Small Group Lesson Plan for March 25th: The Book of John 11:17-37

Read John 11:17-37

There’s so much good content in these verses. We see Jesus’ heart for the people he loves (which incredibly also includes you and me!). He’s touched by the grief of Martha and Mary and even gently handles Martha’s initial attack in verse 21. Notice that Jesus never rebukes her for this statement but moves her into a position and posture of faith in the possible on this side of heaven because of Jesus (verses 25/26). I think it’s also important to note how moved Jesus was by the community that had rallied around Martha and Mary (verses 33-35), despite their grumbling in v. 37. We need to keep this response in mind as we rally around each other and support each other in prayer and love as we navigate life’s blessings and pain.

Is it hard for you to know and believe that Jesus knows your pain and more importantly, feels your pain? Why do you think it’s important for us to know that Jesus empathizes with us?

Read John 11:38-44

Why does Jesus heal Lazarus despite knowing the negative attention this act will bring from the Pharisees? (Read verses 47-48) I think we find a piece to this answer in verses 41 and 42. It had to be an incredible thing to witness, Jesus speaking a command into a grave and a dead man walking out of that grave just moments later, still wrapped in his grave clothes. Could you imagine witnessing this? Could you imagine seeing this all play out in front of you and then still not believing that Jesus came to seek and to save you? And yet, we see in verse 47 that some of the people who witnessed this miracle reported it directly to the Pharisees knowing how they would react and respond. 

So what do we need to ponder here? Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead - why? 

Lazarus still eventually died - he didn’t get death immunity from Jesus. When we’re praying for Jesus to show up and change our circumstance or heal, what do we really want or need? How do we respond when our prayer isn’t answered? 

There’s a lot to unpack with this chapter and maybe an hour wasn’t enough time to search your heart and see how God’s challenging you and calling you deeper into a relationship with him through this chapter. If I can leave you with the encouragement to take at least 15 minutes per day for the rest of the week and read through John chapter 11, maybe even just a few verses at a time, and lean into what God has for you.