Talk about

For children

Discuss with the children

So what might we learn about Jesus from this story. What is the sign here?

Why do you think this story was told?

You may find that children want to talk about the realities of death, what happens to a body and so on. Whilst some will want gruesome details, others really won’t — be sensitive to your own group.

In the Orthodox Church celebrating this event is a really important festival and Lazarus is thought of as a saint. There are many legends about what happened to Lazarus afterwards. The Orthodox traditions have stories of how he escaped to Cyprus and became their first bishop. See Further resources list for more information.

This may be an opportunity for children to talk about their own experiences of people dying.

If you are using the Lent Journey map material then this may be a time to reiterate that this week’s story is also a story that comes at the end of the path.

What does ‘unbind him and let him go’ really mean?

Decide together what symbol should be on this week’s signpost.

For young people

Death and resurrection

Set out ground rules for speaking and listening. Talk about everyone’s ideas being valid and the importance of taking each other seriously. Engage the young people in a conversation about death.

• Have they experienced the loss of a loved one?
• How did they feel; how did other members of their family feel?
• Did they attend the funeral?
• What happened?

Invite them to share what they believe and what puzzles them. Let them express doubts as well as faith. Be prepared to be honest about what you believe but don’t think you have the right answers to tell them.

Follow on from the conversation about fear from the beginning of the session. Ensure you discuss this now after hearing the Bible passage.

• Martha and Mary were afraid. Their brother was dead. They turned to Jesus. What would you do when you have to face any of your fears?
• We don’t expect Jesus to raise people from the dead but how can we trust in him to make things better for us?
• What healing can we ask for?
• Think about the things you are afraid of. Is there any way you can overcome this fear and live a fearless life?
• What does it mean to be fearless?
• If we are not afraid does it mean we act recklessly. How does it enable us to do things we didn’t think we could manage?

Think about TV programmes that show people pushing themselves to their limits. They talk about conquering their fear and feeling more alive. Can the young people see how this might work for them? Through conquering our fear, through Jesus taking away our fears, we can be given new life.