Family Sunday: Fixed on Jesus
Its finally family Sunday again! Often, at the end of the month we change up the service format on a Sunday morning to make it fun and engaging for the whole family. Instead of offering Kids Church, we all stay in the sanctuary together and learn, worship, and celebrate as one big family.
This week, we’re talking about staying “Fixed on Jesus” and looking at the Story of Jesus Raising Lazarus from the dead.
The Raising of Lazarus, central panel of the triptych of the resurrection of Lazarus, c.1530 (oil on panel), Leyden, Aertgen Claesz van (1498-1564)
Questions to Ponder:
Have you prayed for something that God answered, but he did it very slowly? Reflect on how that situation turned out and what God’s timing did? (Note - you don’t have to only list “positive” things, God’s timing might have been hard. It’s important to reflect on that, too!)
Have you ever thought God had left you or forgotten you? What brings on those feelings? Where can we turn in Scripture to be reminded of the truth? If you’re not sure - look up Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, Genesis 28:15, and Joshua 1:5!
John 11:35 is a famous verse because it is the shortest one in the bible: “Jesus wept.” But these two words tell us so much about Jesus - spend a moment and meditate on these words, let your mind picture it, compare this with all your other thoughts about God’s attributes - how do these words shape our relationship with Jesus?
Think about how this story makes you want to be like Jesus - what comes to mind? What would you want to imitate about Jesus in this story?
The Theme for Kids:
In this deceptively simple video, all of us, from full range of emotions are engaged as we are curious with the ones grieving, we’re skeptical with the disciples, we’re in dispair with Mary and Martha, and we celebrate with everyone when Jesus does the unexpected and raises Lazarus from the dead.
The Theme in Song:
This song is a story and a celebration. The first verse describes our state without Christ, dead in our sins, but complacent and lethargic - but Jesus invades our darkness, comes near to us and calls us up into full life with him. It’s a wonderful picture and this song captures the celebration of life in Jesus.