You can act out the story as a play.  You'll need at least four actors.  If you have lots of actors, you can always have more disciples and friends.

Roles: Jesus, Disciples, Mary, Martha, Friends, Lazarus

Costumes: Try to put together some costumes for the roles.  Get creative.

Props: You'll need to find something to use for the stone in front of Lazarus' tomb.

Reading Lines: You can either memorize your lines, or you can print out the text.  If you print out the text, use a highlighter to mark the lines that you say.

This play was written by Little Bible Teacher.

Scene 1: The Countryside

Actors on Stage: Jesus and the Disciples

[Jesus] It's time we head south to Judea.

[A disciple] But last time we were there they tried to kill you.  That wasn't too long ago.  Are you sure you want to go back there?

[Jesus] How many hours of light are there in a day?

[A disciple] Twelve.

[Jesus] That's right.  When people walk in the light, they don't trip because they have light from the sun.  It's only at night that people trip because they can't see the light.

[A disciple] But why must we go to back to Judea?

[Jesus] You remember our friends--Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  Lazarus is sleeping right now.  I need to wake him up.

Disciples look puzzled.

[A disciple] If Lazarus is asleep, I'm sure he'll be fine.  It's not worth going back for that.

[Jesus] I mean Lazarus is dead.  And I'm glad I wasn't there so you'll have the opportunity to believe.  We will go to him, now.

[A disciple] But Mary and Martha sent a messenger two days ago saying Lazarus was sick.  Why didn't we go then?

[Jesus] As I told you then, the sickness is not to death.  It's an opportunity to see God's glory.  This brings glory to the Son of God.

[A disciple to another disciple] What choice do we have but to go back with him.  We'll probably all be killed.

Scene 2: The town of Bethany

Actors on Stage: Jesus and the Disciples

[A disciple] Someone is coming from the town.

Enter a friend

[A Friend] You've come too late.  Lazarus has been dead four days.  But I'm glad you're here.  Maybe you can be of some comfort to Mary and Martha.  I'll take you to them.

[Jesus] Bring me to him.

Martha enters.

[Martha] Jesus, if you had been here with us, my brother wouldn't have died.  But I know that even now God will do anything you ask.

[Jesus] Your brother will rise again.

[Martha] Yes, I know there will be a resurrection at the last day when everyone will rise again.

[Jesus] I am the resurrection and the life.  Everyone who trusts me has life.  Anyone who lives and trusts me never truly dies.  Martha, do you trust what I'm saying?

[Martha] I know you're the Christ, the Son of God.

Mary and friends enter.

[Mary] Jesus, if you had been here, my brother wouldn't have died!

[Jesus] (Looks upset)  Where have you put him?

[A Friend] Come and see.  We'll take you to his tomb.

Jesus wipes a tear.

[A Friend to another Friend] Look how fond he was of Lazarus.

[Friend Replies Back] I heard he even healed blind people.  Didn't he care enough about Lazarus to stop him from dying?

[Martha] (Pointing.) The tomb is there.

[Jesus] Take away the stone from the entrance.

[Martha] Oh, Jesus.  He's been dead four days.  There will be a terrible smell.

[Jesus] Didn't I say if you would trust me, you would see the glory of God?

Friends take away the stone.  Jesus kneels on the ground and look up in prayer.

[Jesus] I thank you Father for hearing me.  I know you always hear me, but I said these things because of the other people here.  I want them to trust you sent me.

Jesus stands.

[Jesus] Lazarus.  Come out.

Lazarus approaches the group wrapped in the clothing he was buried in.

[Jesus] Take off the grave clothes and let him go free.