Author: flowmaster

Proverbs 1:5-33 // A Word To The Wise

This week’s questions are taken from Kenton Beshore’s book, A Father’s Wisdom. This 5-week flow question based study on the book Proverbs is an excellent option for your group to use in the shortened summer session. A Father’s Wisdom includes a participant guide as well as leader notes and can be purchased in the Global Bookstore.

Lean In // 5 minutes

What is one piece of wise advice you’ve been given that paid off (or didn’t pan out)?

Sample answers may include…

  • Marriage advice
  • Job advice
  • Parenting advice

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Proverbs 1:5-33

What do you learn about the wise?

Sample answers may include…

  • Listen to the proverbs and become wiser
  • Those with understanding receive guidance
  • Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge
  • Listen to mother and father
  • Will have honor
  • Turn their backs on sinners
  • Stay away from traps
  • Will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm

What do you learn about the unwise?

Sample answers may include…

  • Despise wisdom and discipline
  • Insist on being simpleminded
  • Are mocked
  • Hate knowledge
  • Would not come when God called
  • Paid no attention when God reached out
  • Rejected the correction God offered
  • God will laugh at them when they are in trouble and mock when overtaken by disaster
  • God will not answer when they cry for help
  • Will search for God, but not find Him
  • Hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord
  • Rejected God’s advice
  • Paid no attention when God corrected them
  • Eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes
  • Turn away from God to death, destroyed by their own complacency

Look Out // 15 minutes

Think of a person you know who seems wise and describe his/her life.

Leader Note: Allow 5-7 minutes for these questions. They will get your group to look at those around them that seem to take wise counsel, make wise choices and have lived lives that, although not necessarily charmed, have proven to be successful. Your group may think of parents, bosses, teachers or public figures. You may have group members who think of godly men or women who, although may not be successful as the world defines it, have led rich lives because of biblical wisdom.

Think of a person you know who seems foolish and describe his/her life.

Leader Note: Caution your group to not name names on this question. It is worthwhile to look at lives, whether from our personal life or in the public eye, who seem to have made unwise choices and are therefore paying the consequences.

You may want to lead your group as this may be a difficult question for members to answer. Possibly you know someone who has not been living within their means and paying the price in indebtedness or even bankruptcy, or possibly even someone who relishes in rage and has paid the price of broken relationships. Again, what we want to come out here is the difference between wide and unwise choices in our lives.

Look In // 20 minutes

What is a lesson from the passage that you will apply this week? What will that look like?

Leader Note: Take as much time as necessary to reflect on the passage that describes wise living and let each person choose a verse and explain how that verse will impact his or her choices this week. Some examples of answers could be from verse 5 that says “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser.”

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who could you impact by living out the truth of the passage?

Prayer: Spend the end of your time together in prayer. First thank God for the gift of wisdom and for the promise He will generously give it when you ask. Pray for one another to hear God’s voice when you need help with making choices. 

Luke 6:12-26 // Standing On The Scale: What If Wk 7

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some truths that you’ve had to test before believing?

 Sample answers may include…

  • Hand on a hot stove
  • Speeding gets you a ticket
  • Cloudy days still equal sunburn
  • Too much sugar makes you sick
  • New parents are sleep deprived

 Look Down // 10 minutes

 Read Luke 6:12-16

 What do you learn about Jesus’ choosing of the apostles?

 Sample answers may include…

  • Jesus’ first move was to get alone with God
  • He took the decision very seriously, prayed through the night!
  • Understood what was at stake (Gospel message and the Church!)
  • He sought out the disciples and chose them to be his apostles (“sent ones”)

Commentary: It is important to remember how disciple school worked in their context.  A student had to become the best-of-the-best before they could ask a rabbi to become his disciple.  Jesus reversed this process for His Disciples.  Scripture teaches us that He chose them and they were people that were overlooked for such an important calling.  In essence, Jesus said, “I believe you can be like me.”  And, these disciples or apostles were the very ones that Jesus sent, based on His authority, to begin and build His Church, which is why Jesus got alone to pray…through the night! 

Read Luke 6:17-26

What are the surprises in the passage?

 Sample answers may include…

  • The blessings and the woes?
  • The poor // The rich
  • The hungry // The happy
  • The persecuted // The popular
  • The contrast between two kingdoms: The World and God’s Kingdom
  • The poor, hungry, heartbroken, and persecuted have an eternal reward
  • The rich, well-fed, happy, and popular already have their reward

Commentary: Jesus’ message would have been just as radical for His audience, then, as it is for us, today.  From early on in life, the wisdom of the world teaches people to seek out money, power, position, happiness, etc. in which to build and base their lives and therefore be seen as blessed.  However, Jesus teaches a radically different message that connects blessing with dependence on God and woes to dependence on stuff and circumstance.

Look Out // 10 minutes

How have you seen people make important decisions?

What are examples of things that solve problems according to the world?

Sample answers may include…

  • Government
  • Education
  • Money
  • Fame, connections

Look In // 20 minutes

What are the current decisions you are facing?  How are you making them?

What would it look like to lean more on hearing God’s Voice before moving forward with a decision?

Leader Note: From the passage, we learn how Jesus got alone with God and prayed before choosing the twelve disciples and then teaching them about blessings in God’s Kingdom.  Help your group to understand the role of hearing God’s Voice for both making decisions but also for receiving Kingdom truths like The Blessings and Woes (vv. 20-26).

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Imagine if God’s Voice was louder than any other voice, in our lives?  What would the impact be on those around you?

Prayer: Begin by thanking God for the ways He has sought you out to follow Him.  Thank God for the truths of His Kingdom and how they lead us to the truly blessed life.  Ask God to begin helping your group hear His Voice more and more each day.  Pray that His Voice would be the loudest one in your group’s lives and decisions would be made by His guidance. 

Luke 6:1-11 // Relationship Overrules: What If Wk 6

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some rules your parents gave you as a kid?

Sample answers could include…

  • Don’t run with scissors
  • Brush your teeth before you go to bed
  • Eat your vegetables
  • Measure twice, cut once
  • Money doesn’t grow on trees

Look Down // 10 minutes 

Read Luke 6:1-11

What are the different views of the Sabbath you learn from Jesus and the Pharisees?

Commentary: As you read the passage, it becomes clear that Jesus and the Pharisees have differing views on the importance of the Sabbath.  While the Pharisees believed Jesus and His Disciples were being unlawful on the Sabbath, they were actually in accord with the law.  The Disciples could harvest grain as long as a sickle or tool wasn’t used (See Deuteronomy 23:25).  Also, when Jesus heals the man on the Sabbath, he understands that God desires mercy over sacrifice (See Hosea 6:6; Proverbs 21:3; Micah 6:8).  The point isn’t necessarily about who is being lawful but rather the contrast between what the Pharisees held as important and what Jesus was emphasizing.

Sample answers may include…

Pharisees/Religious—

  • Held certain beliefs about the Sabbath
  • Rules more important than people
  • Using the rules to their advantage
  • Blinded by their view of the rules
  • Observing requirements of the law
  • Focused on sacrifice

Jesus—

  • Declared Lordship over the Sabbath
  • Valued relationship more than rules
  • Leverages his authority to give people the advantage
  • Sees the greater purpose of the law
  • Fulfilling the requirements through love
  • Focused on mercy

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen people be more concerned with being right than showing compassion?

What does it look like to emphasize relationship more than keeping rules?

 

Look In // 20 minutes

When was a time someone showed you compassion rather than judgment?

How did it make you feel and what was the impact on the relationship?

Who is someone that you could show compassion rather than judgment?

Leader Note: Encourage your group to identify specific people or groups of people that they could show compassion rather than judgment.  Also, help them to consider what some practical steps could be to show compassion rather than judgment.

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if we were known for showing compassion rather than being right? 

What kind of doors of healing might it open for those around us? 

Prayer: Pray that God would soften our hearts in places where we emphasize being right or keeping rules more than showing compassion and building relationship.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would make us aware of the people we have overlooked, for whatever reason, and that we would see them with eyes of compassion.  Pray that your group would follow Jesus’ example of pursuing relationships more than rules.

 

Luke 5:33-39 // Pharisees And Pacifiers: What If Wk 5

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some things you’ve held onto for too long?

Sample answers may include…

  • Clothes
  • Haircut
  • Old love notes
  • Relationships
  • Grudges
  • Makeup

Look Down // 10 minutes 

Read Luke 5:33-39

What do you learn about the Pharisees?

Sample answers may include…

  • They are critical of Jesus and his disciples for not fasting/praying enough
  • They don’t see the disciples of Jesus as on their level
  • They equate holiness to an outward, measurable expression and something  to be gained through systematic effort and self discipline

What do you learn about Jesus?

Sample answers may include…

  • Celebration is important
  • There’s no reason to fast for what is already present
  • Fasting has it’s place  
  • The new thing doesn’t fit in the old model
  • It’s hard to adapt to the new thing when the old seems fine or familiar

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are the points in life where change becomes necessary?

Sample answers may include…

  • Health reasons
  • Financial hardship
  • Relocating for a new job, or school
  • Getting married
  • When your engaged in abusive situations, i.e. relationships, substance abuse

Why do people struggle to make changes?

Sample answers my include…

  • The old way is familiar, comfortable
  • Fear of the unknown
  • Fear of failure

Look In // 20 minutes

What have been some turning points in your life that required change?

What obstacles did you have to overcome in making that change?

What new thing might God be calling you to?

What would you need to let go of in order to embrace that new thing?

Leader Note: Often the obstacles of the past repeat themselves over and over again when we are faced with new opportunities or challenged with change. Whatever is holding us back may be tied in someway to a stronghold (control, fear) that has grown over time. Remind your group of the stronghold experience in Rooted and the power that is found in Jesus name to break any lie of the enemy.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What would change in you if you embraced that new thing?

How would others be impacted?

Prayer: Prayer for continued honesty and courage in evaluating where we’ve held onto the pains and even successes of the past, which have caused us to be timid or even lazy for the new things God has. Pray for faith to trust that God has good things for us beyond what we could imagine.

Luke 5:27-32 // Is There A Doctor In The House: What If Wk 4

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some of the more creative ways you’ve seen or heard of people being invited to an event or occasion?

Sample events or occasions may include…

  • Prom
  • Birthday parties
  • Weeding
  • Engagement
  • Dances, dates

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 5:21-32

What do others (outside of Jesus) see in Levi?

Sample answers may include…

  • A tax collector. Tax collectors were despised. They worked with the Romans against the Jews. They were seen as greedy traitors. (v.27)
  • Crazy. He left his position of wealth and influence to follow Jesus. (v.28)
  • Influential. He had a lot of friends within his trade. (v.29)
  • Sinner, scum, morally “sick” and “contagious.” (v.30-32)

What does Jesus see in Levi?

Commentary: Remind your group of the context presented in the message. As a Rabbi, Jesus reputation would be largely based on the quality of his students. Rabbis would only select the best of the best ensuring that their status would be maintained and respected. Jesus looks beyond the standards of culture. In selected Levi to follow him he is saying, “come learn from me, I believe you can be like me!”

Sample answers may include…

  • Someone who can be like him (v.27)
  • A person of influence (v.29)

What do you learn about Jesus’ mission?

  • He invites others into his mission (v.27)
  • He’s not afraid to associate with “sinners” or “scum.” (v.29)
  • He makes time to be with people (v.29)
  • It upsets “religious” people (v.30)
  • He pursues and offers healing to the “sick” and not those who think they are “well” or “clean.” (v.31)

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

What makes a great party?

Who do you know that throws the best parties?

Leader Note: After the group has discussed this question tie Levi’s response to encountering Jesus. Levi threw a “meet Jesus party” to celebrate the change in his life.

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Who are the people in your life that you want to meet Jesus?

What prevents you from reaching out to them?

What kind of “party” could you invite them to?

Leader Note: Sharing our faith with others can often be intimidating. Jesus, along with Levi model to us what it could look like to reach out to others in a way that is relational. What type of gathering moments could you create to display your faith in the same way?

Sample answers may include…

  • Graduation party
  • Birthday party
  • Movie night
  • BBQ
  • Children’s play day
  • Neighborhood dessert and coffee night
  • Sports activity or viewing party

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would your faith change if you lived this way?

How would others be impacted?

Prayer: Father we thank you that you model for us in Jesus what it looks like to invite others into your story of freedom and salvation. We pray for courage to reach out to those around us who don’t know you. We ask for an increased desire to join you on your mission to seek and save the lost. Make us bold; make us contagious for your cause. Let our lives be a living example of who are and what you’ve done in us. Amen.

Luke 5:17-28 // Mothers Day: What If Wk 3

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are some of the greatest “BFF” movies of all time?

Leader Note: BFF = Best, Friends, Forever!

Sample answers may include…

  • Toy Story
  • Dumb and Dumber
  • Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
  • Grumpy Old Men
  • Top Gun
  • The Odd Couple
  • The Lord of The Rings
  • Beaches

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 5:17-28

Who are all the people in the passage? What do you learn from each person?

Leader Note: After you have identified all the people in the passage read the passage again breaking it down in three segments (v.17-19, v.20-24, v.25-26) making it easier to catch everything. 

Sample answers may include…

Jesus

  • God’s healing power was greatly with Jesus (v.17)
  • Jesus see’s beyond the paralyzed man’s physical need (v.20)
  • Jesus responds to faith (v.20)
  • Jesus read the minds of the Pharisees (v.21)
  • Jesus claims to be the son of God in his speech and actions (v.23-24)
  • Jesus physically heals the man as “evidence” to the Pharisees that he is who he says he is (v.24)

Pharisees/Teachers of the Law

  • They were sitting as Jesus was teaching. (In the Rabbinical tradition the teacher takes the seated place and the students gather around him. This would have been a show of disrespect by the Pharisees.) (v.17)
  • There were many of them there from various place, they were curious about Jesus (v.17)
  • The Pharisees saw Jesus as having contempt towards God, a “God slander.” (v.21)

The friends of the paralyzed man

  • They were persistent, didn’t give up on brining their friend to Jesus (v.18-19)
  • They weren’t worried about making fools of themselves (v.18-19)
  • They had great faith (v.20)
  • They didn’t initially get what they came for (v.20)

The paralyzed man

  • Despite his condition he had friends (Marks gospel tells us there were 4 friends with him) willing to fight for him, he wasn’t isolated (v.18-19)
  • Jesus doesn’t do what he came to him for at first (v.20)
  • He got more than he asked for (v.20,24)
  • He responds in worship (v.25)

The crowd

  • There were a lot of them! Enough to pack the house (v.19)
  • They showed up, watched Jesus work and praised him (v.19, 25-26)

What is the surprise in the passage?

Commentary: The surprise comes in verse 20. The 4 friends go through all the trouble of getting their crippled friend to Jesus and when they do Jesus doesn’t even acknowledge his physical state. He goes straight to his spiritual condition and forgives his sins. Jesus had a different priority.

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

What does it look like when people have great friends to walk with them in hardship?

What does it look like when they don’t?

Leader Note: Encourage your group to think about where they’ve seen this type of friendship and where they’ve seen people lacking it. Invite stories and examples.

Commentary: The paralyzed were often on the margins of society in Jesus time. They were thought to have been responsible for their condition either by some sort of personal sin or the sin of their parents. Many of them were isolated and left to beg on the outskirts of town. This man is not isolated. He has friends willing to take him to Jesus!

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Who are your 4 friends that would carry you to Jesus?

Leader Note: Take this a cut deeper for those that have a hard time identifying 4 friends by asking… “What prevents you from having those type of relationships?”

Who can you be this type of a friend to?

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would your life be different with that type of friendship?

How would the lives of others be different?

Leader Note: This question is for both sides of the friendship… giving that type of friendship and receiving that type of friendship from others.

Pray: Pray prayers of thankfulness for the people we have in our lives that stand with us through difficultly and challenge us to grow in our faith. Pray for postures of humility to accept that type of friendship from others and willingness and compassion to be that friend for others.

Luke 5:12-16 // So Fresh And Clean: What If Wk 2

Lean In // 5 minutes

What were all the different “crowds” at your High School and what were they known for? Did you associate with a specific crowd?

Leader Note: High School for many is a time when we try to find our way and our identity. Be it the band group, jocks, preps, cheerleaders or the academic over-achievers; our identity is often played out in the people we associate with.

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 5:12-16

What do you observe about the man with leprosy?

Sample answers may include…

  • His leprosy was advanced, (likely covering his entire body) (v.12)
  • His first reaction in seeing Jesus was worship (v.12)
  • He is desperate for Jesus to heal him (v.12)
  • He acknowledged Jesus as Lord (v.12)
  • He believes Jesus can heal him as well as make him clean, restore him (v.12)

What do you observe about Jesus in this passage?

Sample answers may include…

  • Jesus meets with those that others cast away (v.12)
  • Jesus responds to worship and desperate prayer (v.12-13)
  • Jesus has the power to heal and cleanse (v.13)
  • Jesus instructs the man to show his healing to the priest as a way to confirm his healing and restore him back into society. His healing wasn’t just physical it was holistic. (v.14)
  • People are drawn to Jesus’ power and teaching (v.15)
  • Jesus maintains the discipline of prayer and rest (v.16)

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

Who are the social outcasts in today’s society?

Commentary: Perhaps even more painful than the physical condition of leprosy was the social stigma and labels that came with being a leper. Lepers were marginalized, isolated seen as outcast and labeled as unclean. They were not allowed to worship in the temple, be with their families, work or be out in public. Many of them were quarantined in colonies. If they did happen to appear in public they were required to announce their presence by saying… “unclean, unclean” to warn the public.

Sample answers may include…

  • Those experiencing homelessness
  • The mentally ill
  • The poor
  • The imprisoned, criminals
  • Addicts
  • Abusers
  • Undocumented Immigrants

 

Look In // 20 minutes

When was a time you felt rejected or isolated?

How did you or how are you currently pursuing healing?

How might God be calling you to serve the rejected and isolated?

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What could change in us if we served the rejected and isolated? How would others be impacted?

Leader Note: One of our driving values for Life Groups at Mariners Church is that they would collectively and regularly serve people in need – our neighbors, our friends the poor marginalized and forgotten with the transformational love of Christ.

Next Steps: Use this time to talk about where your group is at in committing to an on going serve experience. With summer right around the corner this a great time to be more intentional in serving. You can view a full list of serve opportunities here… http://www.marinerschurch.org/irvine/outreach/about-outreach/calendar/

Luke 5:1-11 // Out Of Control: What If Wk 1

Lean In // 5 minutes

What was your most memorable moment from Easter?

Leader Note: These moments could be something that took place in our Easter service, perhaps at the Egg Scramble on Saturday Night or in a conversation with family or a loved one over Easter.

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 5:1-11

What do you learn about faith and control from Simon?

Sample answers may include…

Control

  • Simon’s initial response is telling. He believes that in order to catch anything he must work hard at it, it’s up to him and his skill on any given day how many fish he will catch. (v.5)
  • “Oh Lord, please leave me, I am a sinful man!” Simon’s reaction when confronted with Jesus’ power is to look inward on his own sin (v.8)

Faith

  • He allows Jesus to enter his boat and use it to teach the crowds. This was Simon’s means of provision, he would have likely not just allowed anyone to use it (v.3)
  • “But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” We can’t be sure of Simon’s tone here. Whether sarcastic or sincere Simon demonstrates faith by following Jesus’ request. (v.5)
  • “Oh Lord, please leave me!” Simeon’s recognition of who Jesus is switches here from Master to Lord. Calling him Lord, Simon again demonstrates a faith in he Jesus is, he’s more than a Master or good teacher. (v.8)

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen someone take a great risk that didn’t pan out?

We have you seen someone take a great risk that paid off?

Leader Note: Remember the aim of the “Look Out” question is to take the concept of the passage and ask where we see it played out in our world today. This question should invoke stories that could relate directly to the individual or another person.

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Where do you struggle to hold onto control?

What’s your next faithful step in releasing control?

Leader Note: Highlight to your group the step-by-step moments in the passage where Simon stepped out in obedience to Jesus’ calling. First he allows Jesus to enter his boat (v.3), then he puts his nets down in the water (v.4-5) and finally he leaves everything and follows Jesus (v.11). Following Jesus is often like that for us, faithful step after faithful step.

Commentary: The absence of control is typically seen as a negative thing in our society. We may take risk but usually only calculated risk where the odds of success, the outcome we desire, is heavily tipped in our favor. The Faith that Simon demonstrates in the passage is one that places absolutely control into Jesus’ hands.

Point out to your group that Simon takes this bold step right after he got everything he was working for, the biggest catch of his life! Would you have that same level of faith? Could you walk away from your dreams or successes to follow Jesus?

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who could you impact by releasing control to God in your life?

Pray: Pray for your group to take courageous steps of trust this week in their relationship with God and others. Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak and to illuminate the strongholds in our lives where the need for control has dominated our thoughts and actions.

Romans 8:11-17 // Easter

Lean In // 5 minutes

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why? 

Leader Note: Do your best to get everyone to answer this amusing question. Remember the more people talk in the beginning the more likely they are to stay engaged throughout the discussion.

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Romans 8:11-17

What do you learn about God’s Spirit?

Sample answers may include

  • God’s Spirit raised Christ from the dead (v.11)
  • God’s Spirit is alive in us (v.11)
  • God’s Spirit gives us life and power now (v.11)
  • We can choose to live by God’s Spirit or our sinful nature (v.12-13)
  • Living by God’s spirit puts to death the ways of our flesh (v.13)
  • It is God’s Spirit leading us that identifies us as God’s children (v.14,16)
  • God’s Spirit does not make us fearful or slaves (v.15)
  • God gives us His Spirit, we don’t earn it (v.15)
  • God’s Spirit causes us to be heirs together with Christ, we share in His glory and we also share in His suffering (v.17)

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen people hold on to dead things?

Where have you seen people experience new life?

Leader Note: This can work its self out in a number of ways. Unforgiveness, regret, fear pain and shame can often be seen as our “just deserved” outcome for our actions that we come to accept death as the only reality. Easter tells us that new life is possible, that death is not final through the power of God’s Spirit.

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Where are you in need of God’s Spirit to bring a dead thing to life?

Commentary: The power of the cross signals to us that new life is possible! Be it a broken relationship, an addiction or a general sense of needing to control our lives we can trust in God’s Spirit to give us power and strength to overcome the remains of death in our lives.

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who could you impact by living in the power of God’s Sprit?

Leader Note: Read the first half of verse 11 again to your group. God’s spirit brings us life, freedom and healing. Our call as Christ followers is to then live out those things for the sake of others. Challenge your group to think about where God is calling them to live out new life… what could that look like, what could the impact be?

Pray: Father we thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you paid in your son that has restored us in relationship with you. We thank you that through the death and resurrection of Jesus we now experience life in place of death. We ask for the boldness and conviction to live in that new life so that others can experience freedom, salvation and healing. Amen.

John 11:1-44 // Have I Got A Surprise For You

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s something you remember wanting so badly as a kid?

Leader Note: As a follow up you may want to ask whether the person received what they hoped for, what did it feel like to get that thing, what did it feel like not to receive it?

 

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Luke 11:1-44

Leader Note: This week’s passage is a very long one. You may want to break it up in the following sections (11:1-16, 11:17-37, 11:38-44), asking the same question below after each section.

What do learn about Jesus from his response to Lazarus’ sickness and death?

Sample answers may include

  • He was full of faith that Lazarus’s sickness wouldn’t end in death (v.4)
  • Jesus believed that God would be glorified in this trial (v.4)
  • Jesus doesn’t rush, he is patient, works on his timetable not ours (v.6-7)
  • Jesus isn’t afraid to enter into dangerous places (v.8)
  • Jesus looked forward to healing him so that others would really believe in him (v.14)
  • Jesus has the power over physical death as well as spiritual/eternal death and life (v.23-26)
  • Jesus experiences emotion, the death of his friend caused anger and sadness (v.33,35)
  • Jesus does the impossible even when others doubt (v.39-40)
  • The words of Jesus give life (v.43)
  • Jesus invites us to participate in his healing work (v.39,44)

 

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen people remain hopeful in a desperate situation?

Where have you seen people lose hope in a desperate situation?

Commentary: Be it sickness, financial hardship, relational stress or praying for a loved one to come to Christ, most of us face situations where our hope and belief for change is challenged. Where have you seen that? What has that looked like in the world around us and in those close to you?

 

Look In // 20 minutes

Where have you endured in a desperate situation?

Where have you or where are you currently struggling to remain hopeful?

Leader Note: Help guide the individual and the group to identify what things enable them to remain hopeful (i.e. community, God’s word, remembering God’s faithfulness). What could it look like to allow those things to help guide you in present trouble?

 

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Where might Jesus be calling you to live out hope for others?

Commentary: Jesus involves those around him in this passage to have a hand in the miracle of raising Lazarus to life. He tells them “roll back the stone” and to “unwarp him and let him go.” Where is Jesus inviting you to roll back the stone and unwarp the stench and bondage of death? Jesus does the heavy lifting for us by his work on the cross.  Death is already defeated! He calls us to join in with what he has already done.

Pray: Pray for the reality of the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to be near to those who are in the middle of situations that seem hopeless and desperate. Pray for God to be near and for your group to step in with love and courage to hold each person up. Pray for the eyes of your group to be opened to the places where Jesus is inviting them to join in his work or removing the stench of death that still remains in our world.