In this workshop, children will play a life-size game with questions that will help them learn both the facts and the feelings in the story of the Raising of Lazarus.
PREPARATION
Read Bible Background and Scripture
Materials List
Bibles Copy machine Dice, large Game Board, “life sized” or construction paper Game questions Paper Scissors
Advance Preparation Requirements
If a “life sized” game board is not owned, one can easily and quickly be created by placing pieces of construction paper in a game board shape. Be sure that it is easy to move from one “space” to the next. The shape of the game board can be a square, a circle, or a snakey line, but it should have at least thirty spaces. The start and finish line should be clearly marked. Other spaces do not need marking. Review the additional suggestions for variations.
Duplicate one set of questions for each leader. Or, duplicate the questions and cut them apart so the players may choose them.
Game Questions
What town did Lazarus live in?
When Jesus heard that his friend Lazarus was ill, what did Jesus say?
After having heard that Lazarus was ill, did Jesus go to him right away?
True or False: Jesus really didn't care about Lazarus.
Why did the disciples not want to go back to Judea with Jesus?
When Jesus told the disciples that Lazarus was asleep, what did he mean?
Was Lazarus a stranger to Jesus?
Did Jesus know Lazarus would die?
Why do you think Jesus waited until Lazarus died to go to him?
How many days did Jesus wait after hearing of Lazarus’ illness to go to Bethany?
How long had Lazarus been in the tomb when Jesus arrived at his house?
How far was it from Lazarus' hometown to Jerusalem?
What did Jesus say in his prayer when the tomb was opened?
When Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb and he appeared still bound in grave cloth, what did many of the Jews who saw it do?
The chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death. Why?
True or False: Jesus performed miracles in order to impress people.
Define resurrection.
Put these words in order: am life and the I the resurrection
True or False: Mary and Martha believed in Jesus' power to heal.
How did Martha show her faith in Jesus?
How do we know Jesus was touched by the grief of Mary and Martha?
How do you think Mary and Martha felt when Jesus didn't come?
What did Mary say to Jesus when he finally arrived?
Why did Martha not want the tomb to be opened?
What did Jesus yell into the tomb?
How do you think Mary and Martha felt when Lazarus came back from the dead?
Why did Jesus want to show the people God's power to raise the dead?
Who else did Jesus claim would be raised from the dead?
If God doesn't answer our prayers, does it mean he can't do what we ask?
True or False: The disciples always understood why Jesus did things.
Did any of Jesus disciples or friends understand what he was going to do?
Which disciple convinces the others to go with Jesus to Bethany?
How does Jesus show his love for you?
What did Jesus say we need to do to have life?
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus has power over death? Explain.
What do you think believing in Jesus means?
True or False: We will always understand how God is working in our lives.
PRESENTATION
Open – Introduction
As the children come into the classroom, welcome them warmly. If children arrive early, encourage them to take a Bible and to read the Scripture passage on their own. Once everyone has gathered, begin with a prayer, and read the story together, allowing the children to read aloud if they wish to take turns.
Dig – Main Content
Show the children the life sized game board, and explain that the children themselves will be the game pieces. If there is a very large group, divide into teams and have each team select one child to be the “game piece.” The game pieces begin at the start space. Each person or team answers a question FIRST. If the question is answered correctly, THEN the game piece (student) may roll the dice and move forward on the board. If the question is not answered correctly, the student then waits to move until his or her next turn. If the question does not have a “fact” answer, encourage the child to share his or her opinion and thoughts fully, then allow the dice to be rolled. The game piece arriving at the finish line first wins.
Reflect – Closure
Gather the children together and invite them to share what part of the story of Lazarus gets their attention the most. Discuss ideas about why this story is included in the book of John, and what John wanted people to know about Jesus.
Close with a prayer.
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
If there is a child or children in the group who are likely to have trouble answering the questions, have the students pair up so that each pair moves together as one “game piece” and can work together to answer the questions.
Allow an option of an “open book” question. If the student(s) prefer to use the Bible to answer the question, they may only roll one die instead of both dice. If the student(s) can answer the question without the Bible, they may roll two dice.
Adaptations – Younger Children
So that younger children will be able to move each turn, change the rules to allow the student to roll two dice if the question is answered correctly, but only one die if they answer incorrectly. Young children may need multiple choice answers to choose from as well.
Adaptations – Older Children
Mark some of the spaces with a star. If a star space is landed on, the student needs to act out a person or some part of the story in a “charade.” If their charade is correctly guessed, the player on the star AND the person who guesses correctly first may each roll one die and move forward the number of spaces on the die they rolled.
SOURCES
Msssbible.com Educational Patterns for Children’s Ministries Group Publishing In Touch Ministries Sunday School Sources
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