So why am I all wrapped up like this and what does it have to do with Jesus?
Let's go find out.
Now, do you know what this is?
It's a Bible, and it's all about God's story and how he rescued us.
In the beginning, God made the whole world and everything in it.
He made the sun and moon and planets and stars.
He made forests and mountains and oceans.
He made all kinds of animals, like lions and elephants and birds.
Next, God made his most special creation of all - people, like you and me.
The first two people were named Adam and Eve.
They lived in a beautiful garden filled with flowers and trees and fruit.
They got to spend time with God every day, and it was all good.
Can you show good?
Awesome.
Then something sad happened.
Can you show me sad?
A snake lied to Adam and Eve, and they believed him and disobeyed God.
Then all the wrong things came into the world, like sickness and sadness and death.
But the story doesn't stop there.
Because even though Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God still loved them,
just like he loves us
And he came up with a rescue plan so that Adam and Eve and you and me could be
close to God again.
And our Rescuer is Jesus.
Can you show the sign for Jesus?
Great job.
Now, do you have friends that you like to play with and talk to?
I bet you do.
Friends are really important.
Did you know that Jesus had friends, too.
He was friends with Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus.
And one day, Lazarus got sick.
When Jesus finally got to Lazarus's house, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Lazarus's family was so sad, and they wished Jesus had gotten there sooner so he could
have made Lazarus better.
But remember, Jesus is powerful, and he can do anything.
Let's see what happens next.
God's Story: Lazarus
So part of God's story is about how Jesus brought a man back to life, and it goes like this.
Jesus had three really good friends: Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus.
One day Lazarus got really sick.
He was so sick that he might die.
Mary and Martha knew the only one who could heal Lazarus was Jesus so they sent someone
to find him.
They found Jesus traveling and telling people about God.
Now you might think that Jesus would rush to heal his friend, but instead of leaving
right away Jesus stayed where he was for two more days.
See, Jesus knew something no one else knew.
Lazarus had died but Jesus was going to bring him back to life.
So that they would believe that Jesus really was the Son of God when Jesus finally got
to Lazarus's house, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Mary and Martha were heartbroken.
Martha said, "Jesus, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
Martha didn't understand at first what Jesus meant was that he would actually bring Lazarus
back to life here on Earth.
Jesus was saying because he's the Son of God.
He's more powerful than death.
After that, Martha's sister Mary ran to Jesus and fell at his feet.
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
When Jesus saw her crying, he was so sad.
In fact, when Jesus came to the tomb where Lazarus was buried, he cried too.
His friend, who he loved so much, was dead.
Kids, have you ever felt sad because of something that happened to you or
someone you cared about?
Just like us, Jesus felt pain and sadness because of what happened to his friend.
Then Jesus told some people to roll away the big heavy stone in front of the tomb.
He looked up and prayed, "Father, I know that you always hear me."
Then he called out in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."
And then, Lazarus walked out.
This man who had been dead for four days was now standing in front of everyone walking
and talking and alive.
The people were amazed.
You see, Jesus knew all along that he could bring Lazarus back to life.
Jesus wanted people to see who he was, the Son of God.
He wanted people to see God's greatness, that God could do anything, even bring someone
back from the dead.
And Jesus was about to do something even more incredible.
He himself was about to die for us, be buried in a tomb for three days and then come back
to life.
And he did it to rescue us from all of our pain, sadness and wrong choices.
And when we believe in him, we get to be a part of God's family forever.
And that's the story of Lazarus.
So in case you missed it, here's the quick version.
Jesus's friend Lazarus got sick.
Lazarus died.
His sisters were really sad.
Jesus was sad, too.
Jesus brought Lazarus back to life.
Later, Jesus died.
He came back to life, too.
And he was able to do it all because he's God's son.
And that's a part of God's story.
Can you believe it?
Lazarus was dead for four whole days.
He was wrapped up in cloth and buried in a tomb.
And all his friends and family were so sad.
Jesus even cried because he loved Lazarus and was sad that he died.
But then Jesus did something that no one but God could ever do.
Jesus brought Lazarus back to life.
Lazarus started walking and talking and was totally completely alive.
And when that happened, people saw that Jesus was powerful enough to do anything, even raise
someone from the dead.
Jesus is powerful in other ways, too.
Sometimes when we feel sad, we need Jesus to comfort us, and he can.
Sometimes when we feel scared, we need Jesus to help us, and he can.
Jesus is powerful enough to help us get through any sad or scary thing.
Remember, Jesus is powerful.
Let's pray to God right now.
When we pray, that means we talk with God and listen to him and he listens to us, too.
You can say these words after me.
Hey, God.
We love you.
You are more powerful than anything.
Amen.
Now, let's worship.
We're going to give all our attention to Jesus.
So everyone stand up and sing as loud as you can while we sing the special song.
When the thunder's loud, and the lightning's bright
And you don't know how to escape your fright
Say you go away now, I'm not afraid.
I might be little but my big friend ain't.
His name is God, and with him I'm brave
So you go away now, I'm not afraid.
When the nightmares come and you wake in the night
Know that God is strong
And for you, he'll fight
Say you go away now
I'm not afraid
I might be little, but my big friend ain't
His name is God
And with him I'm brave
So you go away now
I'm not afraid
When the lights go out
And you get real scared
All alone in the dark
Even then God's there
Say you go away now
I'm not afraid
I might be little
But my big friend ain't
His name is God
And with him I'm brave
So you go away now
I'm not afraid
You go away now
I'm not afraid
I might be little
But my big friend ain't
His name is God
And with him I'm brave
So you go away now
I'm not afraid
Thanks for hanging out with me
Don't forget to like and subscribe to this channel
And more importantly remember Jesus is powerful