NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passages: John 11:25-27, 38-44
Discussion Questions:
- How does it comfort and encourage you that Jesus has the power over death?
Food for Thought by Dan Darling:*
There’s nothing as difficult as the sudden, tragic loss of a family member. Death came quickly for Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha of Bethany. They were close friends and disciples of Jesus. Between the time word of the death got to Jesus and the time He arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days.
The text says that Jesus was “deeply moved” (John 11:38) as He came to the tomb of His friend. Yet, Jesus brought more than sorrow to this funeral; He brought resurrection and life.
Martha was a believer in Jesus. She understood that He is “the Messiah, the Son of God, Who comes into the world” (v. 27). She believed that if Jesus had been present, perhaps Lazarus wouldn’t have died. But what Martha didn’t quite grasp in this moment was that Jesus wasn’t a mere way to channel God’s healing power.
Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” (v. 25). This is the most profound of Jesus’ “I am” statements. The God-man is in Himself the resurrection and the life – not only for Lazarus, but for everyone who believes in Him.
* Daniel Darling, a pastor, author, professor and public speaker, directs the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students, and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife.
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