Lazarus
Bible Games Workshop
Editor Notes: This workshop could also be used as a Computer Workshop, we have input the quiz questions into a txt file (attached to end of this lesson) that can be used with the Fall of Jericho (Sonsoft), a free software program for our Supporting Members. Learn more and get the software.
Summary of Lesson Activities:
Children will play the quiz game “Bind and Unwrap Lazarus”
Outcome Objectives:
- Children remember story details about Lazarus
- Children can sequence events of the Lazarus story.
- Children can find the story of Lazarus in their Bibles.
Supplies Needed:
- Bibles
- A large white sheet for the students to tear into bandages
- 4 X 6 cards with letters A, B, C, D for each team
- Construction paper, markers/crayons
Advance Preparation:
- Know the story well.
- Practice telling the story using the child friendly retelling or your own words. If you are going to read from the Bible, know where you are going to leave off and restart.
- Gather the materials.
Presentation
Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introduction:
Read the scripture passage together (John 1-44).
Focus for discussion: “Unbind him” (John 11:44)
Begin discussion by having students tear a 3" wide strip of cloth from the white sheet. Each student should now have a 7 foot long bandage. Have them roll it up.
During the following discussion, ask them to say some sins then WRITE them on the bandage in large letters, unrolling the bandage to add more sins. Stoke the discussion with a variety of different types of sins. Include situations, such as bullying, or lieing, or failing to follow through on a promise to God.
After you have 6 or 7 sins written on the bandage....Have students pair up, and have one student "bind up" the other student like Lazarus with the pair of bandages. Make sure their legs and hands are bound. Have an extra bandage to go around their mouth and eyes. Once each person is bound, ONE BY ONE the teacher should approach a 'bound' person and ask them to try to move a little bit. Stand close in case they lose their balance!
Begin a 'patter' along these lines....
Sins are sometimes described as something that holds us back from being the person God wants us to be. So let's try a few experiments to demonstrate this:
- Show us how much you love your mom.
- Try to reach out to comfort a friend who is grieving.
- Try to praise God.
- Try to hold this Bible.
- Try to show your friend that you care about them.
- Try to give some money to help a poor person.
After you've made your point, unwrap a student slowly, and as you do, talk about how having our sins forgiven, and having Jesus live within us, FREES US to become the people God wants us to be.
How do the sins/bandages come off a person?
- We can ask God to remove them.
- We can break free of them.
- We can realize they don't have power over us (demonstrate these things!)
Dig-Main Content and Reflection:
Play the Unwrap Lazarus Quiz Game
Now....collect the bandages, and "bind up" the other person in your pair as we prepare to play the Unwrap Lazarus Quiz Game. TEAR the Bandages so that you have SIX DIFFERENT BANDAGES binding your partner. Do not cover their eyes/mouth.
Post Game Reflection:
Take the bandages and tie a section to each person's wrist as a reminder of the sins we need God to forgive and free us from so that we can be the best people God wants us to be. Prayer as you tie a bandage to each student's wrist.
Closing:
End with a prayer.
Unwrap Lazarus Quiz Game
Game directions
The kids are grouped in pairs, one bound, one free. The free teammate has a card and marker on which to write their answers to the following questions. The teacher asks each question to the entire group. The team members write down their answer, hiding it from the other teams. Then the teacher ask them to "unbind" their answers (show them). If they get it RIGHT, they can take off one bandage. If they get it WRONG, they must add a bandage (from a bunch of extras which you will provide). First team/pair to lose all their bandages wins!
Adjust these questions to your age group.
Questions:
The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead appears in which gospel?
A. Matthew
B. Mark
C. Luke
D. John *
When Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was ill, Jesus waited around two days before going. What was his reason?
A. He was tired
B. He never really liked Lazarus
C. This illness would show God’s glory *
D. He was afraid that if he went so near Jerusalem, he would be killed.
What are the names of Lazarus’s sisters? (Pick all that apply)
A. Rebecca
B. Martha *
C. Lydia
D. Mary *
In what city did Lazarus and his sisters live?
A. Jerusalem
B. Bethlehem
C. Jericho
D. Bethany *
The disciples warned Jesus against going to Lazarus. Why?
A. It was too near Jerusalem, where there were people who wanted Jesus dead. *
B. They were afraid he would catch Lazarus’ disease.
C. Lazarus was already dead, what was the point of going to him now?
D. They thought Mary was not a very respectable woman.
How long after hearing of Lazarus’ illness did Jesus stay before finally going to Bethany?
A. He went immediately
B. He waited two days *
C. He waited four days.
D. He waited a week.
Jesus said “I am the _________________ and the __________. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
A. I am the Messiah and the Christ.
B. I am the resurrection and the life. *
C. I am the greatest and the Son of God.
D. I am the bread of life and the Christ.
Our memory verse, “I am the resurrection and the life…” comes from what verse of the Bible?
A. Luke 16:20
B. John 3:16
C. John 11:25 *
D. Matthew 5:5
Which other writer makes mention of Lazarus, although his story does not have anything in common with this story?
A. Matthew
B. Mark
C. Luke *
D. Paul
[Lazarus is also the name given by the Gospel According to Luke (16:19–31) to the beggar in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is the only proper name attached to a character in the parables of Jesus.]
Which disciple wanted to go with Jesus to Bethany, saying “Let us also go, that we may die with him?”
A. Peter
B. Thomas *
C. Judas
D. Matthew
When Jesus said, “Lazarus has fallen asleep,” what did the disciples think he meant?
A. That Lazarus had fallen asleep, literally. *
B. That Lazarus was dead.
C. That Lazarus was no longer part of the church.
D. That Lazarus had fallen and could not get up.
Who greeted Jesus as he approached Bethany?
A. Caiaphas
B. Mary
C. Martha*
D. Thomas
Where was Mary when Martha greeted Jesus?
A. Right there next to Martha.
B. Weeping next to Lazarus’ tomb.
C. In Galilee, looking for Jesus.
D. At home, mourning.*
What were Martha’s first words to Jesus?
A. ”Why didn’t you come sooner?”
B. “If I had sent for you sooner, my brother would be alive.”
C. ”Lord if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”*
D. Nothing, she only cried.
Martha said “I believe you are the _____.”
A. Messiah
B. Savior
C. Son of God
D. Both A and C *
Why were there people following Mary when she went to see Jesus?
A. They thought she was going to the tomb.*
B. They also were mourning Lazarus’ death.
C. They wanted to see this man Jesus they had heard so much about.
D. Both A and B.
What were Jesus’ first words to Mary?
A. Do not weep, Mary.
B. Where have you laid him?*
C. Your brother is not dead, but sleeping.
D. He never said anything to Mary.*
[Either B or D as the text is not clear. Jesus said “where have you laid him?” but the fact that the crowd answered him and not Mary makes it uncertain if he was talking to her or to the crowd that came with her.]
When did Jesus begin to weep?
A. When Martha met him on the road to Bethany
B. When he saw Mary weeping.
C. When he saw the crowd weeping
D. When they started leading him to the tomb.*
Which of the following was something NOT said by the crowd of Jewish mourners who followed Mary:
A. Lord, come and see.
B. See how he loved him.
C. Could not he, who opened the eyes of the blind man, have kept this man from dying?
D. Truly, this man is the son of God.*
What was the first thing Jesus did when he arrived at Lazarus’ tomb?
A. Said a prayer.
B. Asked someone to remove the stone.*
C. Spoke to the crowd.
D. Told Lazarus to come out.
Why did Martha think that rolling the stone away was not such a good idea?
A. Lazarus was dead four days and his body had begun to rot and stink.*
B. This was a sacred place and disturbing the tomb was disrespectful.
C. She didn’t want her brother to be raised from the dead.
D. She wanted to wait until some of the stronger men arrived.
After the stone was rolled away, what did Jesus say?
A. “Lazarus come out!”
B. A prayer to God.*
C. Martha, didn’t I tell you you would see the glory of God?
D. Man, that’s one big rock!
What specifically did Jesus say to Lazarus?
A. Lazarus come out!*
B. Lazarus, your sins are forgiven.
C. Lazarus, give us a sign from God!
D. He never spoke to Lazarus.
What parts of Lazarus body were covered with cloth?
A. His head only
B. His head and hands.
C. His head, hands, and feet.*
D. His whole body, head to toe.
After Lazarus came out of the tomb, what did Jesus say?
A. Unbind him and let him go.*
B. This man needs a bath.
C. My friend, welcome home!
D. I am the resurrection and the life.
A lesson posted by member Lisa Martin, with "bandage" demonstration/discussion added by Neil MacQueen
A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.