ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES date
3.12
Standing at the graveside seemed so final—but deep inside we knew it wasn’t. Inspire (for parents) I held my son’s hand tightly as we stood at the graveside of my father, Steven, and Kevin’s precious grandfather. The boys grew up with Grandpa Pounds living nearby. They were always greeted with a warm, “Hey there buddies!” and offered endless snacks. Grandpa’s greatest joy was watching his grandchildren play baseball. He was a lifetime Little League coach, and nothing gave him more pleasure than seeing his grandsons whack the ball and race around the bases.
Grandpa loved the Lord. It was obvious that Jesus was with him throughout his illness, keeping his spirit strong and giving him strength to delight in his favorite pastime, Little League baseball. His last days were spent at the neighborhood baseball field, which eventually became named in his honor. To see a sports field with Grandpa’s name on it is a wonderful tribute to his life here on earth, but Grandpa’s life in heaven is the true celebration for our family. Jesus has power over death.
by Sue Funkhouser Grandpa Pounds was diagnosed with terminal cancer when my sons were just eight and six years old. As Grandpa grew weaker, they became more curious about death. Why does Grandpa have to die? What happens when we die? What is heaven like? Is s Lazarus) 11 (Jesus Raise Jesus there? We talked through Scripture: John er Death us Has Power Ov the questions, we read books, Main Point: Jes your family to we cried, and we prayed. But on signed to allow de is ce ur so re This your children d’s Word before the day Grandpa died, my young Go in e tim ve ha n is for parents Because God’s pla children had to come face-to-face ren’s faith, attend church. rers of their child rtu nu l ua irit sp with the power of death. Standing e to be th lly, your children you grow spiritua as at th at the graveside seemed so final— ow kn we lly as well. but deep inside we knew it wasn’t. will grow spiritua
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Equip (for parents)
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died,” [Mary said]. When Jesus saw her weeping … he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. (John 11:32–35)
REM “For EMB I am ER v deat conv ers h no E i n c e nor r dept life ... n d that n h e e in al l cre , nor an ither he ither atio y sepa i g t h ht in n, r that ate us f will be g else ab ro is in Rom This is the moment directly before Chri m the l le to ans o s 8:38 t Jesu ve of G –39 Jesus raised Lazarus from death. This s ou r Lor od passage is extremely moving. In verse d.” 33, the words “deeply moved” come from the Greek word embrimaomai. This word is used to describe deep anger and frustration. Why would Jesus be angry and frustrated at this moment? Some say He was angry at their lack of faith. But others suggest that Jesus was angry at death itself—the great enemy. His anger could also have been linked to the grief that death inflicted upon the people He loved. After this, Jesus showed another strong emotion: sadness. When the mourners told Jesus to “come and see” where Lazarus had been laid, “Jesus wept.” In the original language, the mourners were wailing: klaio. In contrast, “Jesus wept”: dakryo. He shed tears of empathy. Those who saw Him weep said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:37). When Jesus heard this, He was again “deeply moved”—embrimaomai. Full of this emotion Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!” (v. 43). In this passage, Jesus used His power to glorify God and prove He is the One who can save us from the enemy of death. Because many believed in Him after this, the high priest worried there would be an uprising and decided Jesus must die. Yet, what he did not know is that Jesus would rise again.
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(for parents & kids) Just for fun, play a game of hide-andgo-seek with your kids this week. When you can’t find each other, call, “come out, come out, wherever you are!” Gather your family and tell them you are going to read about a time when Jesus called His friend to “come out.” Then read John 11:32–44. Be amazed together that Jesus has power over death, including His own. Because of this, He has the power to give life to all who believe in Him. Ask your children how they think the people watching felt when they saw Lazarus walk out of his tomb. Then, discuss how Jesus loved Lazarus and his family enough to weep with them. Share with them that Jesus loves them that much too. Ask: “Is there anything you want to talk to Jesus about that is making you sad?” Share a time of prayer together, talking to God about whatever is on your heart. Remind your children that what they just heard is a part of The Big God Story in the Bible. Tell them in church this week they will hear more about how Jesus has power over death.
© 2011 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.