John 11:45-54 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 11:45-54.
  2. What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they? Anyone new?
  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. Do you notice any comments by the narrator?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. What are the responses to the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead?
    1. How is it that the same act resulted in belief for some and hatred for others?
    2. Sometimes people say that if God would just show them a sign, then they would believe. What does this text tell us about people who do see signs?
  2. What is the reason that the chief priests and Pharisees are so upset with Jesus?
    1. What does Caiaphas mean when he says "it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish"?
    2. Read Acts 2:23. What does this tell you about the Jews' plan to kill Jesus?
    3. What does John, the narrator, mean when he says that Caiaphas "did not say this of his own accord"?
    4. How could you use this verse to talk about the gospel? (What is the reason Jesus died?)
  3. Who is the "nation" that keeps being referred to?
    1. Who are "the children of God who are scattered abroad"? (John 11:52)
    2. What is the hope of these children?
  4. Why do you think Jesus no longer walked openly after these things? (John 11:54)

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Who are "the children of God who are scattered abroad" today?
    1. Read John 1:12. What is our role in them becoming children of God?
  2. How do the responses to this amazing miracle in John 11 make you think about your own evangelism?
    1. What kind of response(s) should we expect as we share the gospel?
    2. How can we grow in trusting God with gospel responses?
  3. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  4. Sing How Sweet and Awesome to God and to one another.

John 11:45-54 | Bible Study Questions

Observation

What does it say?

  1. Read John 11:45-54.
  2. What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they? Anyone new?
  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. Do you notice any comments by the narrator?

INTERPRETATION

What does it mean?

  1. What are the responses to the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead?
    1. How is it that the same act resulted in belief for some and hatred for others?
    2. Sometimes people say that if God would just show them a sign, then they would believe. What does this text tell us about people who do see signs?
  2. What is the reason that the chief priests and Pharisees are so upset with Jesus?
    1. What does Caiaphas mean when he says "it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish"?
    2. Read Acts 2:23. What does this tell you about the Jews' plan to kill Jesus?
    3. What does John, the narrator, mean when he says that Caiaphas "did not say this of his own accord"?
    4. How could you use this verse to talk about the gospel? (What is the reason Jesus died?)
  3. Who is the "nation" that keeps being referred to?
    1. Who are "the children of God who are scattered abroad"? (John 11:52)
    2. What is the hope of these children?
  4. Why do you think Jesus no longer walked openly after these things? (John 11:54)

APPLICATION

How should it change us?

  1. Who are "the children of God who are scattered abroad" today?
    1. Read John 1:12. What is our role in them becoming children of God?
  2. How do the responses to this amazing miracle in John 11 make you think about your own evangelism?
    1. What kind of response(s) should we expect as we share the gospel?
    2. How can we grow in trusting God with gospel responses?
  3. Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
  4. Sing How Sweet and Awesome to God and to one another.