time video, and we’ll be hearing about a time when the Bible says that Jesus actually cried. Did you guys know that Jesus cried?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about that story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember why Nana Alex was sad at the beginning of the video?
Who were the two sisters that Nana Alex mentioned from the Bible who were friends with Jesus? What was their brother’s name?
What happened to their brother that made everyone so sad?
What did Martha say to Jesus when he arrived at their home? And what did Jesus say and do to make her feel better?
Can you think of a time when you were really sad? Who do you go to when you’re feeling that way?
Have you ever tried praying and talking to Jesus about the things that make you sad?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus comforted Martha and Mary when they were going through a really difficult time. Thank you that we know you care and are close to us in hard times, when we are feeling sad or alone. Please help us to also be that friend who cares and is there to listen when we see someone struggling and going through something tough. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
Activity: Popsicle Stick Mummies — Activity Leader
Using popsicle sticks and other materials provided, the kids can decorate their own mummy.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Dizzy Mummy Minute To Win It Challenge — Activity Leader
In this challenge, using only their body, the contestant must unwind an entire roll of toilet paper by executing a series of 360 degree spins.
If at any time the paper rips, the game is over. One helper loosely holds the roll of toilet paper, and the player isn't allowed to use their hands!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be having another story time video, and we’ll be hearing about a time when the Bible says that Jesus actually cried. Did you guys know that Jesus cried?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about that story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember why Nana Alex was sad at the beginning of the video?
Who were the two sisters that Nana Alex mentioned from the Bible who were friends with Jesus? What was their brother’s name?
What happened to their brother that made everyone so sad?
What did Martha say to Jesus when he arrived at their home? And what did Jesus say and do to make her feel better?
Can you think of a time when you were really sad or going through something difficult? Who do you go to when you’re feeling that way?
There’s a verse in the Psalms that says that God is close to the broken-hearted and comforts those who are crushed in spirit. Is this something you’ve experienced?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned about today about how Jesus was there for his friends in their time of grief. Thank you that you are a God who cries with us, just as Jesus cried with Martha and Mary when their brother Lazarus passed away. Please help us to remember that we can turn to you no matter what situation we are faced with, and though we may or may not experience a miraculous solution to our problems the way Mary and Martha did, we know that you are always there to listen and comfort us and get us through hard times. And please help us to be that friend to others as well in their times of need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Popsicle Stick Mummies — Activity Leader
Using popsicle sticks and other materials provided, the kids can decorate their own mummy.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What happened that made Jesus’ friends Mary and Martha really sad?
What did Jesus say and do to comfort them and make them feel better?
Has there ever been a time when you were sad and you needed someone to help you feel better? How does it feel to know that you can always talk to Jesus about anything you’re feeling and that he cares for you?
What are some ways that we can be a good friend to someone else who is going through a hard time?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What were the names of Jesus’ friends in the story? What happened to them?
When Jesus arrived, what did Martha say to him? How did Jesus comfort her in her sadness?
Do you think that Jesus is someone we can turn to when we are going through difficult times? What are some ways that we can feel God’s comfort?
What do you think is the best thing we can do when we see someone else feeling sad or going through a tough time?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What was the difficult situation that Jesus’ friends Mary and Martha were facing?
What did Martha say to Jesus when he arrived and what did you think about that? Do you think she was upset with Jesus for not being there sooner? Why or why not?
Has there ever been a time when you were upset with God? Do you think that God welcomes us to feel that way and even vent our frustration sometimes?
What do you think is the best way to be a friend to someone when they are sad or grieving?
