John 11:17-44 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 11:17-44.
  2. What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they?
  3. Do you notice any repeated words or ideas? (even words/ideas that connect to previous sections of John)
  4. How is Jesus described in this chapter? (by himself or by others)
  5. What emotions do you see in this chapter?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. The "I am" statements in John are very important. What does it mean that Jesus is "the resurrection and the life"? (John 11:25-26)
    1. Do you think Jesus using 2 different words to describe the same thing, or do you think he's describing two different aspects about himself?
    2. How does this response answer Martha's statement to Jesus in verse 24?
  2. What do Jesus' tears tell you about him?
    1. Why do you think that Jesus "wept" and "was deeply moved" even though he could have kept Lazarus from dying?
    2. Read Romans 12:15. How does Jesus' example help you think about this command?
  3. What purpose(s) did Jesus' prayer have in John 11:40-42?
    1. How does Jesus' miracle help the people believe that God the Father had sent God the Son?
    2. What significance is there that Jesus says, "Unbind him, and let him go"?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Has there ever been a situation in your life when you questioned why God did not intervene?
    1. How does this passage encourage you?
  2. Are you ever afraid to ask God the questions that are on your heart?
    1. How does this passage encourage you to take your questions, struggles and fears to the Lord?
    2. How does the language of lament help us deal with difficult or sad things?
  3. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  4. Sing Christ Our Hope in Life and Death to God and to one another.

John 11:17-44 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 11:17-44.
  2. What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they?
  3. Do you notice any repeated words or ideas? (even words/ideas that connect to previous sections of John)
  4. How is Jesus described in this chapter? (by himself or by others)
  5. What emotions do you see in this chapter?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. The "I am" statements in John are very important. What does it mean that Jesus is "the resurrection and the life"? (John 11:25-26)
    1. Do you think Jesus using 2 different words to describe the same thing, or do you think he's describing two different aspects about himself?
    2. How does this response answer Martha's statement to Jesus in verse 24?
  2. What do Jesus' tears tell you about him?
    1. Why do you think that Jesus "wept" and "was deeply moved" even though he could have kept Lazarus from dying?
    2. Read Romans 12:15. How does Jesus' example help you think about this command?
  3. What purpose(s) did Jesus' prayer have in John 11:40-42?
    1. How does Jesus' miracle help the people believe that God the Father had sent God the Son?
    2. What significance is there that Jesus says, "Unbind him, and let him go"?

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Has there ever been a situation in your life when you questioned why God did not intervene?
    1. How does this passage encourage you?
  2. Are you ever afraid to ask God the questions that are on your heart?
    1. How does this passage encourage you to take your questions, struggles and fears to the Lord?
    2. How does the language of lament help us deal with difficult or sad things?
  3. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  4. Sing Christ Our Hope in Life and Death to God and to one another.