SERIES TITLE
He Gets Us!
sermon TITLE
He Gets My Hopelessness
SERIES OVERVIEW
Love and forgiveness is something we all need. We all have pain. We all have sorrow. We all have doubts. Jesus understands all of this…and the story of Jesus is for EVERYONE. Join us as we examine the life of Jesus through the eyes of those that knew him personally. Together, we will find hope and purpose because HE GETS US.
SERMON TITLE
He Gets Our Hopelessness
WEEKEND IN REVIEW
On Easter weekend we kicked off a new series based on the eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life. This past weekend Gene shared details of what John tells us about Lazarus being raised from the dead. Throughout this series, we’ll learn from events John recorded about the life of Jesus. The Apostle John was very clear on his purpose for writing what he did in the Gospel that bears his name. John says, “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
WARM UP
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are a few potential questions to get the conversation going.
- How was your Easter weekend and what was your highlight of the weekend?
- In John 11:25-26, Jesus made this bold statement to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Then Jesus asked her directly “Do you believe this?” When did you come to the place where you believed Jesus rose from the dead and that his victory over death and the grave meant that He could also one day raise you from the dead?
- What or who helped you the most to come to that belief in Jesus’ resurrection? If you’re still in process, that’s ok. Can you share a what or a who that’s been helpful on your journey so far?
DISCUSSion
- Read John 11:11-15. Why was Jesus “glad” that he didn’t make it to Bethany before Lazarus died?
- Read John 11:16. Why was Thomas so pessimistic, perhaps even feeling hopeless, about the thought of Jesus and his fellow disciples returning to Bethany in Judea? What did he fear? See John 11:6-8 and verse 18.
- Read John 11: 20-27 and verse 39. In this passage, Martha seems to flipflop between belief and disbelief, faith and doubt, hope and hopelessness.
- What statements express hopelessness and disbelief?
- What statements express some degree of faith?
- Why do you think she vacillated back and forth?
- Read John 11:32-38 Jesus clearly announced why he was returning to Bethany. So, why do you think Jesus wept at Lazarus’ tomb?
- What did Jesus say was a prerequisite for seeing the glory of God? Read John 11:40.
- Read John 11:41-48. Everyone saw this great sign of Jesus’ power by His raising Lazarus from the dead. They all witnessed the same miracle, so why were there 2 drastically different responses?
- What did the Pharisees love more and see as important than the arrival of sickness-healing, miracle-working, grave-emptying, compassionate Messiah?
Application
Complete the following sentences:
- Mary considered the timing of Jesus’ arrival to be completely wrong, however, Jesus’ delay was quite intentional and purposeful. When my prayers aren’t answered according to my timing, I should…
- If Jesus has the power to raise the dead back to life that means…
- Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead teaches me that Jesus gets my….
- Mary considered the timing of Jesus’ arrival to be completely wrong, however, Jesus’ delay was quite intentional and purposeful. When my prayers aren’t answered according to my timing, I should…
wrap up | prayer
Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other.