Bible Study Notes
Bible Study Guide with Leader’s Notes
Study Title:
When Jesus Feels Late—but Is Right on Time
Passage: John 11:17–44 (NIV)
Theme Statement:
Jesus is the resurrection and the life—He meets us in our delays, reveals His identity in our doubts, walks with us in our pain, calls us to obedience, and demonstrates His power by bringing life out of death.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts. As we study Your Word, speak to us clearly and personally. Strengthen our faith, especially in seasons of waiting and uncertainty. Help us see Jesus more clearly as our life and hope. Transform us through Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Icebreaker Questions (5–10 minutes)
1. Have you ever waited for something important that felt delayed? How did it affect you?
Possible Responses:
Felt frustrated or anxious
Learned patience over time
Questioned timing or expectations
2. What is your usual response when things don’t go according to plan?
Possible Responses:
Try to control the situation
Feel discouraged or confused
Turn to prayer and trust God
3. When you think of “hope,” what comes to mind?
Possible Responses:
Future outcomes improving
Trusting God’s promises
Finding peace in uncertainty
Scripture Reading
Primary Passage: John 11:17–44 (NIV)
Encourage someone in the group to read the passage aloud.
Optional Supporting Verses:
Ecclesiastes 3:11
Psalm 34:18
Romans 8:11
Bible Study Section 1: The Delay That Develops Faith
Scripture Focus: John 11:17–21
Observation Questions
1. How long had Lazarus been in the tomb when Jesus arrived?
Answer: Four days
2. What did Martha say to Jesus?
Answer: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
3. What does this reveal about Martha’s belief?
Answer: She believed Jesus could heal, but struggled with His timing
Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus allow the delay?
Answer: To reveal God’s glory and deepen faith
2. What does Martha’s statement reveal about human expectations of God?
Answer: We often expect God to act according to our timing
3. How can delay strengthen faith?
Answer: It forces trust beyond visible outcomes
Application Questions
1. Where in your life do you feel God has delayed?
2. How do you typically respond to waiting?
3. What would it look like to trust God in this season?
Leader Notes Teaching Insight
In Jewish belief, the fourth day signified irreversible death. Jesus intentionally waited, not out of neglect, but to demonstrate greater power. God’s timing is purposeful, not accidental.
Discussion Guidance
Affirm honest struggles with waiting
Encourage vulnerability without forcing it
Keep pointing back to God’s character
Key Point:
God’s delays are not His denials—they are opportunities to deepen our faith.
Bible Study Section 2: The Declaration That Defines Life
Scripture Focus: John 11:22–27
Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus declare about Himself?
Answer: “I am the resurrection and the life”
2. What question does Jesus ask Martha?
Answer: “Do you believe this?”
3. How does Martha respond?
Answer: She affirms her belief in Him as the Messiah
Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life”?
Answer: He is the source of eternal life and victory over death
2. How does Jesus shift Martha’s understanding?
Answer: From future hope to present reality
3. Why is belief central in this passage?
Answer: Faith connects us to Christ’s life
Application Questions
1. Is your faith more focused on outcomes or on Jesus Himself?
2. What does trusting Jesus today look like for you?
3. How can you grow in personal belief, not just knowledge?
Leader Notes Teaching Insight
Jesus uses one of His “I AM” statements, echoing divine identity. He is not just giving life—He is life itself.
Discussion Guidance
Clarify difference between knowing about Jesus and trusting Him
Invite participants to share personal faith experiences
Key Point:
True faith is rooted in who Jesus is, not just what He does.
Bible Study Section 3: The Distress That Displays Compassion
Scripture Focus: John 11:28–37
Observation Questions
1. What does Mary do when she sees Jesus?
Answer: Falls at His feet and weeps
2. How does Jesus respond emotionally?
Answer: He is deeply moved and weeps
3. What do others observe about Jesus?
Answer: That He loved Lazarus
Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus weep even though He knew He would raise Lazarus?
Answer: He shared in human grief and showed compassion
2. What does this reveal about God’s nature?
Answer: He is emotionally present and compassionate
3. How does this challenge our view of suffering?
Answer: God is present in pain, not absent
Application Questions
1. How do you respond to pain—draw closer to God or pull away?
2. Where do you need to experience God’s compassion today?
3. How can you show Christlike compassion to others?
Leader Notes Teaching Insight
“Jesus wept” reveals both divine power and human empathy. Christianity uniquely presents a God who suffers with His people.
Discussion Guidance
Allow space for emotional responses
Avoid rushing through this section
Emphasize God’s nearness
Key Point:
Jesus is not distant in our pain—He is deeply present with us.
Bible Study Section 4: The Obedience That Precedes the Miracle
Scripture Focus: John 11:38–40
Observation Questions
1. What command does Jesus give?
Answer: “Take away the stone”
2. How does Martha respond?
Answer: She hesitates due to the odor
3. What promise does Jesus remind her of?
Answer: She will see God’s glory if she believes
Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus involve others in removing the stone?
Answer: To require faith and participation
2. What does the stone symbolize?
Answer: Barriers like fear, doubt, or resistance
3. How is obedience connected to faith?
Answer: Faith is demonstrated through action
Application Questions
1. What “stone” might God be asking you to remove?
2. What step of obedience have you been delaying?
3. How can you act in faith this week?
Leader Notes Teaching Insight
God often invites human participation in divine miracles. Obedience positions us for
breakthrough.
Discussion Guidance
Encourage practical examples
Help participants identify real-life “stones”
Key Point:
Obedience prepares the way for God’s power to be revealed.
Bible Study Section 5: The Power That Brings Life
Scripture Focus: John 11:41–44
Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus do before calling Lazarus out? Answer: Prays to the Father
2. What command does Jesus give?
Answer: “Lazarus, come out!”
3. What happens next? Answer: Lazarus comes out alive
Interpretation Questions
1. What does this miracle reveal about Jesus? Answer: His authority over death
2. Why does Jesus involve others in unbinding Lazarus?
Answer: To show community’s role in growth
3. What is the significance of the grave clothes?
Answer: Ongoing transformation after new life
Application Questions
1. What area of your life needs resurrection power?
2. Are you listening to God’s voice calling you forward?
3. Who can help you walk in spiritual freedom?
Leader Notes Teaching Insight
This miracle foreshadows Jesus’ own resurrection. It demonstrates both immediate life and ongoing transformation.
Discussion Guidance
Emphasize hope and victory
Encourage testimonies if appropriate
Key Point:
Jesus has power over every “dead” situation and calls us into new life.
Supporting Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God’s perfect timing
Psalm 34:18 – God’s presence in brokenness
Romans 8:11 – Resurrection power in believers
Hebrews 11:6 – Faith that pleases God
Key Takeaways
1. God’s delays are purposeful, not accidental.
2. Jesus is not just the giver of life—He is life itself.
3. God is present and compassionate in our pain.
4. Obedience positions us for breakthrough.
5. Jesus has power over every impossible situation.
Personal Reflection Questions
1. Where am I struggling to trust God’s timing?
2. Do I truly believe Jesus is enough, even without immediate answers?
3. What step of obedience is God asking me to take?
Weekly Life Application
This week, identify one area where you’ve been waiting on God. Instead of focusing on the delay, shift your focus to trust and obedience. Take one concrete step of faith—whether it’s prayer, reconciliation, or surrender. Write down what God is teaching you in the process.
Look for ways God may be working beneath the surface, and remain expectant for His timing and power to be revealed.
Closing Prayer
My Lord, thank You for reminding us that You are never late. Strengthen our faith in seasons of waiting. Help us trust Your timing, obey Your voice, and rest in Your presence. Bring life where we see death, and hope where we feel discouraged. Use our lives as testimonies of Your power and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REJOICE CHURCH
3578 Clayton Road, Concord, CA 94565
925.325.1902
Links
Copyright © 2026 | Powered by 
churchtrac
churchtrac