Read: John 11:5-6, 2 Peter 3:9a, Romans 8:28, Proverbs 3:5-6
How do today’s scriptures directly address life’s challenges? (i.e., God’s motive for seemingly slow responses)
In what way does this also address the root cause of worry or fear? How can this be easily missed? Be specific.
What typically causes you to freak out and be spiritually impatient? How has today’s devotion brought clarify?
Read: John 11:5-6, Psalm 18:30, Romans 11:33-36, Galatians 4:4
How does scripture describe God’s wisdom and understanding? How can this also relate to His timing?
How does Jesus’ delayed response to Lazarus severe condition highlight this truth? Be specific.
In what way does this help you trust God for His timing in your struggle? Where can you apply this truth today?
Read: John 11:5-6, 2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4
How could the delay of Jesus have felt unloving? What was ultimately prompting His “lack” of response?
What are some other ways Jesus could have responded but didn’t? What does this highlight about God’s plan?
Why will this truth always be a struggle during challenging times? How will you apply this to a current struggle?
Read: John 11:1-4, 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Given Paul the Apostle was a man used by God, how does his life challenge your perspective of Christianity?
Why will a perspective that Christians are insulated from daily struggles always lead to a freak out? Be specific.
What can cause you to easily freak out, worry, or become anxious? How do you need to adjust your perspective?
Read: John 11:1-4, Matthew 6:25-33, 10:29-31, Job 37:5
In what way would the response of Jesus in verse 4 have been challenging or confusing to Martha and Mary?
Given we know Lazarus ended up dying, how would verse 4 have seemed like a lie or unfulfilled promise?
What does this teach about our perspective when life gets challenging? How are you encouraged by this truth?
Read: John 11:1-3, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 10:38-42
In what way were Mary and Martha freaking out about their brother Lazarus? How would you have felt?
How would their past experiences have influenced their request of Jesus? How would you have felt the same?
Given the relational dynamic, how might Martha and Mary struggled to see God’s plan? How does this help you?
Read: Luke 1:26-38, 46-56, 2:21-35, 41-48, John 2:1-5, 19:25-27
Throughout Jesus’ life we see a unique and special relationship between mother and son. Explain.
What does this implicitly teach about God’s plan for moms and their kids? How is it different than dads?
What is God teaching you about being a mom or valuing motherhood? How has culture pushed back?
Read: 2 Timothy 1:2-5, Exodus 1:15-2:10
How did Eunice and Lois protect Timothy? How did Moses’ mother do the same?
How did Eunice and Lois play a special role in God’s plan? How did Moses’ mom play a similar role?
What does this teach you about the legacy of motherhood? Give an example from your own life.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:2-5, Acts 16:1
In what way did Timothy’s mom and grandma ultimately influence his call into ministry?
Why is this important for every mom to remember? How does this encourage and create accountability?
How is culture trying to minimize this truth? Describe how you’ve personally experienced a mom’s legacy.
Read: Genesis 1:26-28, John 15:7, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Philippians 4:6-7, James 5:16
Why should prayer be an important topic when it comes to motherhood? (Hint: God-given role)
What distinction is important to make when it comes to “answered” prayer? (Hint: the unexpected)
What can happen if moms miss this truth? How do you see God answering prayer in your family’s life?
Read: Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-24, Psalm 127:3
When God made man and woman, what did He tell them to do? What is the context for this instruction?
What does this imply about why God made woman? Be specific. How is motherhood a divine role?
How is culture trying to redefine a mom today? How does God’s view on motherhood encourage you?
Read: John 10:30-42
If you compare the responses of the Jerusalem audience and the Jordan audience to Jesus, what does this highlight?
In what ways does this relate more to the audience than the messenger? Why is this important to recognize?
Describe your experience with people accepting and/or rejecting you based on your faith? What does this teach you?
Read: John 10:40-42, Matthew 9:37, 28:18-19, Romans 10:14-15
Given Jesus was always engaged in evangelism, what principle is being taught by the responses to Jesus?
How does this also relate to Christians and evangelism? What has been your experience with this truth?
Given every Christian is called to share their faith, how does the Jordan crowd encourage you? Be specific.
Read: John 10:40-42, 15:20b, Matthew 5:14-16
Why did Jesus head back across the Jordan? How would this have been a safe haven compared to Jerusalem?
What was the response of the crowd to Jesus? In what way was this the opposite response in Jerusalem? Why?
How did the Jordan crowd follow what Jesus was trying to teach in Jerusalem? What does this highlight?
Read: John 10:30-39, 15:20a, 2 Corinthians 11:23-26, Ephesians 6:12
Why were the Jews trying to trap Jesus and get rid of him? How does spiritual warfare play into the situation?
Why will Christians experience the same type of rejection from non-Christians? Why can’t this be prevented?
How comfortable are you with being rejected for your faith? What is God teaching you about people pleasing?
Read: John 10:30-36, Psalm 82:6, Matthew 22:41-46
Why did the Jews want to stone Jesus? How did Jesus respond to their accusation? Be specific.
Describe the circumstances where this has happened before. How did the Jews respond?
What does this teach you about people who will reject Jesus? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 10:30-33, 8:58-59, 5:17-18
How did the religious leaders respond to Jesus and His claims in relation to the Father? Why?
How do you think they would have responded to anyone else who made the same statement? Why?
What does this highlight when people feel threatened? How does this help you understand what is going on today?
Read: John 10:28-29, Luke 8:26-37
In what way did the demons’ response to Jesus demonstrate His authority over Satan and our spiritual battle?
In what way did Jesus casting out demons also demonstrate His ability to fulfill John 10:28? Be specific.
Take a moment now to pray and thank Jesus for winning our spiritual battle. Write out any insight He gives you.
Read: John 10:28-29, Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 4:1-4
What did Jesus mean when he said, “no one will snatch them out of my hand” in terms of a spiritual battle?
Why should this be an encouragement to every Christian in today’s upside-down world?
How often do you consider your spiritual battle? Why? In what way does this encourage you about the future?
Read: John 10:28-29, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Romans 8:1, 35-39
What did Jesus essentially guarantee to all Christians? How would this have challenged a legalistic mindset?
Explain how this truth could foster a self-confidence rather than a confidence in Jesus.
In what way could this also be a counterculturally prospective today? How does this adjust you?
Read: John 10:27, 15:5-15, 1 John 4:11-16
In John 15 how did Jesus expand on the truth of John 10:27 when talking about the vine and the branches?
What does this ultimately look like in the life of a believer? What will this expose about a non-believer?
How do you see this revealed in your life? Be specific. In what way does this challenge you?
Read: John 10:22-27, Matthew 28:19-20, James 2:14-17, Ephesians 2:8-9
How did Jesus view the Jews who asked Him a question? What was the determining factor? (Hint: “follow”)
What distinction does this highlight between faith and obedience? Explain how this can get confused.
Why is this important for confirming authentic faith? Why is this important for becoming a Christian?
