Leader Guide

Activity

Divide the children into two teams. Give each child a domino. Assign each team a table. Have each team place their dominoes in the form of a cross on their table. Have them place the dominoes flat—not standing up—on the table to form a cross similar to the illustration. The dominoes do not have to be perfectly straight. Assist as necessary to align the dominoes correctly. Have both teams line up behind the mark/line.

Great job on making your crosses! We have been talking about Lazarus’s death and resurrection. Lazarus had been in the tomb for 4 days, but did he stay in the tomb? No.

How was Lazarus able to live again—was it because of his own power and will to live? No.

It was because of Jesus’ power. Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “Jesus is the source of life.”

When Jesus died on the cross, He set us free from sin and death to have new life in Him. All we need to do is ask Him into our hearts and trust Him.

Optional: read 1 Peter 2:24:

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.

In our game today, our dominoes are lying down, but we are going to raise them up again to symbolize the resurrection of both Jesus and Lazarus. The cross also symbolizes the new life we have in Him that gives us the power to live for God today! Are you ready to play?

Start the race. The first player from each team runs to the table and stands up one domino—any domino. The player then runs back to the line and the next player takes a turn. The first team to raise up their entire cross wins! Caution the children that the game gets harder as more dominoes are standing, as they can fall down easily. Important—each player may only stand up one domino per turn, so when dominoes are accidently knocked over, it will take more turns for that team to raise the cross!

Conclusion: When we see a cross, remember that Jesus is the source of life for us—both here on the earth and for all eternity up in heaven.

Read John 11:25–26:

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in Me and believes in Me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

Jesus asked Martha if she believed. All we must do is believe to receive new life from Jesus.