Jesus’ Power over Death

B I B L E  B I T S  &  B I T E S
Devotional for Families

2022 Theme: “Doing Life with Jesus”
Week 9: Jesus’ Power over Death
Weekly Bible Bite: John 11:1-44

Video lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FT04jjh3Q8 (God’s Story – Jesus Raised Lazarus from Death)

Jesus got word that his good friend Lazarus was really sick, but instead of rushing to the town of Bethany were Lazarus and his two sisters, Mary and Martha, lived, he waited. Why did he wait? He was waiting for Lazarus to die…. Wait…what! 

“Yes,” Jesus told his disciples, Lazarus had died, but now he was going to raise him back to life! Why would he do that? Jesus could have healed Lazarus from his sickness, but by raising his friend from the dead, people would have further proof that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus knew that this miracle would help the disciples to grow in their faith, too.

Jesus also knew that this miracle would help his disciples to understand God’s power even more after Jesus himself died…and would then rise from the dead. As the Son of God, Jesus had power over death and knew that physical death was not the end of someone’s story.

Family goal:
Lent is the time of year set aside to give something up (tv, coffee, chocolate, etc.) or do something special (do a service project) to remind us of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the dead. How can your family celebrate Lent this year?__________________
[Be sure to pick a measurable goal involving a task so that children will know when they have completed it.]

Weekly verses:
John 11:25, NLT – “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

Family activities:
• Colour a picture of Jesus and Lazarus newly raised from the dead.
• Write this week’s verse on a poster paper, decorate and put on display.
• Have a little fun wrapping someone in toilet paper, then unwrapping without breaking the roll. If you have enough people in your family, turn it into a competition.

Prayer:
Thank you, God that Jesus showed everyone that he really was God when he raised Lazarus from the dead. This miracle gives us confidence to know that, even though we might die physically, we can live again if we believe in him.