Bible ReadingJohn 11:17–44 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 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. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 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?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 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?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
[40:52]2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
[48:49]John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
[01:08:16]Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
[01:14:07]Observation questions- What had already happened by the time Jesus came to Lazarus’s tomb, and what details made Lazarus’s death appear final?
- What did Jesus say about Himself before He raised Lazarus, and what question did He ask Martha?
- When Lazarus came out of the tomb, what was still wrapped around him, and what did Jesus tell the people nearby to do? [49:16]
- What are some specific “grave clothes” that can remain in a person’s life after they have experienced forgiveness and freedom in Christ? [43:43]
Interpretation questions- Jesus had the power to raise Lazarus, yet He told the people around Lazarus, “Unbind him, and let him go.” What does this show about the place of Christian community in helping believers walk away from old patterns?
- If someone is a “new creation” in Christ, why is this more than simply trying harder or becoming a slightly better version of the old person? [47:55]
- John 8:36 says that the Son sets people free indeed. How can a believer be truly free in Christ while still facing difficult circumstances, temptation, grief, or fear? [01:08:25]
- Why can familiar patterns such as bitterness, control, shame, or isolation feel safer than the new life Jesus offers? How can those patterns quietly pull a believer back toward an old “tomb”? [52:37]
Application questions- What is one grave cloth you may still be wearing—shame, guilt, fear, bitterness, people-pleasing, control, an old habit, or something else? What does it look like in your normal thoughts, choices, or relationships? [49:31]
- Where have you been tempted to keep “visiting” something Christ has called you out of? This may be a relationship pattern, a mindset, an addiction, an offense, or a place of unhealthy comfort. What would taking one step away from it look like this week? [47:55]
- If Christ has freed you from shame, what identity does He want you to receive? If He has freed you from fear, what act of faith or obedience might He be inviting you to take? [35:45]
- Is there a past hurt that makes you look for reasons to be offended, keep people at a distance, or sabotage a healthy relationship? What would forgiveness, honesty, or a healthier next step look like without ignoring wise boundaries? [53:21]
- Freedom from bitterness leads toward forgiveness and relationships again. Is there someone you need to forgive, contact, pray for, or stop rehearsing the offense against? What is a wise and tangible next step? [57:55]
- God’s freedom is meant to lead into purpose, service, worship, and love. How might a hard place God has brought you through become encouragement or help for someone else? [01:09:54]
- Jesus is on the throne, and nothing has the right to control a life that belongs to Him. What problem, fear, or negative voice has been controlling too much of your attention lately? How can Romans 8:31 shape the way you respond this week? [01:14:07]
