“This sickness will not end in death.”

1. What was the difference in circumstance between Lazarus' family and other families?

2. When Lazarus became ill and died soon after, what were the thoughts of his sisters Martha and Mary?

3. What did the sisters mean when they said, “Lord, the one you love is sick”?

4. What was the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus' family? (Luke 10:38-42, John 11:2)

5.  1) Did Jesus underestimate the seriousness of Lazarus' sickness when He said, “This sickness will not end in death”?

  2) Why or why not? (John 11:4)

6. 1) What did Jesus’ disciples think when He stayed where He was for two more days after hearing about Lazarus’ sickness? 

     2) What did Lazarus’ sisters think?

     3) There are times that God does not seem to answer our prayers when we need Him the most. What do we tend to think?

     4) How long should you wait for God to answer your prayers? (Mark 11:22-24)

7. Why did Jesus stay where He was for two more days after he heard that Lazarus was seriously ill?

8. What did Jesus mean by “twelve hours of day light” in verse 9?

9. What did Jesus mean when he said a man “sees by this world’s light”? (John 8:12, 9:5)

10. What does "stumble” mean?

11. 1) What did the disciples think when Jesus said, “Lazarus has fallen sleep; but I am going there to wake him up”?

2) How would you express the answer to previous question in modern terms?

3) Can you give a similar illustration?

12. 1) What are the similarities between death and sleep?

2) Are there any other religions that also view death as sleeping?

13. What did Jesus imply when He said, “Lazarus has fallen sleep”?

14. What were the disciples thinking when they replied, “If he sleeps, he will get better”?

Life Application:

1. What would be your response, when God answered not according to your desire? (Isaiah 55:8-9)
2. How long are you willing to wait for God’s answer to your prayer? (Luke 18:1, Jeremiah 33:3, Hebrews 10:36)
3. Can you give reasons why God delays his answer to our prayer? (James 1:2-4)

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, you are the living God. You know my needs and you hear my prayer, and you are always able to answer my prayer requests. Nothing is impossible for you because you are God. Because you love me, you always hear and answer my prayer according to your timetable for me in the best way. Help me to develop patience so that I may be able to wait for God’s time to answer my prayer. Give me faith that the way God answers my prayer is the best way for me, so that I may rejoice and glorify God. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!