Children's Liturgy Guide

5th Sunday of Lent

Year A · Lent

Jesus Brings Lazarus Back

Reading: John 11:1-45

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus had a good friend named Lazarus who got very sick and died. Jesus loved Lazarus and his family so much that he cried with them. Then Jesus did something amazing: he called Lazarus out of the tomb and brought him back to life!

Key Points

  • Jesus loved Lazarus, Mary, and Martha as dear friends
  • Jesus wept because he truly cared about their sadness
  • Jesus has power over death because he is the Son of God
  • Jesus wants us to trust him even when sad things happen
  • This miracle shows us that Jesus gives us life

Background

This lengthy Gospel contains layers of Johannine theology: Jesus as Resurrection and Life, the interplay of belief and sight, and foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection. Martha's confession of faith ('You are the Christ, the Son of God') is a high Christological moment. Jesus' deliberate delay and his weeping reveal both divine purpose and genuine human emotion. For children, emphasize the concrete, heartfelt elements: Jesus loved his friends, he cried with them, and he called Lazarus out of the tomb by name. Set aside abstract discussions of eternal life, glory, or the theological significance of the 'I am' statement. Focus on Jesus as someone who loves us, shares our sadness, and has the power to help us.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us so much. Help us to trust you when we feel sad, and help us to believe that you are always with us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever felt really sad and then someone you loved came to help you feel better?

Example: One time my grandma was sick and I was really sad, but then my mom gave me a big hug and stayed with me and that helped me feel not so alone.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so good when someone who loves us comes to be with us when we are sad. In today's reading, we will hear about a time when Jesus came to help his friends who were very, very sad because someone they loved had died.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who was the friend of Jesus that got very sick and died?

    Example: It was Lazarus who got sick and died. He was a good friend of Jesus and lived with his sisters.

  2. What were the names of Lazarus's two sisters who sent for Jesus?

    Example: His sisters were named Mary and Martha. They sent a message to Jesus because their brother was very sick.

  3. What did Jesus do when he saw Mary and the others crying?

    Example: Jesus cried too. The Bible says that Jesus wept because he was so sad to see his friends hurting.

  4. What did Jesus say to make Lazarus come out of the tomb?

    Example: Jesus called out in a loud voice and said Lazarus, come out! And Lazarus walked right out of the tomb.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus cried with his sad friends?

    Example: It makes me feel good because Jesus understands when I am sad too. He really cares about how we feel inside.

  2. What could you do to help a friend at school who is feeling sad about something?

    Example: I could sit with them and maybe give them a hug or say something nice so they know I care about them.

  3. This week, who is someone you could pray for and ask Jesus to help?

    Example: I could pray for my little cousin because he has been sick and I want Jesus to help him feel better soon.

Recap

Today we heard about how Jesus loved his friend Lazarus so much. When Lazarus died, Jesus cried with the family because he truly cared. Then Jesus called Lazarus out of the tomb and brought him back to life! Jesus loves us that much too, and he is always with us, especially when we are sad.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For anyone in our families who is sick or sad, that Jesus will comfort them and help them feel his love, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we hear the priest say 'Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,' we remember that Jesus has power over everything, even death, just as he showed when he called Lazarus back to life.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and for being with us when we are sad. Help us to trust in you always and to share your love with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Brings Lazarus Back

John 11:1-45

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

A E S M Y I Y G U F A B U N N
A F I M E E V E I L E B M E Y
U I S Q L D V L R D Y P A B A
T L T H O J Q A T G P Y H A W
Y S E X V W L H W L E J T M L
P W R J E S U S G I N Q R T C
Z U S E H X V R B J Q V A O J
F P B E N H C H C L S H M Y W
Y S M K W C Y M R J U C Y C M
T T F C A C B Z Y Z R A E N K
G P T R M R K Z I D A L L O W
T G J O I G G L N B Z L V T Q
M X X X M E H T G F A E N H Q
Y T N C S B N D T X L D V H Z
C C L M A R Y D B T E T E G O

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Lazarus
  • Martha
  • Mary
  • tomb
  • life
  • love
  • friend
  • crying
  • believe
  • called
  • sisters

ChildrensLiturgy.org