WINDSOR FULL GOSPEL MISSION CHURCH, SMALL GROUP BIBLE DISCUSSION
John 11:1-16, (A) February 29, 2004
"This sickness will not end in death."
1. What was the difference in circumstance between Lazarus' family and other families?
Lazarus lived together with his two sisters, Martha and Mary. Judging from the text of the bible, it seems that all three of them were single. Moreover, there is no mention in the bible about their parents either.
2. When Lazarus became ill and died soon after, what were the thoughts of his sisters Martha and Mary?
Two sisters loved Lazarus very much. Lazarus was also the only male in the household, and a father figure for the sisters. The sisters loved their only brothers very much. The sisters were also dependant on Lazarus for livelihood. They desperately hope that Jesus would heal him.
3. What did the sisters mean when they said, "Lord, the one you love is sick"?
The sisters emphasized the loving relationship their brother had with Jesus, and hinted that Jesus should come quickly as a special favor to them.
4. What was the relationship between Jesus and Lazarus' family? (Matthew 10:11-14, Luke 10:38-42)
In Matthew 10:11-14, Jesus told his disciples to stay with the worthy family as they entered a town until they leave. Jesus lived in Galilee. Whenever He traveled to Judea for His ministry, He probably stayed in Lazarus and his sisters's house because He deemed them worthy. Jesus and the family eventually developed a very close relationship. In Luke 10:38-41, the Bible described one of such visits. In John 12:1-8, another such visit was described. During that last visit, Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The text in John 11:2 shows the love from the sisters to Jesus, and the text in John 11:5 mentions Jesus's love for them.
5.1) Did Jesus underestimate the seriousness of Lazarus' sickness when He said, "This sickness will not end in death"?
No, Jesus did not.
2) Why or why not?
Jesus knew the end result of Lazarus's sickness. Jesus knew that Lazarus would die soon from his sickness. However, he would be raised up to life again "for God's glory so that His Son may be glorified through it."(John 11:4)
6. 1) What did Jesus's disciples think when He stayed where He was for two more days after hearing about Lazarus's sickness?
The disciples thought that Lazarus's sickness may not be serious, and he would be fine in a couple of days. The disciples also knew that the Jews were setting up traps for Jesus in order to kill Him. They might have also thought that Jesus was afraid of going back to Judea where He could be captured and killed.
2) What did Lazarus's sisters think?
Martha and Mary were probably disappointed because Jesus did not extend His helping hand when they needed Him the most. He did not rush to their side as they expected. They had loved Jesus, but they thought that Jesus might not have loved them as much.
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?
We tend to become resentful, and think that God might not have loved us.
4) How long should you wait for God to answer your prayers?
We should wait for God's answer for as long as we believe that God loves us. We know God answers all prayers. We should pray like what King David had expressed in Psalm 5:3, "lay my requests before you (God) and wait in expectation." Jesus had also told us in Mark 11:22-24, "Have faith in God. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." We should always believe that God loves us. If God has not answered your prayer, do believe in your heart that He will and his timetable is best for you. Sometimes the answer you are waiting for is not the answer you get.
7. Why did Jesus stay where He was for two more days after he heard that Lazarus was seriously ill?
Jesus knew that he was going to die in a short while, so He wanted to give the best gift to the family He loved. During His ministry, Jesus had performed many miracles of healing. He healed the officer's dying child, healed a crippled man at the pool of Bethesda, and gave sight to a man who was born blind. Lazarus and his family were special to Jesus, and He was going to give them the faith dealing with death, the faith of resurrection.
8. What did Jesus mean by "twelve hours of day light" in verse 9?
1)We can only work during daytime, because there is light and we would not stumble. 2)God is in charge of the entire universe and He allows 12 hours of daylight, during which everyone has enough time to work for God's glory. John the Baptist died at the age of 30, and Jesus died at the age of 33, but they had enough time to finish all that God had sent them to do. There is no need for us to hurry to finish God's work for God has given us enough time. 3)On the other hand, time is limited and precious. We should not waste the time that God has given us, and we have to finish everyday work on time.
9. What did Jesus mean when he said a man "sees by this world's light"?
1)Jesus is "the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5). When He was in the world, the disciples must follow Jesus to do the work of God according to His timetable. 2)Moreover, the light was the wisdom of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Under the Light of Jesus, we do the will of God, and no one would walk in darkness(spiritual blindness).
10. What does "stumble" mean?
For Christians, "stumble" means losing our faith and doubting God's love. As we walk in the darkness, we stumble and commit sin.
11. 1) What did the disciples think when Jesus said, "Lazarus has fallen sleep; but I am going there to wake him up"?
The disciples thought that Lazarus has fallen sleep. They were puzzled that why Jesus should go to wake him up risking their lives in Judea.
2) How would you express the answer to previous question in modern terms?
Jesus was try to tell His disciples that Lazarus had died, but the disciple thought Lazarus had fallen asleep. Such misunderstanding is called a communication gap.
3) Can you give a similar illustration?
In the modern world, the new technology is so advanced that we can only understand a very small portion of what is around us. In a family, there are often communication gaps between a husband and wife. Although husband and wife are supposed to know each other inside and out, they often speak in one way but think in a totally different way. Communication gap is thus arisen.
12. 1) What are the similarities between death and sleep?
Sleeping and death are similar because they are both a form of resting, without any conscious thoughts or movements.
2) Are there any other religions that also view death as sleeping?
Christians have the faith that they will surely wake up at a time from their sleep (or death). No other religions offer such hope of resurrection at all.
13. What did Jesus imply when He said, "Lazarus has fallen sleep"?
When He said, "Lazarus has fallen sleep," Jesus knew that Lazarus would be raised up from death upon His arrival. Christians have the faith that they will surely wake up (resurrection) from their sleep (death) at the His second coming in the air. No other religions offer such hope of resurrection at all.
14. What were the disciples thinking when they replied, "If he sleeps, he will get better"?
Sick people require a lot of rest to get better. As long as they sleep, they will soon feel better as they wake up. Disciple thought Lazarus was sleeping, and He would get better soon. It was not necessary for Jesus to risk His life to go to Judea and wake Lazarus up.
