Weekly Discussion Guide

1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Read John 11.
3. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)

MY STORY | Vulnerability
Who is the most compassionate person you know? What makes this person special?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. (John 11:5-6)

Why does John connect how much Jesus loved these three siblings with his decision to delay his arrival?

How do you usually respond to God’s apparent delays in your life? What do you usually do when you’re waiting on the Lord?

So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
(John 11:20-21)

Our personalities speak a lot into how we engage situations in life and even God. What do you make of the difference in the way each of us addresses (or don’t address) Jesus? What can this teach us about our various approaches to prayer?

What are some significant losses in your life that God could have prevented, but didn’t?

What assumptions do you make about God, or your relationship with Him, when He doesn’t prevent (unnecessary) suffering in your life?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26)

What do you believe in regard to your own eventual resurrection—and how that event will reveal what God was up to in your life (that which you cannot see now)?

How will the resurrection make hardships you experience “right”? What aspects of human suffering will the resurrection possibly not fulfill?

Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”

In what sense is Jesus no mere observer to our pain, but enters into it with us? How is that even possible?

Is it probable that Jesus’ grief over our difficult situation is much deeper than our own? If so, why?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
Demonstrate the compassion of Jesus to someone this week who has recently experienced a significant loss. Empathize with that person, talking about how you can relate to what they’re feeling.

Looking back at your notes from this week’s message, was there anything you heard for the first time, stuck with you, challenged or confused you?

What is the one important thing you will take away from this weekend’s message or our community group discussion? Is there any challenge, difficulty or praise that you would like to share with the group for prayer?