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Why is "Jesus wept" more than the shortest verse in the Bible?
In "Word Focus" William Sillings writes:
John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, but it is heavy with meaning. Jesus wept (edakrusen — aorist). The word itself means “to shed tears,” but the aorist signifies that He burst into tears. While Jesus was very God of very God, He was also very man of very man. The humanity He experienced was as real as yours and mine, and the tears He shed here are likely to be nothing less than the tears of sorrow over the loss of a friend to death, the enemy of all life. They were probably tears of sympathy for the family members, Mary and Martha. These people were, after all, some of His closest friends outside of the twelve. Jesus had spent many hours in the home of these fine friends, and He was saddened by their sadness.
Discussion: How does our viewing of John 11:35 as merely the shortest verse in the Bible obscure our understanding of the importance of what it teaches us about Jesus?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 69.
Facing Reality
Read John 11:11-15
“Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (v. 14)
Recently, this fifty-two-year-old played football with teens. Early into the game, I caught a pass and ran toward the goal. A teen cut me off, so I tried what would have worked years ago, which is stopping abruptly, cutting to the side and running around everyone. The stopping abruptly part worked, but cutting to the side and running around everyone failed miserably. My brain had been living in a fantasy world of how things used to be.
We drift between two worlds. The first is imaginary — how things “should” be. The second is reality. Some spend so much time in the first that they never realize their potential for the second. In verse 12, the disciples are living in a world of optimism, believing Lazarus is sleeping. In verse 14, Jesus brings them back to reality. Lazarus is dead. It was difficult for the disciples to accept this news, but it set the stage for a great miracle. (DWM)
This devotional is the Tuesday, February 16, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Which should we stress in Sunday School – real-life issues or Bible content?
"Which is more important in Christian teaching - dealing with real-life issues or communicating Bible content?" If you think this is a trick question, you're right! Both elements are essential for faithful Christian teaching. If the Bible is not taught, we have little authority for what we teach. If we fail to address life issues, then our lesson risks becoming stale theology. In truth, the Gospel separated from real life is truly not Good News.
These lessons have been developed with the purpose of both addressing real-life issues and communicating the timeless truth of God's Word. Yet you may need to tailor these lessons to address your students' specific needs. Furthermore, while this lesson has been developed with the intention of giving you more than enough material to teach the week's Scripture passage, further study made be needed to understand what God's Word is saying to you and your class.
Source: Haystead, Wes (2005). The 21st Century Sunday School: Strategies for Today and Tomorrow. Cincinnati, OH: The Standard Publishing Company. p.16
The Giver of Life
Lesson 12 - February 21, 2016
Focus Text: John 11:31-44
Central Truth: Jesus is our source of life.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state ways the understanding that Jesus is the giver of life changes our search for purpose and fulfillment.
Lesson Outline:
- Great Need (John 11:1-19)
- Great Perplexity (John 11:20-37)
- Great Victory (John 11:38-44)
Prayer – Lesson 11: Faith Rewarded
Heavenly Father, bless our classes today with Your Presence. Challenge our faith. Help us to believe You for great things. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Why does God provides miracles?
In "God's Word for Today", David Fry writes:
The reason for miracles is for us to accept Jesus Christ as the true God. The greatest faith, according to Jesus, is the faith of those who simply believe Him and do not ask for signs and wonders. I am reminded that the reason Gideon asked God for a sign was because of the uncertainty of his faith. Our asking God for a sign may reflect an uncertainty in our faith, or it may be our lack of understanding of God’s will. Either way, Jesus made it clear that our faith should not be dependent on Him performing signs and wonders for us.
The nobleman is an example of simple faith... Simple faith believes what it understands and seeks understanding of what it does not know.
Discussion: What is the reason many people think God performs miracles?
Discussion: How can understanding why God performs miracles encourage our faith in Him?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 66.