Read John 11:1-44

I. FOR THIS WE NEED JESUS

John 11:1-37 Mary and Martha needed a miracle.

• What miracle do you need -in your marriage, health, business, church,
  family?

A. BECAUSE WE ARE HELPLESS vs. 11:1-16

1. WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN vs. 1-3

• Did Jesus love Mary, Martha, and Lazarus? Give verses.
• What bad thing happened to those Jesus loved?
• What bad thing has happened to you or your loved one?

2. WHEN GOD'S WAY SEEMS HIDDEN vs. 4-16

• What did Mary and Martha do about the "bad thing?"
• How long did Jesus delay in answering their prayer? (compare vs. 6 with
  vs. 39)
• How long has Jesus delayed in answering your prayer?
• Why do you think Jesus sometimes delays answering prayer? (compare
  vs. 14-15 with vs. 40)

B. BECAUSE WE ARE HOPELESS 11:17-37

1. HOPELESSLY DESPERATE vs. 17-27

• After Martha prayed, did the situation improve? see vs. 3 and vs. 21
• What did Martha say that indicated she knew she was hopelessly desperate
  apart from Christ? Give the phrase.
• Trace Martha's steps as Jesus focused her faith inHim alone.
• What has God taken or withheld from you in order to focus your faith in
  Himalone?
• What promise has He given you to cling to?

2. HOPELESSLY DEFEATED vs. 28-37

• How was Mary's greeting of Jesus like Martha's? See vs.21-22 and vs.32
• What difference was there in her greeting that revealed her utter defeat?
• Put her words in vs. 32 into your own words, beginning with "if only..."

Example:
If only You had a better sense of timing...
If only You had answered me when I prayed...

• To Whom was she speaking? vs. 25 
• What was blinding her, do you think? 
• What was her Lord's initial reaction? v. 35 
• Mary and Martha needed Jesus for a miracle. 
• What do you need Jesus for?

II. FOR THIS YOU HAVE JESUS John 11:38-44

A. FOR VICTORY OVER HELPLESSNESS 11:38-40

1. THROUGH HIS INVOLVEMENT vs. 38

• Does He promise us escape from bad things in Isaiah 43:1-4? How does He
  promise to get involved?
• How did He fulfill this promise in Daniel 3?
• How did He fulfill this promise to John in Revelation 1:9-13?
• How did Jesus get involved physically in the lives of Mary, Martha, and
  Lazarus? vs.38 How did He get involved emotionally? vs.33, 35, 38
• What do the following verses say about His involvement in our
  helplessness? Isaiah 41:10, 63:9; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 4:15;
  I John 4:9-10; Revelation 1:5
• Why do you think He is not involved in your helpless condition?

2. THROUGH HIS INSTRUCTIONS vs. 39

The stone was blocking Martha from seeing the glory of God revealed in the
life of her loved one. It was a hindrance to what God wanted to do.

• What did Jesus tell Martha to do? - vs. 39
• What stone is God commanding you to remove before He can work in the
  life of yourloved one or answer your prayer? a nagging tongue?
  unsubmissive spirit? temper?jealousy? pride? unbelief? unforgiving
  spirit? judgmentalness?___________ (fill in the blank)
• How did Martha delay receiving His answer to her prayer? vs. 39 Put her
  fears in your own words.
• What are some of your excuses for disobedience?
• What instructions did Jesus give in Luke 6:10? John 5:8-9? John 9:6-7?
• What was necessary in each case before the miracle could take place?
• What reason do you need before you obey?

B. FOR VICTORY OVER HOPELESSNESS vs. 11:41-44

In the end, Mary and Martha received what had been promised because
theyplaced their faith in Christ alone.

1. FAITH IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST vs. 41-42

• What did Jesus' prayer reveal about His own identity?
• What does Hebrews 11:6 say is necessary before you can receive an
  answer to your prayer?
• On what or whom is your focus as you seek a miracle?

2. FAITH IN THE POWER OF CHRIST vs. 43-44

• Describe the impact of the voice of Jesus in v. 43-44; in Matthew 8:23-27;
  Mark 1:40-42; Luke 8:49-55; Luke 9:38-43; John 4:46-54.
• Why do you think His voice, or His Word, has lost its power today?

Why do you need Jesus? For that very need, you have Jesus. Would you place your faith in Him alone?

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