Sharing Laughs & Tears

Sharing Laughs & Tears                                          5-17-20

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Introduction: Read Romans 12:9-16 (MSG)

 A. How many times in life have you said, “I wish I could have been there?”

   1. For me: my Dad, Mom, David, & Larry – I wasn’t there!

   2. Be there to comfort, support and to just be present

 B. In John 11, Jesus is told that his friend Lazarus is sick.

   1. vs.3, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

   2. Waits two days and travels slowly several days! Four days dead!

   3. Wanted to be there but couldn’t! God had a plan.

 C. Bigger things are being shared…

1. Jesus wanted his apostles to learn and grow from this. Vs.11-16

 A. They had questions, doubts, and fears! Like we do during loss.

 B. They needed to learn to trust Jesus!  So do we!

 C. They needed to stretch and grow their faith! Learn & grow!

2. Jesus wanted Mary and Martha to know that God was always there with them!

 A. “If you had been here…but God will give you whatever you ask.”

 B. “I am the resurrection” = God! Martha believed he was the Messiah

 C. Mary’s confession – you can heal but nothing more! Faith & learning

3. Jesus wants us to know that they (God & Jesus) understand our hurt!

 A. “deeply moved” – “Jesus wept” = shared hurt, even knowing the end

 B. “See how he loved him” = shared love

 C. vs.41-42, Prayer is an act of faith and healing = shared prayer

Conclusion:

A. A lesson about the power of presence!

B. A lesson about the definition of sincere love! Rom.12:9 and 15

C. A lesson about connection! God made us relational & empathetic

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Bible Study from: Sharing Laughs & Tears

Sunday, May 17, 2020

1.  Has there been times in your life when you wish you could have been present to help someone through their difficult times?

2.  When Jesus was told that Lazarus was sick, how do you think it affected him to wait and not go immediately? What did the apostles think about Jesus’ response? Can you imagine their discussions?

3.  What did Jesus want his apostles to learn through the Lazarus experience? (See John 11:11-16)

4.  Both Mary & Martha hit Jesus with the “If you had been here” comment. How do you think that made Jesus feel? How would their tone of voice in saying it change things?

5.  Did Martha understand what Jesus was saying when he said, “I am the resurrection and the life”? (See vs.25-26)

6.  Why did Jesus weep when he knew what was about to happen? What does this tell us about him? What does it tell us if we are going to be like him?

7.  Why did Jesus pray? (See vs.41-42)

8.  What do you think the “power of presence” means?

9.  What is the definition of sincere love? (See Romans 12:9-15)