Series Summary:
We live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuo) is translated believe. It is not just an intellectual exercise. It is an entrusting of one’s self to a person or a cause. The gospel of John uses pisteuo 98 times! “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." This fall may "your heart not be troubled. Believe!” πιστεύω #John #2025
Starter
Are you afraid of dying? Why or why not?
Pray
Lord we live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? You tell us clearly what to believe. You tell us, “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." As we study the book of John, open our hearts and minds to believe. May we encourage one another to truly believe entrusting our lives to you and your will being done. May we strive to lead people to believe in you “the way, the truth, and the life.” Amen
Study Questions
- What does John say in these verses was the purpose of him writing his gospel account?
- How would you feel or react if someone said they loved you and your family, but they did not come to your aid, for what seemed like no good reason, even when you personally reached out to them for help? (You might ask how do you react when someone does not answer your call or text?)
- What do you tend to believe if someone’s life has sickness, suffering, trials, and death? Why?
- Jesus said that Lazarus’ sickness was “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Why do we struggle to believe in the life Jesus offers even when the scriptures makes it exceeding clear that this life will be full of hard things?
- God’s “thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not” His “ways.” His “ways are higher than your ways, and” His “thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) The heart’s desire of the people was for Lazarus to be healed. Jesus wanted Lazarus to be a part of Glorifying God. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
- When have you been able to rejoice in hard times because you saw (or believed you would see) the glory of God in your suffering and trials?
- What simple things could you do regularly to help you Glorify God more consistently, grow in maturity, and help realize that you lack nothing?
- What were all the things that the disciples were concerned about? Why?
- Jesus tells the disciples “plainly, “Lazarus has died. I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there so that you may believe. But let’s go to him.” How might this statement have been confusing and even misinterpreted by the disciples?
- Thomas declares, “Let’s go so that we may die with Him.” The disciples go from concern about dying, to being ready to fight and die, at the arrest of Jesus they run away, and after the resurrection they surrender their lives for the gospel. How is this often the process people have to go through who say they believe in the life Jesus offers?
- How was this miracle setting the disciples up with the hope they would need later in their own lives?
- Martha and Mary in their own different personalties respond to Jesus with deep emotion, and blame.
- Have you ever felt like God didn’t show up when you needed Him most? How does your personality type tend to deal with those times?
- Do you ever feel the tension between trusting God and questioning why? AND How do you process that tension?