The Untold Story (Side B) – Lazarus, Come Out!

(Message 6) How would you react if you saw someone rise from the dead? Not in a zombie apocalypse sort of way, but a complete returning to life and health after being dead in the grave for days? Many people believed in Jesus when He raised Lazarus from the dead. This miracle was just one more sign that He was who He claimed to be. Join us for our next message, “The Untold Story (Side B) – Lazarus, Come Out!” #GCTheUntoldStory

Our Mission: Reaching people far from God and helping them become fully devoted followers of Christ, one step at a time.

Jesus completely eradicates fear from our lives:

He removes the fear of how I will die
He removes the fear of death itself

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Key Scripture:

John 11:1-10 (NLT)

1 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair. Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” 4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. 7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” 8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” 9 Jesus replied “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.”

John 11:11-25 (NLT)

11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.” 12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died. 14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” 16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.

17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.” 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

John 11:26-44

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Did it cause you to believe in God or Jesus or did it simply strengthen your faith?

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

Read John 11:1-10. Why did Jesus wait where he was before leaving for Bethany? What did Jesus mean by the statement he made in vs. 9-10?
Read John 11:11-25. What did Martha want Jesus to do? How was her faith limited?
What did Jesus mean when he said he was the resurrection and the life?
Read John 11:26-38. Why did Jesus cry if he knew he was going to raise Lazarus?
Read John 11:39-44. What was the purpose of Jesus’ verbal prayer? How did Jesus perform his miracles on earth?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

Troy said we should practice safety (wear a seat belt when we drive) while at the same time never fear being killed in a car accident. Discuss how this plays out in your life; i.e. exercising prudent caution in the absence of fear.
Has Jesus removed the fear of death from your life? If so, describe how that feels and what that means for how you live.
Have you ever questioned God on where He has been or on His timing? Share your story with your group and include whether or not the importance of His timing became clear to you.
Since Jesus wept, and in verses 33 and 38 was “deeply moved”, “groaned”, or was “angry” (depending on translation), what does this say about our own right to emotional reactions?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

This week, identify one area of your life where you need to differentiate a spirit of fear from responsible actions.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Jesus, we praise you and thank you for your lordship, and that we are free from the sting of death. Please help us to remain faithful and encouraged as we strive to walk in the light. -Amen

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