Welly Church Kids Lessons

Kids · 4-8 · Lesson 19

Jesus Raises Lazarus

John 11:17-44

Jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust Him.

Teach the lesson

Goal: Retell the main action in John 11:17-44 and state in simple language that jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust him.

Pick how long you want to teach. The plan updates to fit.

Short · 25 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 8 min
    Read

    Read selected portions of John 11:17-44 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  3. 5 min
    Understand

    Connect observations to the big idea without adding unsupported details.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  4. 6 min
    Do

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path

    Printable: K4-L19-P01-jesus-raises-lazarus-story-path

  5. 3 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Standard · 35 minutes

  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 4 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 9 min
    Read and observe

    Read selected portions of John 11:17-44 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  4. 7 min
    Discuss

    Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  5. 7 min
    Activity

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path

    Printable: K4-L19-P01-jesus-raises-lazarus-story-path

  6. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Extended · 45 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 6 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 10 min
    Read closely

    Read selected portions of John 11:17-44 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  4. 8 min
    Discuss

    Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  5. 9 min
    Activity

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path

    Printable: K4-L19-P01-jesus-raises-lazarus-story-path

  6. 5 min
    Extension

    Compare another passage or claim classification and state what additional evidence contributes.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  7. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Close the class

Memory verse: Matthew 5:1-12

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage shows and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Jesus described the character and hope of people under God's reign.

More help: full script, questions, and printables

A word-for-word way to run the lesson, plus every question, activity, and printable.

Teach now

Retell the main action in John 11:17-44 and state in simple language that jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust him.

Read
John 11:17-44
Opening
Ask one observation question before explaining the lesson.
Say
  • The selected passage supplies the principal textual evidence for Jesus Raises Lazarus.
  • Jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust Him.
Ask
  • What does the text directly say?
  • What conclusion requires interpretation or synthesis?
  • What should we avoid overstating?
  • What is one faithful response?
Do
Complete Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path.
Close
Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.
Materials
  • Bible
  • Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path

Discussion questions

  • What does the passage directly say?
    Simple answer: Name one concrete detail from the passage.
    Going deeper: Which observations carry the most interpretive weight?
  • What conclusion can we support from those observations?
    Simple answer: Which evidence best supports the big idea?
    Going deeper: What reasoning connects the evidence to the conclusion?
  • Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
    Simple answer: Name one statement that goes beyond direct quotation.
    Going deeper: Explain the interpretive hinge and what would be an overstatement.
  • What faithful response fits the text?
    Simple answer: Choose one concrete response.
    Going deeper: Explain why the response follows from the evidence.

Activities

Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path · 10 min

Materials: Bible; Jesus Raises Lazarus Story Path; Pens or pencils

  1. Read John 11:17-44.
  2. Record at least two direct observations.
  3. Test the big idea: Jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust Him.
  4. Name one conclusion or application that would go beyond the evidence.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

The Beatitudes Story Path · 8 min

Materials: Bible; The Beatitudes Story Path; Pens or pencils

  1. Read Matthew 5:1-12.
  2. Record two direct observations.
  3. Test the big idea: Jesus described the character and hope of people under God's reign.
  4. Name one conclusion or application that would go beyond the evidence.

Low-resource option: Use verbal responses.

Printables

Prepare before class (optional, about 30 minutes)

Passage context

Jesus' ministry within Jesus Is King

  • The selected passage supplies the principal textual evidence for Jesus Raises Lazarus.
  • Jesus showed authority over death and called people to trust Him.
  • Start with the selected passage before synthesis or application.
  • Read this as Gospel narrative / teaching and account for immediate context.
  • Distinguish explicit text, canonical synthesis, inference, framework position, disputed interpretation, historical context, and prudential judgment.

Keep it faithful

  • Use gentle language about death and grief; do not imply bereavement is caused by personal sin.
  • Do not promise that Jesus will reverse every death or illness before the resurrection.

Questions children may ask

How sure are we about this conclusion?
What if Christians disagree?

Every child can join in

  • Offer verbal or written responses.
  • Preview activity sequence.
  • Allow students to pass on personal-sharing questions.
  • No sensory simulation is required.
  • Read aloud and use icons, sequence cards, oral choices, or a scribe.
Print this lesson