The Gospel Project at Home: Jesus Raised Lazarus
Read Scripture
Read all or parts of John 11:1-44 from your Bible or watch the Bible story video.
Preschool Bible Story Video
Elementary Bible Story Video
Talk About Scripture
Can you imagine what Mary, Martha, and all the others were thinking when Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and told them to remove the stone? Lazarus had been dead for four days, and by this time a dead body would have started to smell.
Everyone thought Jesus had come too late to help, but Jesus has power over sin and death. Jesus said to them, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after they die. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never really die.” When Jesus called his name, Lazarus was brought back to life and came walking out of the tomb still wrapped in his grave clothes!
This miracle shows us that Jesus has power over death. Soon after raising Lazarus from the grave, Jesus miraculously rose from the dead and left His own tomb. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of His power!
The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Sin has separated us from God. Like Lazarus in the tomb, we are hopeless and cannot save ourselves. But God loved us so much that He sent Jesus—the one who has power over sin and death! He offers forgiveness for sinners and eternal life. According to Ephesians 2:5, anyone who believes in Jesus is “made alive with Christ”!
By raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus showed He is the Messiah, the Son of God, who gives eternal life. Jesus died and rose again to take away our sins. When we trust in Him, we receive new life and will live with God forever.
Pray: Thank You, God, for loving us even when we are dead in our sins. Thank You for sending Jesus to defeat sin and death so we can have life eternally by trusting in Him. We love You because You have shown so much love to us! Amen.
Learn Scripture
Preschool Scripture Music Video
Elementary Scripture Music Video
Family Prayer
Mornings: Ask God to help you trust His timing in all things. Ask Him to remind you that He is always working things out according to His plan—even when it may not match our plans or expectations. How did Jesus’ miracle of raising Lazarus show His power and perfect timing?
Evenings: Praise God for the forgiveness of sin that is made possible through Jesus. What does it mean to confess sin and seek forgiveness? How has Jesus defeated sin and death?
Family Activities
For Fun: Take turns wrapping family members in toilet tissue to resemble Lazarus in the tomb. Use a stopwatch to see how quickly each person can unravel the “grave clothes” from their body. Talk about this miracle and the ways it shows us Jesus’ power over sin and death.
To Serve: Visit a cemetery to place flowers or help clean the grounds. While you work, discuss how death is a consequence of sin, but those who trust in Jesus do not have to fear death because Jesus has power over it!