Worship Lesson Part 8: He raises the dead- a model of His plan

Lazarus, Mary, Martha, God’s Power, tomb, believe, eternal life, Jesus-King, Son of God

Part 19 Raised to Life pg. 337-357 John 11:25 A new way to see Jesus as God

Act out: John 11- use the script (8 parts- one not speaking) Lazarus Lives! Fill in blank puzzle Lazarus Coloring NT books handout

Aim:  To explain that Jesus taught the people around Him that He is God, has power from God, and has it now, and will show it even more when He rises from the dead.  He is the rescuer- worthy of their belief!

Concepts:

• resurrect to come to life again after death
• believe
• Spirit -Spirit of God- Holy Spirit
• Prayer
• Jesus is My King, is He yours? pg. 355 the people recognized Him as King

Read book or act out or both:

Talk about: who Mary is (one who anointed Jesus with perfume)? What did Mary and Martha expect Jesus would do? Save him from dying. 

What is Jesus response? He didn’t come- he is waiting knowing He would show God’s power over death. 

What does Jesus mean by: I am the resurrection and the life… pg. 344,  What is he telling Marth about himself? That He is God- and He is the Messiah of the OT and He will die and rise 3 days later. 

What were people beginning to recognize about Jesus (pg. 345) if he healed the blind, couldn’t he have saved Lazarus?  But what power did Jesus show them? Power over death… and he talked about belief. Is power over death a bigger miracle than healing a blind person?

Where did the power come from? Spirit of God or Holy Spirit gave Jesus power.

What did they believe?

Jesus will rescue God’s People.  He is God’s Place (new temple).  He rules over death.  He brings blessing to all the people.  What was their response?  To make Jesus their King. 

Discussion: Mary, Martha and their friends all believed in Jesus' power to heal. They believed that He was the Messiah. But still Jesus wanted to increase their faith. He wanted them to see the full power and glory of God, to give substance to His promises. They said they believed in the resurrection on the final day but had not yet seen God's power to raise the dead. It was distant to them -- not connected to their current life. Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in order to show God's ultimate power. Discuss how this tragedy turned into a terrific source of faith in their lives. How they could then proclaim to others, "God can raise the dead!"