When anyone chooses to believe in the transformative power of Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they don't simply go from being a bad person who used to do bad things to a good person does good things. Instead, they go from being a person who was dead in every way imaginable to a person who is alive in every way imaginable. The only problem is that living a resurrected life will make you a threat to those who are comfortable with their death. This resurrected life might cause some problems for you like it did for Lazarus and Jesus.

Let's read together.

Grow Together

Read this from the Bible together:

John 12:9-11

9 Then a large crowd of the Jews learned he was there. They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, the one he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also, 11 because he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

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Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…

They came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus. Those who are walking in the life of Jesus are proof of the possibility of change just by breathing. Have you ever had someone notice deep change in you whether behaviorally or emotionally and you've been able to point them to Jesus as the reason? What was that change?

But the chief priests had decided to kill Lazarus also. The chief priests were threatened by Lazarus' presence because he was an undeniable witness to the world of Jesus' power. Their solution was to kill him. Again. Have you ever experienced a very disorienting time in your faith where it felt like your faith was being hunted by "chief priests"? Outside of a physical person, what has the potential to kill your faith in this season? What part of the new life in you is the enemy attempting to destroy?

...he was the reason many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus. Being dead and then made alive is the greatest reason for anyone to believe in Jesus. Could someone say this Lazarus statement about you? Has your faith been the reason someone else found theirs?

Next Steps

"Real change will create conflict." Do you avoid conflict? Do you rely on it? What role has conflict played in your relationship with Jesus and the change he is developing within you?

“Sin will keep taking ground until it hijacks your foundation." Do you believe you have your sin under control? What do you think about Brian's statement that sin is wildly contagious and it demands full removal instead of management.

"Are you desperate for hope and change or desperately hoping you never have to change?" There are two groups of people in this story and all throughout the Bible. One group that is desperate for change and one that desperately wants to avoid it. Which group do you more identify with? Have you ever been or are currently someone who has become hostile to change? In what ways?