Receive (20 mins):
Open your time in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you.
Listen to this devotion on Psalm 6 (The reading is included. Follow along in your Bible.)
- Spend some time in personal reflection and prayer. (5 mins)
- Share with the group what God has been speaking to you. Is there a challenge for you? Have you been impressed with a particular characteristic of God? (10 mins).
- Pray together, responding to what God has been showing you in this Psalm. (5 mins)
Read (20 mins):
This is a long passage. We will focus on particular sections but will assume that you are aware of the whole story found in John 11.
- Share a time when you felt confused or even angry that God did not answer your prayer as you asked. Have you gone through times where you questioned God’s love or God’s sovereignty?
Read John 11:4-8; 32-37
- How do you hold together Jesus’ love with His apparent inaction? How is it possible for Jesus to love and be so deeply moved and yet do nothing to alleviate the suffering?
Read John 11:45-54
- What did it cost Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead? What does this show us about Jesus’ motives and desires?
- What impact does the reality of Jesus’ suffering have on your understanding of the pain and suffering in your life and in the world?
Respond (20 mins):
Spend a few minutes in personal reflection. What is the Holy Spirit impressing on your heart? (3 mins)
- Take time to share how the Holy Spirit is challenging you. How can you be accountable to each other? Consider keeping a record for the purposes of prayer and accountability. (12 mins)
- Pray for each other. (5 mins)