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In Sunday’s Gospel, a dear friend of Jesus has died. When Jesus learns about Lazarus’s death, he weeps in sorrow. We see Jesus’ power and the glory of God when Jesus raises Lazarus from death. Lazarus will die again someday; his resuscitation is different than Jesus’ Resurrection to eternal life. On Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, we will be hearing Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Passion and Death. We will hear John’s account of these events on Good Friday.
Talking with children about death can be tricky if we let our own fears or discomfort with the topic get in the way. But death is a natural part of all life, and children need our help to navigate the feelings and questions that come with the death of a loved one. Carole Eipers has written a booklet How to Talk to Children About Death in which she offers simple information for adults, practical guidance for talking to children about death, and suggestions for activities and prayers. She addresses these questions with sensitivity and through the perspective of our Catholic faith: What does death mean? How do we experience loss? What can we do when someone is dying? Why do people die? What happens when people die? What’s a funeral? How can we remember people who have died? Should I be afraid? What does Jesus say about dying? How do we go on living after a death? Additional guidance for talking with children about death can be found on the website of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Let us pray: Jesus, Good Shepherd, you care for us. We are sad when someone dies. But you promise we will all live in Heaven with you one day. We pray that all who die will enjoy Heaven forever. Amen.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Holy Heroes
• The Death and Resurrection of Lazarus
• Biblemations John 11: The Death of Lazarus
• Raising of Lazarus
• Lazarus, Come Out!
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Lent
• Ash Wednesday & Lent in 60 Seconds. With LEGO!
• Lent: Catholic Central
• Lent in 3 Minutes
• Cardinal Timothy Dolan: What Is Lent?
• What Is Lent?
• The Stations of the Cross with Bishop Barron (You may wish to show this in segments to your group or select one or two stations at a time.)
• The Catholic VR Experience: The Stations of the Cross (Virtual Reality)
• 10 Fun Things You Might Not Know About Lent
• Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Lent Episode (featuring John Burland)
• Songs to Journey with Jesus During Lent, Featuring Miss Heidi and John Burland
Other Resources
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
• Special Message from Pope Leo to Young People (NCYC | November 21, 2025)
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Jesus has friends.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, pencils, scissors, small envelopes, a Bible, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and a Church year calendar. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
Lazarus’s death and return to life is a foreshadowing of Jesus’ own Resurrection. Young children will not be able to grasp this meaning, but they will be able to identify the feelings of Martha, Mary, and Jesus and recognize them as feelings they experience in their lives. This week, the children will play a memory game. You may wish to cut the cards on pages 3 and 4 in advance.
On March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On page TG4-36 of the Seeds Teaching Guide, you can find a bonus reproducible activity for the children to do during class or at home.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus cares about his friends.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, glue sticks, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), and a Church Year calendar. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance.
Sunday’s Gospel reveals that Jesus felt great sadness at the death of his friend Lazarus. Promise children will be invited to identify all feelings as gifts from God. Recognizing that Jesus had human feelings will lead the children to recognize that they can share all their feelings with God in prayer. You will help them to make realistic and specific promises to Jesus about where and when they will pray. Plan to ask how they are following through with their prayer commitments in your upcoming sessions.
On March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On page TG4-36 of the Promise Teaching Guide, you can find a bonus reproducible activity for the children to do during class or at home.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Good News
Lesson Theme: We believe that Jesus brings us new life.
For this lesson, you will need pencils, scissors, tape, Bibles (one per pair of children), and a Church Year calendar.
Sunday’s Gospel reveals that Jesus felt great sadness at the death of his friend Lazarus. Death is a difficult topic for people of any age. The death of a pet is introduced in the story, “A Sad Time for Peter.” Be especially sensitive to those children who have had recent losses of loved ones or beloved pets.
Following the story, we encourage you to discuss what happens when people die. Discipline yourself to listen to the children’s questions and to the answers they give you before attempting a response. Death and resurrection are big mysteries of our faith as well as our physical lives. Give the children an opportunity to talk about these topics. Your faith in the Resurrection will nourish the children’s faith even if you think your answers are not theologically sophisticated. Find a list of points to make on page TG4-10 of your Teaching Guide.
What Lent Means to Us / Significado de la Cuaresma is a seasonal resource you may wish to use this Lent. The children will classify different actions as Praying, Sharing (almsgiving), or Fasting.
On March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On page TG4-36 of the Good News Teaching Guide, you can find a bonus reproducible activity for the children to do during class or at home.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Venture
Lesson Theme: We believe that Jesus brings new life.
For this lesson, you will need pens or pencils, dice, scissors, Bibles (one per child), and Liturgical Year calendar. Before class, make sure to try out the folding activity on the cover, but don’t glue or staple it together since you will need to be able to read the story on pages 2–3.
Last week, the children heard the story of the man born blind. This is a miracle story. This Sunday, we hear another miracle story—the raising of Lazarus from the tomb. Share with the children that Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were Jesus’ good friends.
Ask: What risks would you take for a friend? Make sure the children understand that this isn’t meant to be a dare or dangerous. Instead, encourage them to consider the risks they might take to be compassionate, stand up for another, or include an outsider. The children will have the opportunity to discuss “risky” real-life scenarios.
On March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On page TG4-36 of the Venture Teaching Guide, you can find a bonus reproducible activity for the children to do during class or at home.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Holocaust Remembrance: Honor the Victims
• Corporal Works of Mercy – Catholic Central
• Spiritual Works of Mercy – Catholic Central
Visions
Lesson Theme: Who gives us life?
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, coloring tools, lined paper, and Bibles (one per student).
Last week, the young people heard the story of the man born blind. This is a miracle story. This Sunday, we hear another miracle story—the raising of Lazarus from the tomb. Share with the young people that Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, are Jesus’ good friends. Encourage a discussion of friendship after the young people complete the “Friends and Feelings” survey (page 1).
Explain that Jesus risked his life to return to Bethany when he heard that his friend Lazarus was sick and close to death. Ask the young people what they “risk” for their friends. This is not to encourage risky or dangerous behavior. It’s more about social risks—being loyal and caring to friends, or perhaps welcoming people as friends who might otherwise be outsiders.
On March 25, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. On page TG4-36 of the Venture Teaching Guide, you can find a bonus reproducible activity for the children to do during class, or at home.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• How Carlo Acutis Became God’s Influencer, Saint of the Internet
• The Life of Blessed Carlo Acutis (Now Saint)
• The Incredible Life of Carlo Acutis
• Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
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