The Gospel Project at Home: Jesus Raised a Widow's Son

Read Scripture

​Read all or parts of Luke 7:11-17 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.

Preschool Bible Story Video

Elementary Bible Story Video

Talk About Scripture

The tardigrade (also called a “water bear”) is a tiny creature that can survive being frozen, boiled, dried out, or even sent into space! Scientists have found that when it looks totally dead and dried up, if you add just a drop of water, the tardigrade comes back to life and starts moving again. That’s pretty amazing! 

But here’s something even more amazing: Jesus has the power to bring the dead back to life! Jesus showed His power and compassion by raising a widow’s only son back to life. When Jesus saw the mother crying over her lost son, He walked over, touched the coffin, and said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” And just like that, the young man sat up and started talking! Everyone was filled with awe and said, “God has come to help His people!” 

This story shows us that Jesus is compassionate. He saw the widow’s pain, and He cared deeply for her. It also shows us His power because only Jesus has power over life and death. No one else could do what He did that day. 

This miracle also points us to the gospel. One day, Jesus Himself would die on the cross, but God raised Him from the dead. Because of His resurrection, anyone who trusts in Jesus can have eternal life. Death doesn’t have the final word—Jesus does. 

Jesus has the power to bring the dead to life. We are all dead in our sins, but Jesus will give us new life in Him if we repent and trust in His life, death, and resurrection.        

Pray: Jesus, thank You for showing Your power over death and Your compassion for people who are hurting. Help us trust that because You died and rose again, we can have hope and life with You forever. Amen. 

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Family Prayer

Mornings: Take a moment to thank Jesus for being powerful and compassionate. Ask Him to help you trust His care for you today, even in hard or scary situations.    

Evenings: End your day by thanking Jesus that He sees you and cares about your struggles. Ask Him to give you rest tonight, remembering that His love never ends, and His power is greater than anything you face.        

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Family Activities

For Fun: Sit in a circle as a family and choose one person to be It. They will try to make others smile while each family member tries to keep a straight face and not smile. They can try making funny faces, telling jokes, or other methods to break the sadness. After a few rounds, remind your child that Jesus broke through the sadness of death with His power and compassion. This miracle points us to the greatest miracle—when Jesus rose from the dead so that everyone who trusts in Him can have eternal life.  

To Serve: Ask your pastor or church leaders if they know a widow who could use encouragement. Work together as a family to put together a basket with simple items like baked goods, a cozy blanket, tea or coffee, or handmade cards with Bible verses about God’s comfort. Visit her together as a family, deliver the basket, and spend a few minutes listening to her story and praying with her.                    

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