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Free Workshop Rotation Model Lessons - Season 2

Children’s Sermon

John  11:1-45


Jesus and Lazarus


March 26, 2023

5th Sunday in Lent

Lectionary Year A


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ASK    (a.k.a The On-Ramp)

  • Good morning!
  • I have a question for you – have you ever been sad?
  • What are some things that you have been sad about?
  • And in what ways do you show that you are sad? (sad faces, complaints, crying)


TELL    (a.k.a. The Freeway)

  • One reason that we feel sad (that I heard in a number of the things that you just shared) is when we lose someone or something we care about.
  • And it is okay to feel sad when that happens.
  • In today's story, we hear that Jesus was sad.
  • Jesus was sad because his friend, Lazarus, had died.
  • Lazarus was a close friend of Jesus. The story says Lazarus was a friend that Jesus loved.
  • After Lazarus died, Jesus joined Lazarus' family to grieve and everyone was upset.
  • The story tells us that that's when Jesus wept.
  • But then, after Jesus cried, he prayed.
  • And, after he prayed, with God's help, Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.


SHARE the Good News   (a.k.a. The Destination)

  • Today's story reminds us that sad things happen in life - to everyone.
  • And when those sad things happen, it's ok to feel sad about them and to cry about them.
  • But Jesus in his actions in today's story also reminds us that our sadness is not supposed to be the end of the story; sadness is not where our story stops.
  • So when we are sad, let's remember to do like Jesus did.
  • When we're sad, let's ask God to join us in our sadness.
  • Because when we invite God to join us in our sadness, then God can help us see and know how to receive and then share God's love and healing with those around us - which can often bring new life for us and those around us, just like we saw Jesus do in today’s story.
  • And that's the Good News for today. Let’s pray.


CLOSING Prayer

  • This is a repeat-after-me prayer.

Dear God,
Dear God,
Thank you for Jesus…

Thank you for Jesus…


…who shows us how…

…who shows us how…


…to invite you into our sadness…
…to invite you into our sadness…


…so that your love, healing, and life…
…so that your love, healing, and life…


…can be known and shared.
…can be known and shared.
Thank you and Amen.




Originally posted March 28, 2014
Updated on February 25, 2023
Written and edited by Nathanael Vissia



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