The Word- Week 20
The Word
Read: John 11:17-44
Prepping for Group
Take some time before group to read but also to pray for your group. Pray that God will open the eyes of all the members and that God would move mightily in your time together. Also take some time to study the word personally. Allow God to speak to you as you get ready to serve and lead your people. The best groups come from the overflow of your own heart for the Lord. We’re praying with you for a group week in your connect group. There are 4 focuses on the passage we heard from Sunday:
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It’s OK to wrestle with God
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We serve a Savior who Empathizes in our Weakness
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Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
Context
As we continue to pick back up in our study of John, remember context is always important to know when studying scripture. This week, we put the focus on Mary, a woman who we continually find at the feet of Jesus. In this incredible story we see Jesus do the unthinkable. He raises Lazarus showing His power and authority not only to forgive sins, but also raise the dead. This reiterates this powerful truth we learn about who Jesus is in this passage. He is the resurrection and the life.
Discussion Questions
1. Has there ever been a season where you’ve wrestled with God? Describe what that season looked like in your life. Is it ok to have questions and wrestle with God through difficult times?
2. What is the significance of Mary’s decision to run to Jesus? It would have been easy to hide from Jesus in anger and frustration. Why is it important that we continue to press into Jesus even when our hearts are broken by our circumstances? What verses can we lean on for truth in times of difficulty, pain and loss?
3. What do we learn about Jesus in verse 33? What does it say about God’s heart for us?
4. In verse 35 we see that Jesus wept even though He knew what He was about to do. What does this say about Jesus?
5. Has there ever been a time in your life where you didn’t understand what God is doing? Maybe you’re going through a time now where it’s difficult to see what God is up to. What encouragement can you share with each other as a group in response to these stories?
6. How do verses 38-44 point us to the Gospel?
7. What benefit did Jesus allowing Lazarus to die provide for the people? What does this tell us about trusting God’s ultimate plan in the midst of difficulty?
8. What does it mean that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life? How does this news shape the way we think about death?
9. Why do you think Jesus added to “take off the grave clothes”? What does this say about the new life we have in Christ? Are there any grave clothes you’re still carrying from when we were dead in sin?
Conclusion
As we conclude the group, remember our 3 focuses:
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It’s ok to wrestle with God
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We have a Savior who Empathizes in our Weakness
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Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life
As you finish the group in prayer, remember this is a year of disciple making for our church. We have the equip class going on the next two Sundays. Take some time to pray for:
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New disciple makers to be raised up in our church
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Pray for the lost in Laurens County and beyond that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
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Pray for the nations, especially Indonesia that God would raise up missionaries to go share the Gospel there.
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Pray for anyone who needs to hear the Good News that Jesus has overcome the grave and death.
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KIDS Konnect Group Guide
Upper Elementary (Grades 2-5)
Read Joshua 3-4
1. The Israelites had to wait a long time and go through difficult things before reaching the land God
promised them.
-How do you think they felt when they had to wait and it didn’t happen quickly?
2. When the Israelites reached the Jordan River, there seemed to be no way across. But God already had a plan.
-Can you think of a time when something seemed impossible, but God helped you through it?
3. God told the Israelites what to do, and they had to trust Him and obey even before they could see what He was going to do.
-Why can it be hard to wait for God when we don’t know what is going to happen?
4. God stopped the Jordan RIver and made a dry path for his people to cross.
-What does this story teach us about what God can do when we face something impossible?
5. The Israelites built a pile of 12 stones to remember how God had helped them.
-What is something God has done in your life that you never want to forget? How could you
remember it?
Lower Elementary (Kindergarten - 1st grade)
Read Joshua 3-4
1. The Israelites had a very long journey, but God was with them the whole time.
-Do you think God was with them even when things were hard? Why?
2. The Israelites came to a huge river that they could not cross on their own.
-What do you think the Israelites were feeling when they saw the big river?
3. God made a way for the Israelites by stopping the water so they could walk across on dry ground.
-Who made a way for the Israelites when they didn’t know what to do?
4. The Israelites listened to God and followed His instructions.
-What should we do when God tells us to do something?
5. The Israelites made a pile of 12 stones to help them remember what God had done.
-Why do you think it is important for us to remember how God has helped us?
Toddlers - 5 years old
-Who was with the Israelites on their journey?
-Do you think the Israelites could jump over the BIG river?
-What did God make the water do?
-What should we do when God tells us what is right?
-What can we remember when we see something that reminds us of God?