Connect: The blind man moves from knowing very little about Jesus to worshipping him. What step might help you grow in seeing and trusting Jesus more clearly this week?

Warm-Up

1. What are the various signs that we have covered so far in this series? Have any stood out for you?
2. What do you think brings most Australians a sense of hope amidst trial and challenge? What are the type of ‘ultimate’ things that people hope for? What is our ultimate hope as Christians?

Read John 11:17-37

3. What has just happened prior to this? What had Jesus said about Lazarus’ death? What did he mean?
4. What did the disciples think would happen to them when they went to Bethany? Why?
5. Who were Lazarus’ sisters? What had been their relationship with Jesus prior to this?
6. What did each of the sisters say to Jesus when he arrived? How were they feeling?
7. How does Jesus first respond to Martha in verse 23 and 25? What does he mean by this?
8. How does Martha respond? How did she also misunderstand what Jesus was saying to her?
9. As Jesus comes to the tomb how does he respond? How does this demonstrate his love for Lazarus?
10. What does Jesus’ weeping teach you about him? How does this make you feel?
11. In face and trial, how does the profound love of Jesus bring your comfort amidst difficulty?
12. How did other people respond? Why might there have been some cynicism? Do you ever feel like this?

Read John 9:38-44

13. As Jesus approaches the tomb what does he say? Why did people protest the request?
14. What does Jesus pray? How does this demonstrate the extraordinary power of Jesus?
15. What reminds you of the power of Jesus? How do you see the power of Jesus at work?
16. How does Lazarus’ resurrection point to the future of all who trust in Jesus? Can you think of any other passages that point to this reality and give us confidence?
17. Does this mean that we shouldn’t grieve? How do Christians know grief and hope at the same time?
18. Do you think our culture ever denies the inevitability of death? Why is this not helpful?
19. What comfort does it give you to know that Jesus has triumphed over sin and death?
20. Throughout the chapter what responses of belief do we witness? How do some respond in verse 45?
21. Do you believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

Apply Who can you invite to Easter this year that they may believe that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

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On Your Front Line this Week

Who can you invite along to celebrate Easter with you? 

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “Out From the Grave” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/out-from-the-grave/ 
• Listen (sermon): “I am the resurrection and the life” by Stephen Nicols:
  https://www.allsouls.org/Media/AllMedia.aspx?show_media=223278&show_file=236720 
• Listen (sermon): “Hope in the Face of Death” by Paul Williams:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/58963/ 
• Listen (sermon): “Suffering” by Vaughan Roberts:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/suffering/#sermons 

Series Resources

• Read: “John: An Expositional Commentary” by R C Sproul.
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Don Carson. 
• Read: “The Message of John” by Bruce Milne. 📚
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Leon Morris.
• Read: “John for Everyone: Part 1” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “Can We Trust the Gospels?” by Peter Williams. 📚
• Read: “Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John’s Gospel” by Andreas Köstenberger
• Watch: “John” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-john/  
• Previous Series from St Bart’s (including Children’s Resources):
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/jesus-is
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/i-am
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/truth-glory 

📚Available to borrow from the St Bart’s Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library 

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