Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: March 28, 2010
Sermon Title: Wanted Man
Sermon Text: John 11-12
Small Group Text: John 11:17-44
Introduction
Just a few pages ahead, in the Gospel of John (14:12), Jesus tells his followers that not only will they do what he has been doing – they will do even greater things! I’m sure that started them thinking back to the amazing things they had seen Jesus do throughout his ministry. But the one miracle that probably caught their attention most was the one we’re studying today. This is the last of seven miracles John recorded; and it is, by far, the most significant. Jesus brings a dead man back to life. Surely Jesus wasn’t inferring that his followers – like you and me – would ever be able to bring people back from the dead! But, in fact, that’s exactly what he meant. We’re going to take a look at how Jesus used this miracle as an object lesson to inspire his followers to be on mission with him in restoring “dead” people to life.
Discussion
Read John 11:17-44. 1. Let’s begin by identifying the kind of “death” from which people can be called back to life through the power of Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 2:1-7. In what sense are people “dead” if they do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? 2. From your perspective, what effect has sin and spiritual death had upon the world in general? Where do you see its effect in your corner of the world? 3. John 11:33-38 records an amazing thing: Jesus (God, himself) was emotionally moved while at the graveside of Lazarus – to the point of tears. Why do you think Jesus wept? 4. What does Jesus do in John 11:41-44 that “wakes the dead?”
5. Let’s briefly retrace a pattern in Jesus’ ministry to set the backdrop for this miracle of calling dead people back to life. In each miracle recorded in John’s Gospel, Jesus ministered to people in life-affirming ways culminating in water for the thirsty, food for the hungry, sight for the blind, healing for the crippled, and life for the dead – to name a few! But it is noteworthy that in each case, prior to liberating people from the effects of sin and death, Jesus first extended grace and truth – never condemnation. Read John 3:17. What does Jesus offer instead of condemnation? Read Luke 4:22. What do you think Luke meant by “gracious words?” 6. Before Jesus ever extended grace and truth, he saw people and the damaging – even fatal – effect sin and death had on their lives. In essence, he saw “dead people.” Read Matthew 9:36. How do people in your world seem “harassed and helpless?” 7. How is it possible that we can be surrounded every day by “dead people” and not recognize that they are harassed and helpless?
Application
We (the body of Christ) are called and empowered to live out Jesus’ pattern:
He saw people and the effect of sin and death on their lives. • He spoke grace and truth into their lives. • He called them out of death and into new and eternal life. 1. Identify someone you encounter on a regular basis but never really “see.” Talk to this person this week; find out something about him/her. Maybe their name, or something about their family; where they’re from or what they do for fun. Make a conscious effort to really “see” (notice) this person – for 30 days, a whole month. •
2. Practice using “gracious words” with this person each time you see him /her. 3. Pray for this person; and pray that God would give you the sensitivity and the opportunity to share “words of life.”
Sermon-Based Curriculum