Scripture: John 11:1-54
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God cares about our problems.
- Students will learn Jesus hurt when his friends hurt and he hurts when we hurt.
- Students will learn nothing is impossible for God if it is within His will.
- Students will learn that when any bad situations occur, God is always capable of bringing good.
Guiding Question: How does God make good things happen in bad situations?
Materials: Plain white poster paper, black construction paper, yellow construction paper, glue, tape, white crayons/colored pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils
Procedure: Review the story of Lazarus raised from the dead from the scriptures above. Emphasize that raising Lazarus was not impossible for Jesus because it was part of God’s plan. Tell the students that even when life feels impossible and we face tough challenges, God will always be there for us and take care of us. Sometimes what we want is not always part of God’s will but He will make good things happen that we did not know could happen or are better than we imagined! Explain that when life is tough, it is important to look for the bright side and good in any situation because good is always there. Sometimes we just have to ask God to really show us.
Put the students into groups. Give each group a large white poster. Have each group cover one half with black paper and the other half with yellow paper. Black represents challenging situations and yellow represents the “bright side”. On the black side, have the students use a write crayon or colored pencil to write bad things that can feel hard to escape from and overcome. Next to it in the yellow side, have the students write how God can help you through it and show you the good in it. Have the students draw an arrow from the problem to the corresponding “bright side”. Have each group share their poster at the end.
Additional Questions: How can we be reminded that God cares for us every day?
Supplemental Activity: Give each student a large square hanging wooden ornament: Have the students write: “God cares for who? God cares for you!” in the middle of the square. Along the edges, have the students find and write Bible verses that will encourage them when they are hurting. Students can decorate when they are done. Tell the students to hang the ornament in a place they will see often in their home.