Introduction for Parents

In this Gospel, Jesus reveals both His deep love and His divine power. He allows His friend Lazarus to die, not out of neglect, but to reveal something greater, that He is “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). Jesus enters fully into human sorrow, even weeping at the tomb, showing that God is not distant from our suffering. At the same time, He speaks with authority over death itself, calling Lazarus back to life. This teaches us that death is real and painful, but it is not the end for those who belong to Christ. For adults, an important theme to share with children is that Jesus is both close to us in our sadness and powerful enough to bring hope even in the darkest moments.

This Gospel also invites a response of faith. Jesus asks Martha, and us, “Do you believe this?” (John 11:26). Faith is not only believing that God exists, but trusting in Jesus personally as the source of life. Parents can help their children understand that Jesus calls each of us by name and wants to lead us to new life, even now. Another key theme to discuss is the idea of being “unbound”, just as Lazarus needed help removing the burial cloths. This can open a conversation about how we all need help to grow, to turn away from sin, and to live as children of God.

Home Study Session Instructions for Parents

1. Proclaim the Word: Begin your session with the Sunday Gospel.

Read the Gospel passage yourself first, then read the Gospel to your child. You may also reference the Gospel heard at Mass.
For Younger Children: Use an adapted or children's Bible version to help them understand the narrative.

2. Watch the Lesson Video: Select the video appropriate for your child’s grade level:

3. Review the Slides: Go through the provided slide presentation together. Ensure your child understands the key concepts. Use this time to clarify any questions they have about the Gospel.

4. Family Discussion: Use the Conversation Guide to lead a reflection. This is an opportunity to share faith as a family. Discuss how the materials apply to your daily lives.

5. Submit Attendance: Complete the Google Form after your discussion. Share insights from your family conversation in the form. This submission serves as the official attendance record for the session.

Deadline: Monday, March 23, by the end of the day.

Sunday Gospel Lectionary Version

Sunday Gospel Adapted Version

Videos

Unbound: The Raising of Lazarus

Grades 1 to 5

Out of the Dark: The Raising of Lazarus

Grades 6 to 8

Slide Presentations

From_Shadows_to_Light_(2).pdf

Slide Presentation for Grades 1 to 5

Unbound_(2).pdf

Slide Presentation for Grades 6 to 8

Family Discussion

Instructions

Tips

Setting the Scene

Pick the Right Time: Choose a moment when the family is relaxed, such as after dinner or during a Sunday afternoon. Avoid times when everyone is rushing to the next activity.
Remove Distractions: Put away all phones and turn off the TV. This sends a clear signal that this conversation is the most important thing happening right now.
Open with Prayer: Invite the Holy Spirit to be present. Ask for the courage to be honest and the grace to listen well.

Leading the Conversation

It’s a Dialogue, Not a Quiz: If the session feels like an interrogation, children will shut down. Avoid "correcting" their theology immediately; focus first on their feelings and thoughts.
Go First: Children learn how to share by watching you. When you discuss "modern bindings" like anxiety or bad habits, share a relatable example from your own life. This levels the playing field and builds trust.
Use "I" Statements: Instead of saying, "You need to trust Jesus more," try saying, "I find it hard to trust Jesus when work gets stressful, but I'm trying to remember He is the 'I AM'."
Embrace the Silence: After asking a question, wait. Give everyone time to process. Silence often means people are thinking deeply, not that they have nothing to say.

1. Focus on the "Human" Jesus

Remind the family that Jesus had best friends and experienced human loyalties and fears just like we do. When discussing His "deep, agitated grief" at the tomb , emphasize that our own pain matters to Him in this exact moment.

2. Validate the "Wait"

Acknowledge that God's delays can feel like He is hitting "ignore" on our prayers. Share a time when a "delay" in your life eventually revealed a "greater glory" or a good you couldn't see at the time.

3. The "Unwrapping" Principle

Emphasize that we need each other—our family and our Church—to get fully free from the things that hold us back. Discuss how your family can be the "community" that helps each other "untie" burial cloths like mean words, sadness, or fear.

4. End with Encouragement

The goal is to leave the conversation feeling "unbound". Close by affirming each person’s value. Remind them that Jesus knows them by name and is calling them out of dark places and into the light.

Family Reflection and Conversation

Younger Group & Parents (Grades 1–5)

Focus: Vulnerability, Friendship, and Healing.

Shared Friendship: Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as His best friends. For Kids: If you could invite Jesus to play with you today, what would you do? For Parents: How do you move your relationship with Jesus from a "duty" to a "friendship"?.
The Waiting Room: Sometimes God waits on purpose to do something bigger. For Everyone: What is something our family is waiting for right now? How can we trust God together even when we don't see the answer yet?.
Moving the Stone: The stone was a barrier that felt too heavy to fix. For Kids: What is a "heavy stone" worry you have at school?. For Parents: What "heavy stone" are you trying to carry for the family that you need to hand over to Jesus?.
God Cries With Us: Jesus wept even though He knew the happy ending. For Everyone: It is okay to be sad or angry. How does it feel to know that the Creator of the universe cries with you when you are hurting?.
Small Steps of Light: Jesus gives life, but the community helps "unbind" us. For Everyone: What is one kind thing we can do for a neighbor or each other this week to help them feel "unbound" and happy?

Older Group & Parents (Grades 6–8)

Focus: Personal Authority, Modern Bindings, and Authentic Faith.

The "I AM" Challenge: Jesus doesn't just give life; He is life. For Teens: Does your faith feel like a list of rules or a connection to a Person?. For Parents: In the busyness of parenting, are you focusing more on "what" needs to happen or on "Who" is standing with you in the chaos?.
The Anatomy of Bindings: We all bring burial cloths (bad habits/fears) out of the tomb with us. For Teens: Which "binding" feels the tightest right now: the Mind (anxiety), the Hands (phone/screens), or the Feet (peer pressure)?. For Parents: What adult "bindings" (pride, workaholism, or unforgiveness) are your kids seeing you struggle with?.
The Cost of Miracles: Raising Lazarus essentially signed Jesus’ death warrant. For Everyone: Jesus walked into the shadow of death so we could walk into the light. Knowing the "cost" of His love, how does that change the way you want to live this week?.
Evidence vs. Trust: Some people saw the miracle and still reported Jesus to be killed. For Everyone: If you saw a miracle today, would it change your life or would you try to explain it away?. Do you trust Him with your life, or just the parts you can control?.
Family Freedom: Christ leaves the "unwrapping" to the community. For Everyone: How can we as a family help each other "get fully free"? Is there a habit or a secret sadness we can help each other carry?.

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