Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead

Bible Point:
Jesus gives us hope of eternal life.

Key Verse:
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies’ ” (John 11:25).



To get started, think about:

• When does time fly for you? When does it drag?

• Suppose that you knew that either something completely delightful or devastatingly dreadful
would happen in the next year. Do you think time would go slowly or quickly?



Bible Exploration: Read John 11:2-45


• Would Jesus have brought Lazarus back to life if Martha had not believed? Why or why not? Why is believing in God—who he is, what he can do—so important to us and to God?

• How did the hope of eternal life change for the people in this story before and after Lazarus was brought back to life?

• How do you think the way these people lived their lives and thought about their lives was different after Lazarus was raised from the dead?



To Discuss and apply to life:

• Do you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist? Why do you think you lean that way? How has hopefulness—or hopelessness—affected your life? Does the hope or fear of heaven affect your optimistism or pessimism?

Family Challenge:

• Gather together as a family. Make a list of people you know who would be willing to answer the question, What do you think will happen to you after you die? Later, spend time
  sharing and discussing the answers you heard. Spend some time together creating a poster titled “What Heaven Will Be Like.” Have family members add illustrations, simple pictures, or words to describe what life might be like in heaven—or what they wish it will be
  like.

Jesus Tells About the Good Samaritan

Bible Point: Jesus says to love others as ourselves

Key Verse: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each others, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

Luke 10:25-37

To think about:
• Were you surprised that the priest and the Levite in the parable
responded the way they did? Why or why not? What are some
modern-day illustrations of this type of response?
• What did the Samaritan in the parable reveal about himself?
• If you were the expert in Mosaic law, how might you have felt at
the end of Jesus’ parable? Why?

To discuss:
• Is it easy for you to ask God to meet your needs? Why or why not?
• Think quietly about a time you really needed help. How did you feel during that time?
Did you find it easy to ask someone else for help? Why or why not?
• Why do you think we sometimes avoid people who have obvious
needs—such as people who are angry, who ridicule God, or those
who are mentally or physically challenged?

Family Challenge:

• Come up with one random act of kindness you’ll commit
  to this week for a co-worker, neighbor or someone with an obvious need, either anonymously or not. Write an uplifting note, take him or her out for lunch, be creative!Come up with a plan, then do it!

The Israelites Cross the Jordan River

Read Joshua 3:1-4:24


Bible Point: Remember What God has Done

To think about and discuss:

• How do we anticipate that God will do amazing things? Do you anticipate that he will answer your prayers or do you prepare for the negative answer? Is it dangerous to feel too positive or too negative about a prayer request?
• What kind of treasures do you have that reminds you of the amazing things that God has done for you? What in your home can prompt your children or visitors to ask about the meaning?

Family Worship challenge:

• Put a bowl on the dining table and encourage each member in your family to put something in it that reminds them of what God has done for them. Each night at dinner, talk about an item and let your prayer before the meal focus on thanking God.