Main Thought
Throughout our lives, things that we don’t like or understand will happen. Even God moves in ways that we cannot understand. As a result of this, we experience disappointment, doubt, and pain. Thankfully, the reason for our belief does not depend on the results of life - it rests on “the Resurrection and the Life!” That’s a title that Jesus used for Himself. It refers to a new life in God, characterized by increasing freedom from the effects of sin and fulfillment through God’s love. If we believe this to be true about Jesus, then we can build on our belief in Him. “Building on our belief” begins with perspective. We view our lives with God in mind. Then, we place our trust in Jesus repeatedly by submitting to His will and ways. Finally, we press on in faith through every difficulty we face. If we build on our belief in Christ, then we don’t need to wait to experience “the resurrection and the life.” That can start now and last forever.
Main Passages
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
- John 11:21-27
38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”
- John 11:38-40
41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”
- John 11:41-44
Discussion Questions
What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?
When Lazarus became sick, his sisters called Jesus. Who do you call on when you need support in your walk with God? Who calls on you?
What can you do to “build your belief” in Christ, based on the Main Thought above?